FLORISTRY AS A CAREER

KAY’S SCHOOL OF FLORISTRY

465 South Circular Rd. Dublin 8
Phone: (01) 4538649 / 4533472 / 4530068
Email: kaysschooloffloristry@ireland.com
Web site: www.kaysschool.com
Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for your enquiry. Please find below a copy of our Brochure for 2009, details on the school, a Dates Schedule for the coming months, information on a Career in Floristry and an Application form.

FLORISTRY is divided into three separate MODULES

Module (1) Commercial Flower Arranging
Module (2) Commercial Sympathy Floristry & Hand-Tied Bouquets and
Module (3) Commercial Bridal Floristry

These three modules combined are the foundation training required to enter the Florist business. Each module can be covered over Four Intensive Days either attended during the week or at the weekends.

Students do not need to have any previous flower arranging experience. All
courses start with an introduction to Purchasing, Costing, Techniques of Assembly and Recommended selling prices. If you are a complete Novice or your experience is dabbling at home or self trained from books we recommend starting with Module (1) Commercial Flower Arranging.

At Kay’s we rid you of your Bad Habits, show you the Short Cuts and we will show you the Trade Secrets you never read about in books plus the way to make profits from your skills. We have an informal approach to teaching that makes the classes thoroughly enjoyable yet informative at the same time. Displays are first demonstrated and you then copy under supervision. All materials and flowers are supplied and displays are students own to take home.

Kay's School of Floristry, Training School was established by Mrs Kay O’ Rourke in 1987. The school has now built up a revolutionary approach to the training of Florists. We are one of the only Full-Time Commercial Floristry Schools in Ireland and we offer a full back up service to past and present students who need advice on techniques, costing/pricing or any problems they encounter with their designs

The aim of the school is to make Commercial Floristry and Flower Arranging more accessible to everyone, Individuals who simply enjoy flowers in their home, florist who wish to improve their floristry skills and those who may have an ambition to make floristry a career. Our students are in demand from Flower Shops all over Ireland who require staff and a many of our past students are now running successful business around Ireland

Places are limited on each course and bookings are only confirmed on receipt of a booking deposit. A place may be reserved by phone/email and confirmed with a €200 deposit. Please make cheques payable to KAY’S. Deposit / Course Fees are Non-refundable. Balance is payable at least one week in advance of commencement date.

FAS & C.E. Supervisors may book students onto a course in advance. They will be sent an application form and invoice to be returned to the school before the student attends class. Please do not hesitate to contact either myself (Janette), or Kay at either of the above phone numbers, if you need advice or more details on the attached courses.

Yours truly
Janette O Rourke (Training Director)














MODULE 1

INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL FLOWER ARRANGING COURSE

This course can be attended either Monday—Thursday OR
Two weekends Fridays & Saturdays.
Time: 10 am—3.30 pm. PRICE €600. 00.

This course is specially designed for people who wish to pursue a career in the Florist business or work from home on a commercial basis. On completion of this course, we recommend students to Proceed with Module 2 & 3.

This course starts with an introduction and advice on purchasing and choosing the essential flowers, foliage, and accessories materials in the Flower Markets and Wholesalers. How to condition, treat and store flowers / living materials and Information on the Recommended selling prices.

Students Start with a Traditional Presentation Table centre and Classic Basket designs, and advance onto Fantastic Contemporary, Modern, and Funky displays. All Tuition is with Diagrams, step-by-step demonstration, and explanation of the techniques of assembly and presentation. All seven finished designs are yours to take home. Students are under supervision at all times whilst they are making their arrangements. On completion of this module, students are capable of taking orders for Birthdays, Mothers Day, Births, Anniversaries and Special occasions.

Certificate of completion given upon successful completion of this course

Commencement Dates:


Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th March ‘09
Monday 27th – Thursday 30th April ‘09
Monday 25th – Thursday 28th May ‘09








MODULE 2

INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL SYMPATHY FLORISTRY &
HAND-TIED BOUQUET COURSE
This course can be attended either Monday—Thursday OR
Two weekends Fridays & Saturdays.
Time: 10 am—3.30 pm. PRICE €600. 00.

The programme will include advanced design techniques, on Funeral Tributes and Hand-Tied Bouquets in Aqua Packs. On completion of this course, we recommend students to Proceed with Module 3.

All aspects & designs of Sympathy Tributes are covered /Wholesale cost of Wreaths / Quantity of Flowers / Foliage to use / Purchasing / Florist procedures for taking orders /Recommended Selling prices / Notes / Diagrams & Instructions are provided.

Over the four days students will have hands on practical experience on the following designs, Eternal Circle Textured floral wreath. Circle wreath with a horseshoe spray arrangement edged with pleated ribbon, Sympathy Rose in cello, and a Funeral / Coffin Spray on a spray tray.

