Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I’m Bonnie, a florist from Willunga, South Australia. I’ve been running my little business, Bonnie Blooms, for about a year and a half. I work with seasonal, locally grown flowers and strive to operate in a sustainable/eco-friendly way. My main focus is wedding florals, but I also do the occasional special order, and weekly bunches for a local café. I’ve always been drawn to things of beauty, especially in nature. I try to work with flowers as ‘gently’ as possible…observing the way they grow in nature and arranging them in a way that doesn’t feel forced or contrived. My aim is to celebrate nature’s inherent beauty whilst bringing joy to those who receive my flowers.
How did Bonnie Blooms start?
I was working in Scotland as a wool roller (roustabout or shedhand in Aussie terms), and on my days off I’d go for walks through meadows and down country lanes, gathering wildflowers as I went. I fell in love with the simple joy it brought me. When I got back to Australia, I kept up my foraging/flower gathering adventures. In need of work/income, I posted photos on Facebook of some of my bunches around Christmas time, and asked if anyone would like to place an order. I had a good response…and it wasn’t too long before I found myself registering a business name! A huge help in getting my business off the ground was the NEIS program (New Enterprise Initiative Scheme). This is a government funded program helping small businesses get established by offering a 10-week training course where you put together a detailed business plan. Once your plan is approved, you have access to 10 months of income support, plus quarterly meetings with a business mentor. (Highly recommend for anyone out there wanting to start a business!)
What kind of flower brings you the most joy?
It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite flower…it often changes for me! But some of my favourites are Forget Me Nots, Japanese Anemones, and old English/garden variety roses.
What’s your creative process?
Within my business, my creative process often begins with the first few interactions I have with my clients. I listen to their vision and ideas, view their inspiration pictures, and ask clarifying questions. I spend a lot of time just thinking/visualising things in my head. It often helps me to get things out on paper, whether that’s writing down the client’s main ideas on colours and vibe, or sketching out an idea for an installation. A lot of my creative process with flowers really gets going at the markets and all the other places I gather flowers. Much of it is intuitive – picking colours and varieties I think will go well together and create a cohesive look. After hours or days of flower prep (depending on the size of a wedding), I start the designing. Usually I’ve made sure my flower studio/bedroom/living space (all-in-one!) is relatively tidy to begin with. I’ll put on a podcast or music, or sometimes just enjoy the silence, and begin quietly creating. I often don’t quite know how things will turn out until they’re done…I just let the flowers do a lot of the speaking! A challenge I seem to constantly encounter in my creative process is questioning and doubting myself towards the end of getting something finished. Often, I start out confident, but by the end of a bridal bouquet think I’ll have to throw it away and start again. I’ve learnt at these points to step away for a bit, get something to eat, have another cup of tea, and come back to it later with fresh eyes. And also, to remind myself that others won’t look at things with as critical an eye as my own!
A fun fact about yourself?
I love creating spaces and events that bring people together and create a sense of community. And I get PARTICULARLY excited about helping people find their spouses! Through Jolly Good Events (old fashioned town hall dance fundraisers), 3 couples have met and married. I even recently ran a Christian speed dating event which was quite a hoot!
When or how do you feel most inspired to create?
When there’s afternoon or morning light streaming through my studio windows, soft music is playing, flowers are prepped, I’ve got a warm cup of tea or coffee and I’ve had enough sleep (rare).
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Nature-inspired, whimsical, joyous, perfectly imperfect.
If you could choose any vocation in the world (aside from floristry) which would you choose?
Not an official vocation but I’d love to create community gathering spaces where art, creativity, dance, seasonal food and fun happens, bringing people together and combatting loneliness in towns and cities all across the world. :)
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Be with my people. Give me a good friend or two, a cup of coffee, maybe a slice of cake, deep conversation, laughter, and I’m one happy girl. Add in a botanic garden, a beach or some other beautiful piece of nature and I’m a VERY happy girl. Take me on an adventure with my people and gosh, I just might explode. Also…family, especially nieces and nephews. Fills my heart to the brim.
What do you think sets Bonnie Blooms apart from other brands?
I’ve never been too worried about ‘the competition’. I firmly believe there is space for every florist, because every florist is different and will therefore connect to a different client base. I put a lot of ‘me’ into my work. It’s very personal and from the heart. I also love learning about my clients and putting as much of their personality or ‘vibe’ into what I create for them. So, apart from ensuring my work is eco-friendly and locally sourced/seasonal, I think what sets me apart from other brands is simply me, and all the heart and soul I put into my work.
