Welcome to Belles and Thistles Floral Design!

My name is Jenn and I am a floral designer in the south suburbs of Chicago. I’m a creative chick who gets a kick out of creating fresh works of art out of flowers. I’m all about the details, and creating a well thought out event design. I’m a Virgo, which also means I’m a perfectionist, and that’s a good thing for you! I want everything to be perfect and I work hard to make sure it looks that way.

As a child I took an interest in the creative arts like drawing, painting, sewing, photography. I’ve always enjoyed working with my two best tools, my hands. It’s funny though, as a youngster I remember wanting to be a teacher.  And Vanna White.  But I never imagined that I’d spend my career creating beautiful flower arrangements for so many special occasions.

I went to college at The University of Illinois where I was a Liberal Arts and Sciences major with a concentration in Cinema Studies. While I do love the film industry it didn’t leave a lot of career opportunities. So, I had to think outside of the movie theater for career options. To start, I worked as a cashier for a large chain drugstore, and while I enjoyed helping others, my creative side wasn’t being fulfilled and I was pretty unhappy.  Once I quit the drugstore I got a job at a local flower shop. That job, at Campus Florist in Champaign Illinois, became the stepping-stone for my entire career.  And the beginning of my friendship and ultimately this partnership with Emily.

There, I developed my passion for floral design and learned the tricks of the trade.  That job was perfect for me, and incredibly satisfying.  I was able to help others by sending sweet surprises, heartfelt condolences, and get-well wishes.  I was able to work with my hands and my artistic eye as I was being trained to design floral arrangements.  It was there, that I fell in love with the business and decided that someday I would run a successful florist of my own.  It was there, that I got the foundation of my training.

After college I moved back home and worked at a local flower shop. Though I did continue to learn new techniques and trends here, it wasn’t the right atmosphere for me to flourish, and I moved on.  Currently, I’m employed by another family owned flower shop as I hone my craft and work towards my dream.

During the last 10 years in this industry I’ve become well versed in all aspects of the floral arts, including Fresh Floral Design, Sympathy Tributes, Container Gardens, and Wedding & Special Event Design.  While my ultimate goal is to open a full service floral shop, I do have a special fondness for Weddings.  Along with some of my favorite past works, profiled at Belles and Thistles are examples of the weddings and special occasion pieces that I have designed.  (And Emily’s designs too!)

Word of mouth referrals have brought about 10 weddings my way, and I am looking to do more.  Much more.  I’m a Romantic at heart, and a hard worker.  And I can make the moments you’ll never forget – more beautiful than you’ve ever imagined them to be. What’s even better is that I’ll enjoy every minute of it.

 

I’m Emily, and I’m a traveling floral designer! I love creating personalized floral arrangements for any event. I’ve done weddings all over Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, including events in Chicago, Milwaukee, Janesville, Wauconda, Joliet, Racine, Kenosha, Madison, and surrounding areas.

I was lucky enough to find my passion for floral design fairly early in life. I joined the Horticulture Club as a freshman in high school, and by the end of the year, I was competing in floral design competitions. I couldn’t get enough! So, at the tender age of 15 I found myself a part time job working at a local flower shop.

After high school, I then moved on to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study Horticulture. My parents didn’t want me working during my freshman year, but I couldn’t stay away from flowers! Around Valentine’s Day, I poked my head into Campus Florist, one of the oldest floral businesses in town, to see if they needed any seasonal help. Three and a half years later, I had learned more than any classes could have taught me, and met my lifelong friend and partner-in-crime, Jenn.

After graduation, I headed into the wholesale end of the floral industry. My time in the wholesale aspect of the business has given me a unique perspective as a designer. I have a firm understanding of how to source the very best quality of flowers, looking at factors as variable as the time of year, the type or variety of flowers needed, even something as specific as the farm growing the flowers.

Currently, I’m back to being a full-time designer. I have now been in the industry for nearly 15 years. My passion continues to grow as I continue to create works of floral art. It’s my fondest hope that I can help you make you the floral arrangements of your dreams!

 

We Thank You for visiting!  Please contact us if we can help with any of your floral and wedding needs.