Showing posts with label EcoFlora Daily Updates. Show all posts

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

Monday, May 30, 2011

Flower Club!

Interested in getting a weekly bouquet of locally grown flowers?

Sign up now and have an arrangement delivered to a location of your choice! Each week we will make a beautiful arrangement and exchange it for the one we delivered the week prior!

Arrangements start at just $10.00 per week!

Delivery is FREE inside 270 and only $1.00 outside 270!

Arrangements can be in a vase, or just a bouquet! Have them delivered to your sweetheart, or treat yourself!

Call us today to get details!

EcoFlora

Unique floral design using organic and sustainably grown flowers

www.ecofloradesign.com

ecofloradesign@gmail.com
EcoFlora on facebook
614.266.1618

Saturday, May 28, 2011

tips for green events!

Going Green for your event

Tip #1

Think Simply. The less design elements you use, the easier it is to make the event green/organic or sustainable. Now, simple doesn’t necessarily mean sparse or even cheap for that matter (although if you have a budget in mind, simple can make it easier to save money). But simple and less complicated usually means less travel for all the materials and more control over where they came from, how they were grown or made, etc. By using 10 dozen organic roses grown in CA for example, it is easier to control the green idea than if we chose 10 different kinds of flowers. Some of these flowers could be organic, others may or may not be and others may be grown outside of the US.
Simple can also help prevent headaches.

Tip #2

Use what you love. This means follow your heart when you design your event. What’s most important to you? If what is most important to you is that there are candles in every corner and on every table, then that’s where you can focus your green time. How can you make candles sustainable? What are the least wasteful or least toxic varieties? How can they be incorporated into your design so they really show up? What do you do with all those leftover candle holders or votives once you are done? Not only will it make your event more green, but it will make you happy when you are done, because you’re looking forward to how beautiful it will all look once it’s put together.

Tip #3

Look on Craigslist. Or, your local goodwill or salvation army store. There are many finds to be had that have already been used and loved by other people. Reusing items is probably the most sustainable thing we can do in our world today. It’s way better than making new organic stuff and breaking down and re-processing old scrap stuff like plastic and metals. I know: that 70′s inspired dress may not be what you imagined for a bridesmaid dress, but there are some things that we actually like vintage. Vintage vases, plates, shoes, hats, fabrics, chandeliers, tea cans, napkins, etc. For more modern items used for weddings and decor, you can find other brides or grooms who are selling it or giving it away on craigslist, which is a great alternative to buying it brand new.
Now, this may all take a little more time than you have. So it’s best to start early. Or, find a local wedding planner or event designer who has time to find these things. Some of us also collect items like this especially to rent out for events.

Tip #4

Stay close to home. Yes, it’s actually easier to plan an event that is in your own back yard. It’s easier to find locally sourced food, local artesans, locally grown flowers, etc. It’s also better for the air and that global warming business. Who knew. If you do have to travel, avoid taking your whole extended family, less is more when it comes to driving and flying. And, take a look at carbon offsets and tree planting programs. Although it’s sort of like blowing carcinogens and carbon smoke into the air and then growing a tree to clear it up, it’s better than nothing.

Tip #5

Use what we already have. One of the best ways to stay simple, green and even stay on a budget is to use and reuse what is already surrounding us. Why not create a lovely arrangement using photos from your family collection. Or ask friends to bring a token of your relationship to the ceremony to help decorate the altar. Maybe you decide to do a photo booth, so ask your friends and family to bring weird hats, scarves, boas and masks or cheese heads they may have to the reception so others can use them as costume. Too often we go out and purchase unnecessary stuff, and it could be just as easy to just ask around and it may be even more fun! Plus, when it’s something of a homework assignment, many guests will be inspired and enjoy helping out in the fun.

Tip #6

Stay at one place. This day and age more and more people are opting to have their events in one location. This is great because if you do it right, you can use decorations that will make one location festive, and so reducing the amount of decor that needs to be used for a separate venue for your ceremony. You are also inviting guests to come and stay at one place, so they don’t have to drive to two different places, often driving around looking for parking at both, which reduces the carbon footprint and saves your guest’s a little stress. For a bride and groom, staying at one location can also mean less stress for you, so you don’t have to worry about driving around and getting to the reception on time. It also means more time for pictures!

re-posted from gorgeous and green

EcoFlora

Unique floral design using organic and sustainably grown flowers

www.ecofloradesign.com

ecofloradesign@gmail.com
EcoFlora on facebook
614.266.1618

Thursday, May 26, 2011

new flower garden

I live in the city of Columbus, so I never thought I could actually grow the flowers that I use for my arrangements. I have a fairly large yard and sure every once in a while I take a clipping, but I just thought my space was too small to harvest from. But this spring, motivated by my neighbors, I decided to start planting. My space is limited, but it has wonderful dirt and plenty of sun! It will be so lovely to go out in the morning and cut what I am going to use that day!