To maximise the retail sales for your business all students master the technique of Hand Tied Bouquets using new up to date concepts of wrapping in Aqua Packs, (bubble of water) incorporating bear/steel grass or ting tings, also techniques of wrapping with tissue/cello and Ribbon

Your Tutor will also give step-by-step instructions and demonstrate the following designs. Sympathy Heart Wreath with a floral spray arrangement edged with ribbon, Sympathy Cross tribute grouped/ textured, Sympathy Pillow or Cushion wreath with a floral initial, Gates of Heaven tribute and a modern foliage textured wreaths using a selection of garden foliage.

Certificate of completion given upon successful completion of this course

Commencement Dates:

Monday 9th – Thursday 12th March ‘09
Fri & Sat 8th.9th, 15th, 16th May ‘09
Monday 8th – Thursday 11th June ‘09





MODULE 3

INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL BRIDAL FLORISTRY COURSE

This course can be attended either Monday—Thursday OR
Two weekends Fridays & Saturdays.
Time: 10 am—3.30 pm. PRICE €600. 00.

This is a course for Florists who want to present and compete on a professional level with Wedding Floristry and people who wish to pursue a career in the floral business. We recommend students to have completed at least Module 1 or 2, before commencing with this course.

This module continues with an introduction to Bridal Floristry. Students are issued with extensive step-by-step notes, instructions and diagrams for all designs on how to cost individual bouquets, what quantity of flowers and materials to purchase, When to buy flowers and treatment of material, how to deal with a bridal enquiry/order and the recommended selling prices of all wedding accessories.

Students are advised and provided with information on choosing the essential materials. They will be supplied with a list of wholesalers where they can purchase materials needed for their wedding orders.

Students receive hands on instruction on the following designs. A Classic Wired Posy Bouquet, A Hand-Tied Posy Bouquet, Traditional Shower/Teardrop, and Contemporary Brides Bouquets. Full instructions will be given on a range of Buttonholes, Corsages and Pew Bows.

Your tutor will also demonstrate and give instructions on how to decorate and make the subsequent designs.
Flower girls basket / Floral hoop / Pomander / Headdresses / Brides Horseshoe / Crescent Bouquet, Floral Cake top decoration and a Peace Rose in cello.

At Kay's we cover both Classic and contemporary style bouquets plus
The Wired, Oasis holders & Hand-Tied methods of assembly.
Certificate of completion given upon successful completion of this course

Commencement Dates:


Fri & Sat 20th, 21st, 27th 28th March ‘09
Monday 18th – Thursday 21st May ‘09
Monday 22nd – Thursday 25th June ‘09


MASTERCLASS IN
HAND-TIED BOUQUETS

This is a morning class for students who wish to only cover Hand-Tied Bouquets.

To maximise the retail sales for your business all students master the technique of Hand Tied Bouquets using new up to date concepts of wrapping in Aqua Packs, (bubble of water) incorporating bear/steel grass or ting tings, also techniques of wrapping with tissue/cello and Ribbon. (This workshop is also included as part of module 3)

Time: 1 morning, 10am – 1.30pm approx
Price €150 .00 will include materials required

Date:
Friday 12th June ‘09


1-DAY MASTERCLASS IN
CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGING

This workshop is suitable for students who have already completed Module 1 or similar. This is an intermediate/advanced course. The day will concentrate on arrangements suitable for church decoration. There will be step-by-step demonstration of a 5 ft church pedestal and a long Altar Candle arrangement. Using the same techniques taught each student would make a smaller version of the church pedestal. Time permitting we will explain how to make a Church Floral Arch.
A car is recommended for transporting display home.
Time: 1 Day, 10 am – 3.30 pm.
Price €200.00 includes materials required

Date:

Friday 26th June ‘09


3-DAY CHRISTMAS DESIGN MASTERCLASS
Decorate Your Home and maybe make some extra cash by making
fantastic Christmas designs for your family or friends.

This is a three-day intensive course suitable for either Beginners or Advanced. Students will have hands-on practical experience in designing 2 Contemporary Christmas Displays, A Funky Candle Arrangement, A Modern Mantelpiece Display, A Sympathy Holly Wreath and a seasonal Door Swag.

Each student will bring home 6 different displays. All costing/pricing will be provided with detailed notes and access to Kay’s Christmas Photo Site.


Commencement Dates:

Dates:



Time: 10am-3.30pm for the 3 days

Price: £500 includes all displays you bring home. Please bring a Florist Scissors and a Camera



# SPECIAL OFFER #

Students booking onto all Three Modules and
Paying Full Course Fees In advance (€1,800.00) will receive
A Free Florist Starter Kit
A bank draft for full amount must be forward on in advance.


