Thursday, June 23, 2011

Who wants to TRADE!?!??!?!

City: Bartering for entrepreneurs

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Thursday, June 23, 2011  08:00 AM

Columbus Alive

The hand-knitted gloves and scarf would've cost most buyers about $50.
Local florist Eva Provenzale didn't feel like paying cash. Instead she crafted a birthday arrangement for the seamstress, and the two called it a deal.
Flowers for winter wear, even steven.
"I would do every single transaction in trade if I could," said Provenzale, who runs organic flower operation EcoFlora. "It's super fun. Everyone ends up getting a great deal."
The city's already strong entrepreneurial community has exploded lately with more people growing food, crafting clothes, sewing messenger bags, arranging flowers and bringing other ideas to life by hand.
And this set often trades what it makes for what it needs.
Nearly extirpated by credit cards and global commerce, bartering is back big time in Columbus.
"Everyone is kind of owning what they do, and I think that's why things are changing," said Provenzale, who so far has traded flowers for vases, containers, jewelry and other plants. "I think this is the way that the world should be - back to basics."
Daniel McKewen, owner of Seagull Bags, agreed.
"Most people I know that run small businesses end up spending a lot of money," he explained. "Money is flying around all over the place. It's a breath of fresh air to be able to get something or trade something that doesn't involve money."
Over the years, McKewen has traded his custom messenger bags for nearly everything: cycling gear, camping and climbing supplies, food and even mechanical work on his car.
The art of trading requires creating a quality product, making a wise switch pitch and developing relationships with people who have things you need, McKewen said.
"Bartering puts the emphasis on the individual and the relationship rather than the product," he added.
In addition to interacting with entrepreneurs, Columbus barterers often enjoy getting stuff at a lower cost and swapping out their surplus for something else.
"I usually have all the produce I need," said Becky Swingle of Dangling Carrot Farm, which sells at Pearl Market. "I gave someone tomato plants for bread. I've traded salads for cheese. Once I traded for a fancy haircut with a lot of tomatoes."

EcoFlora
Unique floral design using organic and sustainably grown flowers
614.266.1618

Monday, June 13, 2011

Tom & Becky wedding 9.25 (my birthday too!)

It has been a while since the wedding, but this week we got photos! YAY!


 This was such a fun wedding!!! I brought just a few bunches of flowers with me to the farm, where the wedding was held. When I got there, there were BUCKETS of wild flowers waiting! I did all of the arrangements (minus the bouquets) on the day of the wedding, on location!

The rain mostly held off!

This is the Groom and the Minister about 40min before the wedding!



 Shawn (best man and brother), Mom, Tom (groom)
 Patiently waiting.






Can you believe this couple has been together for 12 years! They were committed before the wedding, now they just have the lovely piece of paper!










EcoFlora
Unique floral design using organic and sustainably grown flowers
614.266.1618


Thursday, June 9, 2011

EcoFlora's article in Columbus Alive!

Q&A: Eva Provenzale

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011  07:37 PM

Columbus Alive

Eva Provenzale
Age: 25
Day job: Patient care associate, Ohio State University Medical Center
Neighborhood: Weinland Park
Hometown: Columbus
ecofloradesign.com
Petals and vases, color and glass adorn the small upstairs studio where Eva Provenzale arranges bouquets for EcoFlora, the organic floral service she started last year. On Sept. 1, she'll move her budding business into a Clintonville storefront at the corner of East Weber Road and North High Street.
The florist shared about living a life in bloom.

In Cleveland, I needed a job, so I got a job at a garden center. I loved it. I worked 60 hours a week there. They were also florists, so I got to talk to the ladies who had been there 20 years doing flower arranging.

When I moved back home, there was a flower shop opening up near my parents' house. I managed that building, and then I decided to go back to school to do nursing. That's why I got the job at the hospital. But the more I work there, the more I realize I like doing this.

My grandmother was in a garden club, and she used to do flower arrangements for competition. My mom said she constantly won first place. So I think it's kind of in my blood.

I love everything about flowers. I love arranging them, putting them together. Obviously, flowers are already beautiful. But once you put them together, I think you can coordinate colors and really send a message.

Since I've been doing this on my own, I've been doing the deliveries as well. I love to see people's faces when you drop things off. I'll walk out, and I'll wait just a second. I always hear, "Oh, oh my gosh!" Every time.

In our new space, we'll have fresh flowers on hand all the time. During the growing season, all of them will be from Central Ohio. The space is so big that we think we're going to turn some of it into an art gallery. We'll also have local crafts. We want to make it a cool place to hang out but also have everything there that people can buy.

Flowers are not a need. People aren't coming to you because they have to. They're coming to you because they want to.

I actually have gotten flowers from my boyfriend once. Since I've met him, I've been working at a flower shop. When we get into arguments, if he feels like he needs to do something, he's like, "What do I do now?"

Three things I can't live without are my family, human interaction and home-cooked meals.


Columbus Alive Q&A with Eva Provenzale


EcoFlora
Unique floral design using organic and sustainably grown flowers