J Schwanke and his designs

[pfmflowermarket]

Have you ever met J Schwanke from Jtv and Ubloom? I haven't but I think it would be a blasty blast to hang out with him for a day! What do you think of him and his designs? Have you ever tried any of them in your shop and is it appropriate for your type of clientele? I think most of his stuff is a little too much high style for my customers. I like the idea of the Ask bouquets that he showed for one Valentine's. We have tried this on a small scale with making our own premade greenery bouquets and it has worked well. His flower shop gang bit cracks me up everytime. He's never grumpy and he keeps saying keep having fun with flowers! Everything is so fascinating to him. He is like a child on Christmas day opening up presents...lol I wish we could all be as excited and optimistic as J.

 

[Erlene]

J is fabulous and a great friend. We've been able to use a lot of what he shows, modifying it for our needs and our client needs. Most times you can use the concepts shown without making the exact item if that isn't what you need at that specific time.

Two things that come to mind right away are the butterfly tree with the mokara orchids and the crescent calla bouquet. We used a modified version of both, one for a Chamber of Commerce event and the other for a bridal show. Both received rave reviews.

 

[pfmflowermarket]

J's ribbon box fascinates me. We tried something like that in our shop. Helps keep things organized. We put all prom ribbon in one box. Love the ask bouquets. The silver and gold tree fern for the holidays is also something different that we tried this year.

 

[Erlene]

We use the foliage kits at holiday time, they're fabulous time savers.

 

[Seasonals]

I've met J a few time and always enjoy his demos. He does perform for his audience. Actually at the last showing he had here in N. Nevada him and Twiggy became great pals :handball: She was his lead pass the bouquet person.

I believe his next video is about the tall vase with the rose submerged. We've done that application alot. He is truly dedicated to the industry.

 

[pfmflowermarket]

As soon as I watched the video we called our supplier to ask for them and they stated to us that they only offer them during big holidays. So I tried a little experiment and made some inexpensive mixed greenery bouquets for the floor and a couple of people grabbed them to add to their flower purchase. We also used them in choosing our selections to fill orders.

 

[Mark Anderson]

I've had the pleasure of meeting J a few times and he is genuinely an all-round awesome guy. He's the kind of person that is so nice and genuine and giving that he makes you want to better person.

He is also outstanding to deal with if you are ever looking for someone to anchor an event. You couldn't ask for someone to give more.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

yep, I met J at a design show in Denver last March. Was soooo cool cause he BS'd with me and my posse for about 45 minutes before he went on stage. Was extra super cool because I (yes little old me) came up in his conversation the day before when he and BJ Dyer were talking. And J told me he and BJ had talked about me.
It wasn't a big long conversation about me but just the fact that BJ Dyer and J Schwanke were talking about ME at all!!!! Makes me smile every time I think about it! I'm sure they don't remember it now, But I do!

I love J, I think he's great, and I love his stories about his mom. His mom sounds like a mix of my first flower shop boss and my mom!!

J loves ribbon. I do not. So our styles are a bit different. I must admit I never thought of J's designs as High style though. Not the stuff he does on JTV anyway.
I think He's very good at showing how to do traditional design with a modern, fresh look. I love him.

But my favorite is still Hitomi, I would go to work for Hitomi and clean the shops toilets and wash all the buckets, and mop the floor everyday, do ALL that kind of work no one wants to do just to get the opportunity to get the chance for some of that creative vibe to rub off on me.

 

[Carrington]

He's a hero

I think most of his stuff is a little too much high style for my customers. He is like a child on Christmas day opening up presents...lol I wish we could all be as excited and optimistic as J.

Not only is J an absolute hero and a gentleman but his work is to floristry what Vivienne Westwood/John Paul Gautier/Versace is to fashion. They do over the top stuff but the mid stores do a 'watered down' version that can sell to mere mortals who want to be 'on trend' but either can't afford or don't want to go for the 'full on' versions.

My feeling is that unless there are people out there raising the bar by doing things differently (and that's what J does big time) no industry can move forward. Floristry, fashion, cookery ... all have progressed as a result of the brave/crazy/passionate few.

C

 

[greatflowerlady]

J and I have become good friends I used to "stalk" him Not really but I am a junkie. He and I only live about 50 miles apart. He's always as nice as he seems on J tv, I have used MANY of his technicians and applied his work ethic to my own outlook! Everyone has the right to enjoy flowers and dabble in it.. It just makes people feel good. And that's his message, his Ubloom website is for everyone from the beginner to the high end. It's all about having fun.:cat:

 

[master J]

I am a huge fan of J, and he is truly a really nice guy and contributes a lot to the floral industry! I Hope to catch one of shows in person next time he is in the Philly area!

