Sarah and Tung - September 1

It is becoming a bit of a habit where we become so attached to our couples that we sometimes just want to be their friends forever.  This was most definitely the case with Sarah and Tung!

She loved billy buttons and succulents and we were instantly friends.

This is what we created for their special day -

Bridesmaids bouquets of succulents, ranunculus, tetragonia gumnut, berzellia and sea holly.

Buttonhole for the lads

Bridal bouquet... ooh my fave! It took way longer to make than I had anticipated.
Many parts are individually wired... and after the event they could plant parts in their garden!

These are not the real bridesmaid(!) - Holly and I couldn't resist a sweet photo of
ourselves with the bridesmaids posies! 

right - throw away bouquet

oooh, I do love a pom pom!

Simple decorations were added to venue supplied candelabras

Sarah's sister made this fabulous bunting. I came up with the idea of placing it above
the bridal table so the bridal party felt as if they were in a festive tent, this anchored the room and
looked awesome.  Tung said it was as if I had bought the outside inside.  Pretty sure Brighton international had never had lumps of wood on their tablecloths.

Entrance table

A little extra love in front of the bride and groom.

Mum wanted a red corsage

And a special one for dad!

This was also the wedding that we did the succulents for... see our last post! Ciao for now. 

Love Clarence xx

Photography by Bec Smith for Clarence 2012

Succulents in Clay Cups

Succulents in clay cups make the perfect little present for a friend, it is as if they were made for each other! I have always wanted to make them for wedding bon bon yeri and one day my wish came true.

For the marriage of Sarah and Tung, Sept 1, the couple requested 220 succulents in clay cups...

Time to get my hands dirty -

         

Photography by Bec Smith for Clarence 2012

  

She said "YES"

FACT: People who do Vipassana in The Yarra Valley often drift into Clarence for their first human interaction in 10days...

NOT Kidding!  Fred is not the first to come in here with his shiny eyes exploding out of his head.  It is wonderful to share with someone their first words spoken in 10 days.

His first words were -

"I need a box"

A simple statement, with his requirements to follow... "this big" "no, with a lid" "NOT SEE through" "Kind of wood, maybe? "

"Do you have one of those hippy shops in this town?"

This guy really needed a box, and I REALLY wanted to help him.. but so far... not so good.
I asked him what it was for.
He said "A nest"

I said I thought I had the perfect one, it has birds on the top, and showed him.
He said "No, it's too small"
He seemed overwhelmed.

I asked him if he had the nest and suggested some places in town to visit in search for the impossibly specific box he was looking for.  I let him leave with a promise that if he bought me the nest I would find a solution, it might not be a box but it would be the perfect house for a nest so worthy.

He came back 10 minutes later. Nest carefully wrapped in toilet paper. I looked at it, and held it, it was so beautiful and would fit perfectly in the box I suggested.

We put it in, and put the lid on, as it shut perfectly, Fred seemed grounded... out of his head, rooted down into the ground.  You never know when a small thing can make such a big deal for someone. The nest fit the box. WOW!

I had to ask him what all the fuss was about, now that we were on the same level, and could see eye to eye.

He had been meditating for 10days... well maybe 9 and a half, because he had to escape, to find this box, to put the nest in, to PROPOSE to his lover - So that they may make a nest together... HOLY CRAP! - Tuesday just got sooo much more exciting.

It was all he could think about at Vipassana!  I'm not sure that you are supposed to 'think' there but he obviously had some spectacular 'visions' while he was most definitely 'meditating.'

He was meeting his love, Elissa, that evening... heading into the forest in the Black Spur for an overnight stay with the treasure we helped him put together.

The proposal would have been something like this -

With a temporary ring because the real one will be turned out of wood by an incredible artist and he will need the exact size.  Holly and I had tears in our eyes. Our friend and loyal customer Robyn was here as well.  We gave Fred the box.  I could not charge him... The story, his sharing and just absolute loveliness brought too much joy to all 3 of us - The experience was priceless!

He thought maybe he needed a red rose to add to the romance...  I took a risk and told him it was contrived - (You never know if you are going to offend someone when you are trying 'educate' them that flowers other than gerberas and roses exist! and ROSES are not the only flowers for romance... ALL FLOWERS are romantic, they need to say more about YOU and your love than what some book tells you they mean!) Anyway... I knew they shared a love of music and suggested something longer lasting -

A lovely recycled paper flower made by Robyn!

We sent Fred on his way... with nothing less than a group hug.

Wednesday was the longest day of my life... Holly and I, working hard... but honestly just waiting to find out if she said YES!

At 4.55pm, the gorgeous couple came in to bring us the news - 

SHE SAID YES!!!!

*If you are seeking some meditation and guidance visit our Vipassana Centre at http://www.aloka.dhamma.org/about.htm

OR if you need a BOX or a flower... or a group HUG - http://www.loveclarence.com/

BIG CONGRATS Fred and Elissa! Can't wait till you become Mr and Mrs McAwesome!

