Other Than Fresh Cut Sympathy Design

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Would Kay Berry be the best for stepping stones? We are looking for another source since our last source is now for sale at Wally.

We have been doing very well with blooming shrubs, Memory garden baskets (all perennials) etc. But they are not available to sell in winter. Can't dig a hole :)

If we get some who are adamant about wanting that type of item, we have a poem we send with a gift certificate redeemable in the spring. We add it to a small vase or plant so there is some tribute at the service.
 
When do you suggest throw, stone, etc.?

Most of our customers just call for a $40 fresh flower arrangement. I'm trying to train my staff to say, "We have.... that we could include with those flowers...."

At what point in the conversation do you offer this. Do you offer it everytime?

We have stepping stones that I know would sell a whole lot better if they were more comfortable with suggesting them. Most of our sympathy work is called in over the phone.
 
Speaking of.....

Today I had a request from a customer to create a gift basket type arrangement with some live flowers to go to a funeral. The funeral is for a lady that owned a catering business.

I created a garland of seeded euc, solidago, and purple monte. She stopped in to see it and loved it.

I would love to see pics of others sympathy creations.
 

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Inka, there is a company out of Ohio called Tomijon that has stepping stones cheaper than Kay Berry but I don't know how the materials compare. Anyway, I don't know if he actually ships. I see him at gift shows and he brings merchandise with him and sells it right there (well out of a big truck in the parking lot). :)

He was at the Lansing Gift Show but I heard the Aug. one is cancelled. He is also at the Columbus show I think but it has been several years since I have been there.

Anyone else know?

Wanda

PS He is where I have gotten the glass blocks with laser sculpted images inside that people around here seem to like.
 
DistinctiveFlorist said:
clear glass blocks with laser sculpted designs inside (on revolving block) is this the same thing you were refrring to felicity flowers?
Kay Berry's garden benches
Click to expand...

Wanda,

Sorry, I didn't see this until right now.

No, they are glass blocks like you would use instead of a window, holes are drilled into them and string "Christmas" lights are inserted into the blocks with a big bow tied around.
Here's a website that has them:
http://glassblocklight.com/
 
really, those are the newest craft craze for the snowbirds in Fla....
Had a couple bring some in to put ribbons on them.
People here wouldn't pay any money for them, they'd make their own.
 
DistinctiveFlorist said:
Inka, there is a company out of Ohio called Tomijon that has stepping stones cheaper than Kay Berry but I don't know how the materials compare. Anyway, I don't know if he actually ships. I see him at gift shows and he brings merchandise with him and sells it right there (well out of a big truck in the parking lot). :)

He was at the Lansing Gift Show but I heard the Aug. one is cancelled. He is also at the Columbus show I think but it has been several years since I have been there.

Anyone else know?

Wanda

PS He is where I have gotten the glass blocks with laser sculpted images inside that people around here seem to like.
Click to expand...

They have a website. They are based in Wapakoneta, Ohio. In fact, I just got a delivery from them an hour ago.

http://www.fgmkt.net/tomijonwholesale/

I don't know how far they go for delivery or if they ship. If anyone needs the phone number direct to the truck, pm me.
 
I sell posy pads with a small pottery angel attached particularly for babies graves.
Customers also buy windmills- all sizes and shapes and even put balloons on graves!
Tina
 
Butterflies are big here in the Midwest..The Symbolism with the life cycle(the fleeting quality of life), especially using Monarchs-just like they migrate in multiples...Use rattan or lily grass to encircle the flowers or plants and use at least 4 or 5 in a windswept look. This is also good for new baby's...Same symbolism only the beginning of a life....Lynne
 
Our most recent funeral, they noticed the candle arrangement in the fridge, we sent 4 large jar candles with the lids upside down- filled with flowers- best of both worlds- flowers and a candle to remember them by. The throws have not caught on here, but angels have been selling for years, along with butterflies, stepping stones, ect.
 
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inferno63 said:
They have a website. They are based in Wapakoneta, Ohio. In fact, I just got a delivery from them an hour ago.

http://www.fgmkt.net/tomijonwholesale/

I don't know how far they go for delivery or if they ship. If anyone needs the phone number direct to the truck, pm me.
Click to expand...

Just talked to the Tomijon sales guy.....he said he has more pictures on his myspace page:

www.myspace.com/tomijonwholesale

He also said that he goes into Michigan and stays in a hotel and sells out of his bus a few times a month. Not sure when or where but says if he has interest in other parts of the country, he would go there.
 
Im in the uk and tomorrow i have an order to do which has come through teleflorist from the US for a basket of mixed houseplants. This order has to be delivered to the house as a sympathy tribute for the family but they want me to put BROTHER on ribbon to go accross the basket. This is not a usual tribute for the funeral or for the house as a sympathy in the uk. My question is, is this usual for America? do you send baskets of plants out to the family with something like this written on ribbon as if it was a funeral tribute. thanks, hope ive explained myself okay, I dont want to upset the family and have told teleflorist hq about my concerns but they said thats whats been ordered so thats what we should send?
 
Hi Dee Dee. We used to get requests like that from parts of Europe... things like standing sprays with ribbon to go to the house. That's not the norm here. Planter baskets are used often, but typically not with scripted banners.

V
 
oh, well I was expecting you to say yes we send them all the time. Not sure what to do now:dunno:, think I'll speak to teleflorist hq again in the morning, thanks for the info victoria, i appreciate that:thumbsup
 
Dee Dee, it is typical for scripted ribbon to be used on things going to the funeral home. Perhaps the sender wanted it sent to the funeral home?

V
 
I would just send it out as requested. I've worried about things like this but found no one else is bothered. We can't all have taste!
 
We would call the recipient to advise them of the pending delivery. More often than not they would request it go to the funeral home.

V
 
Thanks for the help, we've sent it out as requested with brother accross the basket, we couldnt send it to the funeral home even if the family okayed it because if anything went pear shaped then I would be at fault for not delivering it to the requested address. The funeral is today so we have sent it out first thing incase they decide to take it with them to the funeral, so I think thats the best I could do under the circumstances, felt a bit like my hands were tied because teleflorist dont seem to be bothered and they are happy as long as I do as requested, even if its not the done thing, it must be too much bother to get back in touch with the customer
 
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