Over the last few weeks I have been nowhere near my garden. I have been at my desk/computer doing everything in my power to make things happen. I like to grow in spite of the season. So many exciting and wonderful things have been happening and now is a great time to share them with you. Because Chapel Designers has endless possibilities and potential, I am investing a lot of time right now to help us grow. I have endless goals and dreams for us. To reach my goals I knew I was going to need help. Thankfully Amy Mcgee from Botanical Brouhaha has come on board the HCF team to help me with social media and Chapel Designer growth. Amy has an extensive background in the floral industry and her blog is one of the most loved floral design blogs in the country. We have been friends for years via the internet and the phone. After one of our magical 2 hour long conversations, Amy somehow ended up in charge of Social Media for the CD’s. Making the CD’s and me mighty lucky!!! See our new Facebook page here. While Amy has been handling the Facebook page I have been steadily gathering discounts for the CD’s. We have added some really amazing sponsors to our list, meaning CD’s will be getting discounts from ribbon to advertising, vases to magazines. This is really exciting, not only does this add to the benefits of being a CD, it means that some very big businesses or media sources are recognizing the Chapel Designers.
Tomorrow I leave for Santa Barbara for our first annual conference, which happens to be SOLD OUT. I look forward to greeting our amazing teachers and guests. Many thanks, to Nancy Liu Chin, Francoise Weeks, Alicia Schwede, and Joseph Massie. Joost of Florabundance is my co host and he will be supplying the gorgeous flowers. We can’t wait to get to Santa Barbara to design. Just this morning Jen Campbell of Green Wedding Shoes confirmed that she will be popping by to meet and greet the CD designers. Jenn is going to speak with us about submitting and her fabulous blog. Things always magically fall into place for the Cd Clan. Photographers James and Diana Marie Prunean will be photographing the event and talking to us about branding and photography. In addition the amazing Kevin Chin will be recording the event. He will be working on two very special films for us. LUCKY!!!!
Many thanks to these amazing sponsors who are absolutely making Santa Barbara a success.
Florabundance
Sunstone Winery
Fess Parker Hotel
Fed Ex
Design Master
Flower Magazine
Fitz Design
Midori Ribbon
Syndicate Sales
Classic Party Rentals
Small Masterpiece
Three Little Words Paper
Sarah Bezdrob
Claire Pettibone
Catering Connection
As you can see this is a pretty big production. Bringing 53 designers together and turning a vineyard into a flower shop has been no small undertaking. Please follow us on instagram, twitter, and facebook. Santa Barbara is going to be amazing.
With Santa Barbara organized and ready to launch, I decided to get busy on NYC so here is our agenda which is still developing. Read carefully, I have some super big names in here.
On Monday March 10th, the conference will begin at the Helen Mills Studio. We held our first day of the 2013 conference there last year. It is a wonderful venue to host our full day of guest speakers, and open discussion. The Helen Mills Studio is directly across the street from the hotel on 26th street- very convenient!
Scheduled speakers are Anne Chertoff of Anne Chertoff Media, and Jes Gordon of Jes Gordon Events, Amy Mcgee from Botanical Brouhaha. More speakers coming soon.
Tuesday March 11th will be our designated design day and we are happy to announce that we will be returning to the production offices of David Beahm Design. Expect presentations from David Beahm, Holly Chapple, Francoise Weeks, and Naomi de Mañana style editor from Martha Stewart. This day will be loaded in design time and lunch will be provided. One more designer to be announced.
Wednesday March 12th, you better get up early on this day or you will miss out on the fun. We are going to fit in an early morning tour of the flower market and I mean early!! Get to the flower market as early as you can because first time Chapel Designers will be given the opportunity to visit the offices of Martha Stewart. This is only for new Chapel Designers. Hurry back to the rooftop lounge of our hotel the Hilton Fashion 26 because we will be having a session with Sean Low from The Business of Being Creative. The day will include lunch on the rooftop and then the afternoon will end with a presentation from Sarah Ryhanen and Nicolette Camille of the Little Flower School. This will be a full day and we do not suggest leaving early.
This agenda is not finished yet but I’m gonna say it’s a pretty amazing line up.
Did you hear Chapel Designers are going to Australia that’s right, we are headed to Australia, and I am so pleased about this. In fact I am blown away. Francoise Weeks and I are partnering on this adventure and students will benefit from two very unique design styles. Our event will be taking place at the studio of Michelle Van Eimeren from Affair With George. Michelle is one of our favorite Chapel Designer members and I can’t wait to put my arms around Michelle. This trip is sure to be amazing.
As you can imagine I am really happy about all of this. Not only are the CD’s growing so is my incredible list of really amazing friends.
I will see you in Santa Barbara.
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