Excited, inspired and grateful about Holly!

So. It's time to blog again.
You must know that this blog is inspired by my good friend Nick Sheridan who writes a blog of the same title EVERYDAY!  Nick has changed my morning ritual of waking up and checking facebook, to waking up... reading a blog about being excited grateful and inspired, and then reflecting on all the things in my life that make me those things!
You can check out his blog here http://excitedinspiredandgrateful.blogspot.com.au/

Clarence is a BIG part of my life that goes under the reflection microscope daily.  I am grateful to have found a vessel for my creativity and really feel in my element right now.  I am inspired by what has been achieved and what more exciting projects are to come. BUT... You must know that a Bobilee can't be a Bobilee without a great team beside her (like ACE or my new YarraValley community).  My team is my staff, family and all the locals who offer endless support... one in particular, sticks out in my mind, and I absolutely would not have achieved even half of what I've done without her...

Let me tell you about Holly Deacon.
Those of you who know her know that she is the gorgeous girl in Clarence... greeting you with a smile and looking after things when I am not there (and when I am), making AMAZING flowers and having a laugh.

I was so blessed to have met her.  We often try to remember how we met. Holly recently asked me why I hired her and how she came to work at Clarence. We can't remember exactly what went down but this is my version that goes a little something like this...

ME: "Hi there, how are you guys going?"
Holly and Lucy: "Great thanks"
ME: "What are you up to today?"
Holly: "Just having a wander... I'm a bit jet lagged I just got back from Canada yesterday"
ME: "Oh yeah, what were you doing there?"
Holly: "I was working at a florist actually"
ME: "Really... want a job?"

THE END

Nah just kidding... She then told me how she always gets drawn back into this shop (formerly Bron Bron Janga), how she did work experience there as a teen and she doesn't know what she is doing yet but she might want a job.  I said cool... "Can you make me something?"

...AND SHE MADE ME THIS:

I'm pretty sure that this coincided with the exact day that Clarence threw out Gerberas, and discouraged any form of box arrangements.*  Come to think of it... That is absolutely true!  Locals will have noticed Clarence transform itself over the past few years and I attribute that to the fact that -

A) For the first 6 months I had no idea what I was doing (and no money to invest in what I liked)

B) I spent so much time doing what I thought I was meant to be doing rather than what I liked

C) I hadn't met Holly yet

It's so easy to forget the topic when finally sitting down to write a blog. You may have also noticed that the last time I did one was at Christmas so it's fair to say I have a lot to say. I want to keep it about Holly but it keeps slipping to Clarence's life story but I guess they go hand in hand. 

HOLLY encouraged me to stay true to our style and the people will come.  She inspired me to give her a job with that first vase arrangement because I liked IT!  And she made me LOVE flowers again (truth be known I was thinking of getting rid of them) I ditched teleflora and all "florist networks" (Sorry but their styles seriously give florists a bad name... Who wants to make to someone's bad picture??) AND we moved forward fairly quickly into a new phase... So thanks Holly!

She inspires me with her floral work everyday and it's amazing cause it just makes Clarences vibes go up and up... Here is some of her work - 

 

In small business one of the things all business owners complain about is finding staff.  I think it can be hard so if you find good ones you really need to celebrate them.  Work is meant to be fun - You spend half your life doing it! I am lucky to have quite a few good staff...

But more on them later... This post is a tribute to HOLLY!

Focus. Focus.

Holly is so clever and I am grateful every day for all of the hard work she does to keep Clarence amazeballs!  I love working with her because she is not afraid of dirty work and does everything with a smile -

She is a great wingman!

On her days off she would be found doing something like this...

...walking through a field of flowers...

Making a lucky friend a posie

After all... What else would someone with 2 flower names be doing?? Her name is Holly Iris - 

Holly... You are a flower! I love working with you... Holly and Bobilee, live together in perfect harmony - Like Ebony and Ivory  -

or Hairy and Ivory!

 I love how she just manages the forte when I have to do this - 

She then copies my face, turns it into a positive... and with joy in her eyes after 6 hrs gardening in the rain manages to look like this!

Holly... You are a star and I love you heaps and look forward to all the WONDERFUL Creative things we are going to do together - You can be my salt and I'll be your pepper!

Nick Sheridan - Thanks for reminding me to be excited, grateful and inspired.  If I was going to write a blog a day I would change it to beautiful, loved and blessed.  Prince wrote the cheesiest song with the same title and I LOVE IT!

Beautiful flowers made by Holly around me everyday!
Loved by me and all that enter Clarence!
and Blessed to have met you Holly Iris Deacon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh54Fh6DdNw

*Clarence can make beautiful box arrangements and will get you gerberas on request with 2 days notice - just don't get angry at us cos we don't have them in the shop! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Holly and I got busy yesterday making Christmas Wreaths -

Check out all the things you can do!