 

[twiggy]

J is a great presenter- His excitement and passion about flowers are contagious!
I did the crescent calla bouquet (with some extras) for a wedding in Sept- and it was beautiful. He comes to Reno and even though I've been to 3 of his shows in the last few years, I would still go again.

But my favorite is still Hitomi, I would go to work for Hitomi and clean the shops toilets and wash all the buckets, and mop the floor everyday, do ALL that kind of work no one wants to do just to get the opportunity to get the chance for some of that creative vibe to rub off on me.

ME too Shannon!!

 

[Palms]

It is my intention to watch more of these webisodes this year, maybe just on the counter while i work. I like the faux pax hand tied that he did, think that would be great as a centre window piece. I also think that he could inspire for those that enter competitions.

I think like Carrington that you need the over the top designers in any industry to set the styles.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Do you guys REALLY think his work is over the top? Really?

I just don't see it that way at all.

I love him and his work, I just never thought of his stuff as over the top, Just really well designed, maybe I'm missing something, or maybe I'm over the top and don't know it... HA!

 

[janna]

Have you ever met J Schwanke from Jtv and Ubloom? I haven't but I think it would be a blasty blast to hang out with him for a day! What do you think of him and his designs? Have you ever tried any of them in your shop and is it appropriate for your type of clientele? I think most of his stuff is a little too much high style for my customers. I like the idea of the Ask bouquets that he showed for one Valentine's. We have tried this on a small scale with making our own premade greenery bouquets and it has worked well.

J is Fantastic!!! and a good friend, I have worked with J many times and every time J exceeds the audiences expectations. and another plus is J is low maintaince. He uses what ever products are available and doesn't waste any. The designs and products J shows on JTV are meant to help florists be unique and profitable in their business. J is a possitive influence in the floral industry.

ASK is available Year round. both foliage and flower kits. If you aren't able to get them from your local wholesaler, let me know and I will let you know where you can purchase them.

janna

 

[Carol Bice]

Do you guys REALLY think his work is over the top? Really?

I just don't see it that way at all.

I love him and his work, I just never thought of his stuff as over the top, Just really well designed, maybe I'm missing something, or maybe I'm over the top and don't know it... HA!

Shannon, Jay plays to his audience. He tends to design according to what the majority can understand. As you know, there are all levels of ability among florists.

I have been with Jay when he has done some absolutely incredible design work that are not intended to be copied by just any designer. Just know that he is one of the most capable designers around even though you don't always see it in his presentations. Maybe he saves these for those special shows.

Carol Bice

 

[lmariesteve]

Watching his jtv webisodes on ubloom has been my Monday night ritual! I love his work and have informed my son that I WILL be making the Botanical Board for his wedding! He was in Cincinnati a few years ago. I had been looking forward to going for months- than I got the flu and couldn't go. Boy was I bummed! Hope he gets back to the Dayton or Cincinnati area again soon. I would love to see him in person!

 

[Palms]

When i use the term, "over the top", Shannon, I personally refer to the Faux pax handtied that i watched. It used tons of roses and in your average florist this would not be the norm, but it would definately sell as a smaller design with possibilties of upselling. Or, copied or used as inspiration for window designs in silk. JMO.

 

[Brad]

Have you ever met J Schwanke from Jtv and Ubloom? I haven't but I think it would be a blasty blast to hang out with him for a day! What do you think of him and his designs? Have you ever tried any of them in your shop and is it appropriate for your type of clientele? I think most of his stuff is a little too much high style for my customers. I like the idea of the Ask bouquets that he showed for one Valentine's. We have tried this on a small scale with making our own premade greenery bouquets and it has worked well. His flower shop gang bit cracks me up everytime. He's never grumpy and he keeps saying keep having fun with flowers! Everything is so fascinating to him. He is like a child on Christmas day opening up presents...lol I wish we could all be as excite d and optimistic as J.

It is very important that we stay up to date with the design styles and products in our industry.I find Ubloom and J an asset to the modern designer and flower shop a great place to look for new ideas and inspiration as I have said in the past(and was taught to learn) you do not need to be better than your competition just different and I find so many tricks and design secrets from not only J but a lot of the designers on UBloom aka Tracy Park...Amanda Johnson...and many designers I am also proud to know here on Flowerchat.My advise be more open minded and optimistic in 2009 and my guess is you will be more profitable as well-Respectfully Brad

 

[greatflowerlady]

Do you guys REALLY think his work is over the top? Really?

I just don't see it that way at all.

I love him and his work, I just never thought of his stuff as over the top, Just really well designed, maybe I'm missing something, or maybe I'm over the top and don't know it... HA!

Your work is very high end. beautiful a differnt style..