On completion of all Three Modules students are also provided
With advice and details for opening a Florist business, Stock required
And a list of contacts / suppliers connected with the TRADE



TRANSPORT

We are situated approximately 3 minutes walk from the Rialto LUAS stop. The school is situated opposite the roundabout with a sculptor of two fish on the South Circular Rd. It’s near the Rialto entrance of St. James Hospital.

The Red Line Luas can be picked up at either Connolly Train station, Hueston Train Station, Red Cow or the Square shopping centre in Tallaght. Get off at the Rialto Stop walk in the direction of the bridge, turn left and we are directly in front of you on the far side of the roundabout.

The 19 Bus which can be picked up outside Burger king (beside Clerys) in O Connell street and the bus will leave you 2 minutes walk from the school.
The 123 Bus can be picked up from budget travel (beside Clerys) in O’Connell Street and the bus will leave you at the Rialto entrance to St James hospital approximately 3 minutes walk.
The 50 Bus that stops at Crumlin Shopping centre is only 6 minutes walk away.
The 17 Bus Blackrock will leave you at the 17-bus terminus in Rialto, only 2-minute walk away.

PARKING, there is free parking outside the Bird Flanagan pub opposite the school or on Herberton Road, be careful not to block driveways. Along by and opposite the shops is Disc Parking.

Local B&B’s / Hotels available contact the school for details.





On all courses please bring:

1. A Foolscap Notebook
2. Biro’s and coloured pencils
3. A Florist Scissors (these are available at the school for €13.00)
4. A camera
5. Plastic sleeves and folders to protect your notes from water
6. Please wear warm comfortable clothes.
7. A packed lunch (shops and local café’s if you wish to purchase locally)

For past and present students we do provide a
Free back-up service over the telephone or by Email.
COURSE APPLICATION FORM (PLEASE PRINT AND POST)

KAYS SCHOOL OF FLORISTRY
465 South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin 8

NAME_______________________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Home telephone number: ________________________________________

Mobile telephone number: _______________________________________

Email address: _________________________________________________

Please fill in preferred dates:-

MODULE (1) COMMERCIAL FLOWER ARRANGING_______________

MODULE (2) COMMERCIAL SYMPATHY FLORISTRY_____________

MODULE (3) COMMERCIAL BRIDAL FLORISTRY________________

HAND-TIED BOUQUET WORKSHOP ____________________________

CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP ___________________

CHRISTMAS FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP ________________

I enclose a deposit of €200.00 for each of the above courses Total €_______

Please post on application form and relevant deposit in advance. Places are only confirmed on receipt of a €200.00 non-refundable booking deposit. You will receive a receipt by text or email. Please make cheques payable to KAY’S. Balance of the course fee is payable at least a week in advance or by cash or bank draft on course commencement.
Students who give seven working days notice of cancellation may transfer the deposit to another course. Late cancellations lose their deposit.

Signed ___________________________Date: _________________________

A CAREER IN FLORISTRY


If you choose Floristry as your career, you will embark upon a truly fascinating profession.

Florists are creative people. They use their artistic and practical ability, imagination and experience to create designs which use flowers and foliage to their best effect, for the customers home and lifestyle reflecting surroundings, décor and ever changing fashion. It is a very personal gift so a florist needs to be able to advise and help customers select designs for their special occasions.

At the beginning of your chosen career you will gain the knowledge of the care of flowers, foliage and plants. Training may be achieved by either working in a shop coupled with a part-time day course.

No doubt you will have the enthusiasm, and want to improve your creativity, work hard and reap the benefits from doing the best you can in a challenging commercial world.

Florists deal with people experiencing the highs and lows of life-joy and grief- and they really can make a difference.

For a bride’s special day, you will need to help and give guidance from the experience gained within the business and your floristry course to transform the brides dream into reality.

When someone has lost a family member or friend, a sympathetic manner is essential. Flowers are a very poignant symbol of love, which often express more than words, and help to comfort at this sad time.

Being a florist is hard work but very rewarding, and there is nothing more satisfying than to go home at the end of the day, knowing that you have given pleasure and enjoyment to so many people by fulfilling nor only their individual requirements but also demonstrating your own artistic skills and abilities. One thing is certain – there is never a dull moment in the day of a florist. If you want to be passionate about your job and work with flowers and emotions, choose floristry.

FLOWER POWER - Working as a Florist

Flowers have always been the ultimate token of emotion.
Long before the commercialisation and marketing of occasions,
Flowers were simple gifts of love, joy, guilt, and sorrow.

A career as a Florist is about more than cutting stems and arranging flowers. It’s also about having great interpersonal skills. Flowers are sent to mark occasions, so it’s important to be sensitive to emotions and have an ability to put people at ease. Floristry is not an easy job, but it’s very enjoyable. Every day is different; there is a happy and sad end to the florist business. You have to interact well with people and be sensitive to their needs. If you want to be a Florist you must be extremely creative, imaginative and be aware of design.