Succulents and Kangaroo paw and a Kangaroo!

With hanging vases you can fill with fresh flowers!

Please note, this wreath is for a wall beside your door

as you don't want to smash the vases.

Beautiful and fresh but will still dry nicely! You can hang this on your door

or take it off and use as a centrepiece for your table with a candle inside.

Wreaths available for purchase at Clarence (in store now)

and can be made to order with a days notice, Ph - 03 5962 4226

WE LOVE CHRISTMAS AT CLARENCE!!!

Collecting Feathers

We are SO lucky with the amazing people we get to do business with at Clarence. Nicole from 'Collecting Feathers' is one of them. We thought we'd ask her a few questions so you get to know our people more ..... only because they're worth it!

Why the name 'Collecting Feathers'?

This is a long personal story, chock a block full of pathos, and I am afraid that it would make you cry! Truly! Let's just say that my absolutely fabulous sister came up with it, and since around that time we have both changed our lives to the kind that 'want to' live rather than 'have to' live.

In a nutshell Collecting Feathers is a metaphor for the important things in life, the things you keep, and that there is always beauty amongst the debris.  

What are the three words you'd use to describe your work?

Repurposed, vintage, memories


What are three words you'd use to best describe you?

Ah so many descriptive's, which ones to pick? I could give you the typical ones such as: creative, breathtakingly beautiful, highly intelligent, but  I am afraid I am pretty self effacing, and will go for a description of me walking down the street....spacey, clumsy, blind as a bat!

When you re-purpose objects is there ever a twinge of guilt or is it all pleasure?

Initially there was incredible guilt. I would actually take the scissors in hand ready to cut, and they would shake as I approach the paper or cloth. Some materials I still can't cut. I usually put them aside until I, or they are ready. It is a lot easier now. For years many of these papers and fabrics have sat in dusty piles, in boxes or drawers. I am creating a new life and a new beauty for them, and people can delight in them.

How much does where you live influence your work?

I live in the Northern Rivers NSW, on acreage in a mud brick house that my husband and I built ourselves. My surroundings impact me greatly as I want to tread lightly on this earth. We are as sustainable as we can be (without being manic). We grow our own organic vegies, chooks and cows, drink our own water, and have a load of solar cells on the roof. Clothes are rarely bought new, most are from the opshop, or really old and vintage. (it is amazing how long quality clothes last) I am not a hippy, though it sounds like it when you write it down!

In that sense, I didn't want to be creating more 'stuff' when beautiful things already exist and just need a few little tweaks here and there.

What was your proudest moment as an artist?

My first sale. I am still gobsmacked over the notion that I make 'things' and people buy them! 

What's the most fun you've ever had with your work?

Hmmm what is fun? I have always been perplexed by the concept of 'having fun' with art. At uni, my lecturers would tell me to have fun with it, at jobs I have worked I was advised to have fun with special projects...but that would only increase my paranoia. It is like telling Woody Allen to relax!

I enjoy my work, I have to create, it is a need, and I work very hard at achieving my goals, but fun to me is going to see a band, sitting down with some friends and having a laugh or op-shopping with my sister and daughter.

What is the craziest purchase you've ever made in the name of 'Collecting Feathers'?

I also sell vintage bits and pieces at markets and online. I tend to get a bit excited at auctions! Once I bought a chenille bedspread and a vintage sheet, however, nobody wanted the rest of the contents of the room.The auctioneer decided that  I had to take everything! My purchase of two items ultimately filled the whole of my four wheel drive to bursting point. The good thing though, was that I found some wonderful treasures among  the detritus, so it was worth the hassle. 

Do the people that live with you share your passion for collections?

My daughter did, until she moved out recently...now it  is just me and my cranky husband who does not possess the 'collecting' gene. I have tried to educate him over the years, and 'tis true, being an electrician, he has bought home some brilliant finds, but alas, the 'picker' blood does not course through his veins. But he is supportive, and built me a garage to store things in, so I can't complain. 


Would you share a photo with us of your  (current?) favourite object or collection and it's story?

What to choose? What to choose? I will show you some of my tapestries that I am currently collecting. I found two more yesterday.

I used to  do tapestries as a very freaky teenager. When most kids were out at parties, having fun, I would make soft furnishings and do tapestries! Oh dear.

 There are so many hours of work in them, and are another example of women giving love to their homes, usually at the end of the day when all the 'real work' has been completed.

 They are ear marked for a project that I have in mind, which I should move on, but it will mean their destruction! Can I do it? Time will tell.

Nicole Zupanovich

collecting feathers

http://collectingfeathers.blogspot.com/

Come visit Clarence and we'll show you the amazing things we have of hers. We LOVE them!!

Ok - so back to the Christmas wrap .....

How's yours going?

Love Clarence x