Welcome Back, Expert Panel!

                                                                                                                                                        image via Cebolla Fine Flowers      

The Question:

I am fairly new in the floral design business, and am still acquiring good sources for containers and candle or votive holders. I don’t live near a city with a big flower market so I order from wholesalers online. Would the expert panel mind sharing some of their favorite sources?

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The Answers:

Some of my favorite places to buy great vases and other hard goods has got to be Floral Supply Syndicate.  They have a location inside of our flower market in Portland, so it’s nice to see their products in person, but their website is really great too! Accent Decor of course has some really amazing specialty items. I also love Cultural Intrigue for votives!! And there’s always Save On Crafts – it’s not wholesale [it’s open for the public to purchase] but they do have great prices and a really great selection!

-Liz Rusnac (Liz Rusnac Floral Design)

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There are some great companies in the US; Accent Décor and Jamali Garden are a couple that come to mind. Here in Canada I use Hofland for most of my supplies and containers. They have amazing service and a good selection. I use compote containers a lot and alas, I have yet to find a great source for them here in Canada. Hofland has a few but they often have a coating like mercury glass which, unless covered with a sealant, doesn’t hold up well in water.

-Clare Day (Clare Day Flowers)

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I like Jamali Garden out of New York City for interesting containers, votive holders, etc.; for glassware and candles I use VaseSource out of Long Island and Accent Decor out of Georgia has lots of different style container collections from elegant to rustic. Keep in mind that shipping charges do add up so be sure to factor that into your pricing.

-Elisabeth Zemetis (Blush Floral Design Studio)

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In the UK I would recommend several. C.Best are based at New Covent Garden Flower Market. If you can’t get there in person you can browse their online catalogue and then order by email or telephone and they will ship to you. Country Baskets  also have a good range of vases, candelabras and candles and have a very good online shopping and shipping service. Finally, as well as selling high quality fresh flowers, Fleurametz also has a large range of vases which can be ordered online through their IRIS system.

-Nick Priestly (Mood Flowers)

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Thankfully my wholesaler has excellent supplies as well as cut flowers. Often the supplies come with the flowers so make sure you check into that. I was surprised to realize what a huge inventory my flower wholesaler had.  I love purchasing vases and containers from VaseSource, Jamali Garden, Luna Bazaar and even Save On Crafts for small basics. I also just found out about an amazing program called Syndicate Stars which is from Syndicate Sales. They can send product to your wholesaler if you enroll in their program. Oddly enough I have also found some really nice glass dishes, vases, compotes, sundae dishes and even votives at Walmart. The product line is typically Libbey glassware. Home decor stores are also great resources and don’t forget Floral Supply Syndicate and Accent Decor. 

-Holly Chapple (Holly Heider Chapple Flowers)

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Thanks Nick, Elisabeth, Clare, Liz & Holly! So good to have you back!

I’ll leave you with a few goodies from Art with Nature…

Rad + In Love Photography

Michael Radford Photography

Jill Thomas Photography 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!