Being able to deal with the public is an important requirement for a Florist. People are increasingly aware of flowers nowadays and want different and original arrangements. You should also be artistic, creative, have an eye for colour and design, have excellent business skills and be a good salesperson.

On completion of your Floristry course you will need practical experience in a Flower Shop. If you decide this is what you want to do, then walk into a Florist and look for part or full time work. Be prepared to make an Arrangement, Hand Tied Bouquet and maybe a Sympathy Tribute at the interview. You will be advised on your courses how to prepare and what will be expected from you at an interview

The work tends to be seasonal. The quietest time is in the summer when the work mainly stems from Weddings and Funerals. October until Easter is the busiest time, as this is when occasion such as Christmas, St Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter occur. The rest of year ticks along with Weddings, Births, Anniversaries, Birthdays and Funerals.

This is a good time to look for work and as every small town in Ireland has a Florist, there will be a job somewhere if you look hard enough. The pay is difficult to gauge, but as with most retail work, starts at a minimum of € 8.50/€10.00 up to €18 per hour to an average of €100 -€120 per day depending on speed and experience.




WHAT IS COMMERCIAL FLOWER ARRANGING?

1. This is when you are taught how to cost a floral display.
2. Work out how many and what selection of flowers to use.
3. Where to purchase your sundries wholesale
4. Where to purchase fresh flowers plus how to treat your material.
5. The quantity of Oasis to use in each display and techniques on securing it in different containers.
6. The variety and quantity of greenery to use and details of suppliers and how to prolong its shelf life.
7. How large the display should be for the quantity of flowers
8. What the recommended selling price should be
9. What design would be more suitable for a particular area or unusual type of container? Should it be Classic, Traditional, and Contemporary Funky?
10. Where to insert the main points of the display and at what point should you start.
11. Techniques of Assembly.
12. Learn the geometric shapes and then advance onto contemporary displays.

WHAT IS COMMERCIAL BRIDAL FLORISTRY?

1.With Bridal Floristry you need to be able to suggest ideas to the Bride for the shape of her bouquet, the type of flowers to compliment her dress.
2.You must be able to work out how many flowers needed for each design. You need a shopping list for your wholesaler and how much approximately will it cost you?
3.What day’s to buy in the wedding flowers and how to treat specific flowers like Roses/Orchids/Gerberas/Lilies etc.?
4.At the school you are provided with step-by-step instructions and diagrams for each design, with an itemized list of materials and flowers in a selection of the most popular wedding flowers.
5.We will show you how to sell yourself/design a wedding price list and have the confidence and knowledge to take on a Brides Wedding order.
6.The school provides full back up service for all future weddings.

WHAT IS COMMERCIAL SYMPATHY FLORISTRY?

1.When customers think of wreaths a ‘round floral ‘one is normally what comes to mind. In a Florist shop we like to give the customer the option of a choice of shapes and designs, e.g. Heart, Crosses, Cushion, Pillows, Gates of Heaven, Vacant Chairs, Mum’s, Dad’s, pint of Guinness, Cars, Bikes, Trains, Teddies, Chaplets, etc….
2. Each design will need a specific base, which can either be bought or made. You need to know the cost of each base, how to edge it, using either ribbon or greenery, will it need a spray design, How many Flowers will you need to buy in the wholesaler, How much will the completed base cost you the florist and how much Kay's School of Floristry, Training School was established by Mrs Kay O’ Rourke in 1987. The school has now built up a revolutionary approach to the training of Florists. We are one of the only Full-Time Commercial Floristry Schools in Ireland and we offer a full back up service to past and present students who need advice on techniques, costing/pricing or any problems they encounter with their designs

The aim of the school is to make Commercial Floristry and Flower Arranging more accessible to everyone, Individuals who simply enjoy flowers in their home, florist who wish to improve their floristry skills and those who may have an ambition to make floristry a career. Our students are in demand from Flower Shops all over Ireland who require staff and a many of our past students are now running successful business around Ireland

Places are limited on each course and bookings are only confirmed on receipt of a booking deposit. A place may be reserved by phone/email and confirmed with a €200 deposit. Please make cheques payable to KAY’S. Deposit / Course Fees are Non-refundable. Balance is payable at least one week in advance of commencement date.

FAS & C.E. Supervisors may book students onto a course in advance. They will be sent an application form and invoice to be returned to the school before the student attends class. Please do not hesitate to contact either myself (Janette), or Kay at either of the above phone numbers, if you need advice or more details on the attached courses.
you charge the customer.




Many trained and experienced florist go on to set up their own shop, although some actually start off by setting up on their own. We do recommend having practical experience before you Contemplate opening up your own Florist Shop

Delivery:	In house
Category:	Floristry