TAFE floristry: make your own arrangements

Learn floristry skills from teachers who have a passion for flowers.

Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE teacher Elzbieta Wakeham demonstrates flower arranging.

The Art of Floristry, Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE, Ryde campus, 250 Blaxland Road,
Ryde, NSW 2112. Acting head teacher: Elzbieta Wakeham

DESCRIBE YOUR COURSES: We offer Certificate II, III and IV level courses for study full time, or part time during the day or evenings. We also offer many short courses to give people a taste of what floristry is about, and workshops for professionals to update their skills. Our teachers love the industry and love passing on their skills and experience to students.

In the classroom we focus on practical floristry skills; we also have online and interactive resources. Students learn common and botanical names of flowers; how to care for them, buy them and display them for sale; how to serve customers; and most of all how to construct beautiful designs for different clients’ needs.

WHO ARE YOUR STUDENTS ? We have everyone from school-leavers to those who always loved flowers but did something else and now want to change careers, to older people who want to explore their creativity.

WHY DO YOU LOVE FLOWERS? Flowers have always been a big part of my life. As a child I loved picking them from the fields and placing them around the house. I grew up around floristry — my father was a grower and my mother had a florist shop in our little country town in Poland.

I studied physiotherapy, but when I arrived in Australia more than 20 years ago my creativity took over and I got involved in flowers again.

You never can get bored with floristry. I love all flowers but I’ve noticed my tastes differ depending on how I feel, which is reflected in the different flower types and colours I use.

WHY ARE FLOWERS SPECIAL? Each flower is a beautiful creation. Flowers can express anything we feel with style and grace. They are a language everyone understands, whether it’s a small posy or a large tribute. They can say “I love you” or “Get well soon” or “I’m sorry”. Flowers will always make a person feel better.

LATEST FLORAL TRENDS: There’s a move to be more free flowing and connected with nature, highlighting the natural beauty of flowers. The use of different succulents, sticks, shells, nuts and fruits is popular, as well as recycling containers such as jars.

ARE COMPETITIONS IMPORTANT ? They’re a wonderful chance for students to demonstrate their skills and creativity, and to work as a team.

This year we won the Royal Easter Show TAFE NSW display competition. Individual students also won prizes. We’re involved in large displays at garden shows and events, which give students vital hands-on experience for the future.

Twice a year we have a showcase at the Ryde campus of students’ final works. It’s an extravagance of colour that fills the whole floor.

The next is November 5 from 4 to 9pm, with a wedding theme, and it’s free for anyone to enjoy.

Check facebook.com/NSIFloristry.