KAY’S SCHOOL OF FLORISTRY
465 South Circular Rd. Dublin 8 Ireland.
Phone: 00353-1- 4538649 / 4533472 / 4530068
Email: kaysschooloffloristry@ireland.com.
Website: www.kaysschool.com
We have divided our Floristry Courses into three separate Modules
Module (1) Commercial Flower Arranging.
Module (2) Commercial Sympathy Floristry & Hand-Tied Bouquets.
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 attended during the week or two weekends two Fridays and two Saturdays.
Students do not need to have any previous flower arranging experience. All courses start with an introduction to Purchasing, Costing, Techniques of Assembly and the recommended selling prices of designs. If you are a complete Novice or your experience is dabbling at home or self trained from books we recommend all students to start with Module (1) Commercial Flower Arranging.
Kay's School of Floristry, Mrs Kay O’Rourke established Kay’s Training School 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
At Kay’s we get 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 how 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 students then copy under supervision. All materials and flowers are supplied and displays are students own to take home.
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 and 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 a course. If you need advice or more details on the attached courses, please do not hesitate to contact myself Janette or Kay at the above phone numbers.
INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL FLOWER ARRANGING COURSE
This course can be attended either Monday to Thursday or weekends Two Fridays & Two Saturdays.
TIME: 10am. To 3.30pm. Price: €600.
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 to module 2 & 3.
The course starts with an introduction and advice on purchasing and choosing the essential flowers, foliage, and accessories in the Flower Markets and Wholesalers, how to condition, treat and store fresh flowers etc. and information on the recommended selling prices.
Students Start with Traditional designs, and they 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 students finished designs are theirs to take home. Students are under supervision at all times. On completion of this module, students are capable of taking orders for Birthdays, Mothers Day, and Special Occasions.
Commencement Dates:
Mon 12th to Thursday 15th May 2008
Fridays & Saturdays 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th June 2008
Monday 7th to Thursday 10th July 2008
Fridays & Saturdays 29th, 30th Aug & 5th, 6th Sept 2008
Monday 13th to Thursday 16th October 2008
Monday 1st to Thu 4th December 2008
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL FLOWER ARRANGING?
MODULE 2
4-DAY INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL SYMPATHY FLORISTRY AND HAND-TIED BOUQUET COURSE
This is a natural progression from Module 1 or 2. The programme will include advanced design techniques, on Funeral Tributes and Aqua pack Bouquets.
This course can be attended Monday to Thursday or weekends Two Fridays & Two Saturdays.
Time: 10am. to 3.30pm. Price €600. 00.
All aspects & designs of Sympathy Tributes are covered, wholesale cost of Wreaths, Quantity of Flowers and Foliage to use, the Recommended Selling prices and Notes & 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 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 tribute with a floral spray arrangement edged with ribbon, Sympathy Cross tribute grouped and textured. Sympathy Pillow or Cushion with a floral initial. Gates of Heaven sympathy tribute and a modern foliage textured wreaths using a selection of garden foliage.
Commencement Dates:
Monday 26th to Thursday 29thMay
Monday 30th June to Thursday 3rd July
Monday 15th to Thursday 18th September
Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd October
Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th December
Times: 4 Days, 10am – 3.30pm each day
Price: €600.00 includes all materials required
Certificate of completion given upon successful completion of this course
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL SYMPATHY FLORISTRY?
1. When customers think of wreaths a “Round Floral” one is normally what comes to their mind. In a Florist shop we like to give the customer the option of a choice of many shapes and designs. A Name, Heart, Cross, Cushion, Pillow, Gates of Heaven, Vacant Chair, Mum’s, Dad’s, Nan, Granny, Granda, A Pint of Guinness, Car, Bike, Train, Teddies, Chaplets etc. are just some of the most popular designs and in the past few years many new designs are available to suit almost all religions.
2. Each design will need a specific base, which can either be bought or made. Students need to learn the cost of each base, how to edge it, using either ribbon or greenery and will it need a spray design,
3 Students are advised how many flowers they need to purchase in the wholesaler, how much will the completed design cost them and how much they should charge the customer.
MODULE 3
4-DAY INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL BRIDAL FLORISTRY COURSE
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 at least completed Module 1 or equivalent before commencing this course.
This course can be attended from Monday to Thursday or Two Fridays & Two Saturdays.
Time: 10 am—3.30 pm.
Price: €600. 00.
