I haven’t always been a Florist. It is something I have come to more recently as I approach a milestone birthday.
I’m a Wife to Nick, Mum of two children and rescue dogs and I’ve been a pizza waitress, cosmetic consultant in a department store, a dancer, a Brown Owl and teacher but not necessarily in that order.
None of the above relates to being a florist, or maybe they do a bit? Some of them require quite a degree of creativity and when I was training to dance, my dance school took part in the “International Garden Festival” in Liverpool during the Summer of 1984, where we twirled around a Maypole on a daily basis surrounded by beautiful floral gardens of the world.
That was while I was training in Dance, Drama and Music at the Elliott Clarke School. I followed this by venturing to London to the Urdang Academy and then to the Laban Centre, where I gained a Diploma in Community Dance and Movement.
These skills along with a stage one sign language qualification enabled me to work with some fantastic inclusive companies, including Chicken Shed Theatre Company, assisting visually impaired children at the Royal Academy of Dancing and teaching Creative and Therapeutic Dance Workshops with the likes of Kith and Kids and the Richard Cloudesley School.
I even danced professionally with a stint in Portugal, wearing a tiny showgirl bikini and feathers on my head. Hard to believe now but my Mum has the picture to prove it.
After returning to the UK I became a Lecturer at The College of North East London, teaching GSCE Dance, A Level Performing Arts and A Level Dance.
I taught fairly late in to my first pregnancy until I was too round to demonstrate a decent contemporary roll and then decided to put my energy in to my son Josh, followed by my daughter Naomi.
During this time, with the support of Nick who would bunk off work early so he could take over Dad duties with our kids, I ran a Brownie Pack. Remember I mentioned I was a Brown Owl. And you thought that was just some strange character name I’d given myself. I also helped my two sisters set up a small touring theatre company.
As my children were completing their education I wanted to do something creative again but the thought of performing in the arts absolutely terrified me and I had always had a passion for floristry.
I eventually studied for two years and I now hold a City and Guilds Level 3 Floristry Advanced Diploma, with distinction.
I’m passionate about trying to use as many of the above skills with my newfound floristry skills. After meeting a very lovely, enthusiastic and supportive lady on holiday in Norfolk, who started her own business after her children left home, I feel that fusing the idea of my teaching and floral skills together is just the ticket to run my workshops. Plus my sisters and Mum are making me do it.
I also create flower arrangements for weddings and other events too. My work is born under my little thatched roof as a cottage industry business, providing a bespoke service for my clients. I like to work with community ventures and educational establishments for a modest fee that they can afford too.
Email me, call me, find me on Facebook or Twitter to book me or to attend one of my workshops.
I might even show you that picture that my Mum has.
Email Vicky at: thatchandbloom@gmail.com
Or call Vicky on: 07738 008105
Facebook: @vickythatchandbloom
Twitter: @SklarVicky
Thatch & Bloom
Inspired floral designs
A cottage industry business, offering a bespoke service for all occasions.
Public Liability Insured.
