Please tell us about how you became a florist.


When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a beautiful garden full of different varieties of flowers. We made a lot of arrangements together, and that’s how I started to get a taste for it.


What exactly do floral designers do?


We bring smiles! Flowers bring happiness, and we’re the people who package up that emotion!


How did you learn the art of floral arrangement? When I came to America, I actually found a school in New Jersey that teaches it! One of my instructors saw that I had a real passion and he was able to help me find a job right after school.


What is your favorite type of event to be a part of?


I like to create for weddings. When I meet with a bride, I try to learn her personality and tastes. That gives me ideas for types of flowers and shapes of arrangements and bouquettes. Does she prefer flowers that are soft and refined, or colorful and vibrant? Weddings let me create specifically for one person. On the other hand, when I do arrangements for businesses, I get to challenge myself and create new designs.


Ava’s Flowers: (239) 580-7248 PULSE MAGAZINE


---------- 16 What are some lesser known flowers that you like to use?


Well, people know them, but I still love orchids. The variety of orchids here in Florida is amazing, and they have the most incredible colors!


Are flowers seasonal like produce, or can a person get their favorites year round?


I search for colors and textures and base my designs around what’s looking best at the time. You can get flowers all year round, but like vegetables, they’re best when in their season. For me, that means a lot of tropical flowers, designs with vibrant colors, and using various textures together.


Is there an overall philosophy that governs your work?


Flowers are beautiful and should be enjoyed. My purpose is to create arrangements that draw the eye, and to increase the natural beauty of the flowers. The arrangement should not be the focal point – the focus should be on the flowers. That means catching the eye. An arrangement that’s edgy or unexpected can often grab somebody’s attention in ways that a standard bouquet will not.


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