This course continues with an introduction to Bridal Floristry. Students are issued with extensive step-by-step notes and instructions for all designs on how to cost individual bouquets, what quantity of flowers and materials to use, how to deal with a bridal enquiry and the recommended selling prices.
Students are advised and provided with information on choosing the essential materials and they will be supplied with a list of suppliers 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, A Traditional Shower/Teardrop, and Contemporary design bouquet.
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 subsequent designs. A Flower girls basket, a floral hoop, a Pomander, a Headdress, a Brides Horseshoe/Crescent Bouquet, and a Peace Rose.
Commencements Dates:
Mon 28th April to Thursday 1st. May
Monday 9th to Thursday 12th June
Monday 14th to Thursday 17th July
Fridays & Saturdays 26th and 27th Sept plus 3rd. and 4th October
Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th November
Certificate of completion given upon successful completion of this course
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. Students 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, and Lilies Etc.
4. At the school Students 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.at Kay’s we advise students how to sell themselves and how to design a wedding price list and have the confidence and knowledge to take on a Bride’s Wedding order.
6. Kay’s School provides full back up service for all future weddings.
One Morning Master Class in Hand-Tied Bouquets
Time: 10 am - 1.30 pm. Price €150.00 includes materials for Bouquet
Commencement Dates 2008
Friday Morning 18th April
Friday Morning 17th October
To maximize the retail sales for your business, all students master the technique of making Hand-Tied bouquets for all occasions, incorporating bear-grass, steel-grass or ting tings.
This course is set-aside to the presentation and assembly of Hand-Tied Bouquets, using a large bow and up-to-date concepts of wrapping a bouquet in an Aqua pack. (Bubble of water).
(Please note that this course is already included as part of Module 3)
One-Day Course
Time: 10am. to 3.30 pm. Price €200.00 includes the makings of a large 4ft. display
Commencement Dates:
Friday 16th May 2008
Friday 7th November 2008
This Workshop is suitable for intermediate or advanced students. The day will concentrate on arrangements suitable for the church decoration. There will be a step-by-step demonstration of a 4ft. Church Display. Using the same techniques taught, all students will make a Church display. The Tutor will demonstrate a large three candle Altar Arrangement and time permitting we will explain how to make a Church Floral Arch.
3- DAY MASTER CLASS IN CHRISTMAS FLORAL DESIGNS
Decorate your home for Xmas
Price: £500 (Includes all materials required).
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, and a Holly Wreath for a Grave 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:
Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th November
Thursday 20th to Saturday 22nd November
Time: 10am. To 3.30pm. for 3 days
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 more than cutting stems and arranging flowers. It’s also about having 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 their ease.
Floristry is not an easy job, but it’s very pleasurable. Every day is different; there is a happy and sad end to the florist business. 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. If you want to be a Florist you must be creative, imaginative, be aware of design and have an eye for colour and a good salesperson is very important in a florist shop.
On completion of all three modules, Students will need practical experience in a Flower Shop. If you decide this is what you want to do, be prepared to be asked to make an Arrangement, Hand Tied Bouquet and a Sympathy Tribute at the interview. Students will be advised 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. November until Easter is the busiest time, as this is when occasions such as Christmas, St Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter occur. This is a good time to look for work and as every small town in Ireland has a Florist Shop. The rest of year ticks along with Weddings, Births, Anniversaries, Birthdays and Funerals.
When students finish all three modules there should be a job somewhere if they look hard enough. The pay is difficult to gauge, but as with most retail work, Students start at a minimum wage and depending on their speed and experience their salary will range from €100 to €150 per day
Many trained and experienced florist set up their own shop, although some actually start by setting up on their own. However at Kay’s School we strongly recommend that all our students gain plenty of practical shop experience before they contemplate on opening up their own Florist Shop
On completion of all three modules, we have been very successful in either placing suitable students on a work experience in florist shops or as job opportunities arise we send students forward for interview.
Many of our past students are now either working in Florist shops or working from home on a commercial basis. We have a huge number who eventually opened their own Florist shops from Kenmare to Letterkennny, Most counties in Ireland have a Florist shop who’s Florist first trained in Dublin at Kay’s School of Floristry
PRIVATE TUITION
Private Tuition and Consultancy is available on all aspects of Floristry and Flower Arranging. Please bring all your own flowers and materials that you wish to work with. (We will advice you on the amounts and quantity to bring).
Price €100 for 1st hour €500 per day, (plus material) 10am to 3.30 pm