Thursday, October 6, 2011

Columbus Alive Article:: Style: EcoFlora

Style: EcoFlora

Wednesday October 5, 2011 8:50 PM

By Jackie Mantey

Columbus Alive
Soldiers of the “buy local” revolution have a new Clintonville base.
EcoFlora opened its retail location two weeks ago on the corner of High and Weber after a year of selling its arrangements of sustainable and organic flowers online.
The new shop offers bouquets for order and delivery, and a refrigerator of Ohio-grown flowers (owner Eva Provenzale’s main dealer is Columbus’ Sunny Meadows Flower Farm) allows customers to come in and pick their own. Lilies are $5 each, Billy Balls $1.80 each. Air plants, like the $19 large bromeliads, are available, too.
Nothing in EcoFlora is from outside the U.S., Provenzale said. The roster of artisans in the inventory are mostly from Central Ohio.
Shoppers will find Mason jar hanging light fixtures, antiqued fork picture stands and spoon bracelets from Blacklick artist Basilicus Jones; cocktail rings and asymmetrical necklaces made from repurposed jewels by Lewis Center designer The Dark at Heart; and Dia de los Muertos-inspired quilts and quilt postcards from Worthington’s 21st Century Art Quilts and Curious Goods.
A cabinet on one side of the store holds locally made eco-friendly beauty products, like lotion and balms from Crafty by Nature and bars for both humans and dogs ($5-$8) from Gretel’s Handcrafted Soap.
Provenzale’s contributions include her popular light bulb terrariums (three for $20) and a garden of found glassware that shoppers can purchase alone or as a vase for their bouquets.
“I like to be able to be creative,” Provenzale said. “And I like independent thinking.”
Photos by Jodi Miller