Sympathy Design

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Treen - another H U G E issue is that these pieces are generally done with one day's notice - our Philly's "P" was ordered on thursday afternoon for a Friday visitation, delivery by 12pm. This is very typical, though sometimes I'll have one or two extra days - which feels like a giant luxury. I don't typically carry white chrysanthemums or carnations, the norm for making set pieces like these, so they're special ordered, cut down to 12" or less in hot water to force opening. The last shamrock I made, there weren't any white mums or carns to be had - made from yellow & painted they he** out of them with two cans of spray.

If I remember correctly, the last time we talked about these stunning pieces you make, you mentioned you have more time, sometimes a week? I could be mistaken, but I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to have just a few more days for diagraming, shaping & procuring product with more time for maturing.

Every time I do an specialty piece, I show your album to our employees - it's very inspiring! :)
 
Not customers..

Its not the customers who worry me, but the Funeral Directors. They hate anything like this anymore, I have 2 funeral homes that I dread delivering to, but the rest are like a dream.

I just want people to have what they want, especially when they pay for it, but then to do all the work and have the funeral home not accept it, that's a whole other story....
 
Jean, I have a very easy, very simple answer to that dilemma. You know the funeral homes and directors who give you the problems.

AT THE TIME OF CONSULTATION........if the funeral is going to be at or any part of the service held at one of the problem funeral homes, inform the family of this fact. Show where they have refused to accept certain types of arrangements.

Then explain to the family that they will have to speak with the funeral director and let them know that they will expect them to accept the work you send.

If enough families get ahold of the director and set them straight, your problem will soon disappear.
 
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Treen, i am sure i have seen a very good example of a pool table that you did or am i dreaming? If it is you why not attach it and show it, its funeral work at its best!:thumbsup

We do seem to get more time for funeral work than over the pond it seems, unfortunately for me i dont get a lot of funeral work but when i do i always suggest something unique.
 
Yes we do seem to get more notice over here in the UK. The lorry I did the other week ( on design uk ) we had 10 days notice & one of the girls took an order on last wednesday for a flag. That is being collected next Friday. One problem we get nowdays is to get a wire frame made might take 3 or 4 days since there are only a few frame makers still around.
 
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RWK said:
Time and Labor in doing a design like the caravan or some of the other designs that treen showcased is a great question Heather.

Looking at the caravan, I would estimate that the entire design....from concept, to making the form, to inserting the florals.......took at least two days time with more than one designer working on the design.

Bearing that the rate of exchange between the euro, pound, and dollars makes a difference, I would estimate that design would need to be at least 1,000 dollars US currency.
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Just little old me in a work shop outside of the shop as it wouldn't fit through our shop door. It physically took me 20 hours (excluding the many brain hours planning it in my head). The customer paid £1000 for this and I was happy with the price I'd charged in terms of profit. Probably more importantly for me on this occasion was the opportunity to do this piece..... it is customary for most Romany funerals to have the flowers prepared by the Romany florist. I've had a lot of return business as a result of this piece and am confident that will continue over time.

Something like the large letter tributes only take 2 to 3 hours as I'm well practiced at the design and mechanics aspects.

We do tend to get up to a weeks notice to do these pieces but if some one handed me the money and only gave me 24 hours notice I wouldn't have a problem with that ..... business is business:thumbsup

I'd rather do a £1000 caravan than a £1000 wedding anyday of the week ...... 20 hours labour would be about the time I'd spend with the bride and her mother just planning:rofl:
 
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That caravan was amazing and I'd love the full details on it .£1000 well done .I'd take this order any day .:thumbsup
Teresa
 
This discussion reminds me of RC's motorcycle sympathy tribute.

Custom pieces do take time, yet they can help make your store stand out from the competition - and are really a mark of a real, skilled florist.

Carved styro can get weakened with all the flower weight so we usually reinforce across the back with 1/2" diamter bamboo attached with dixon pins.

We recently made this leaping dolphin (a little over 6' overall when mounted on the easel).
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CHR said:
Carved styro can get weakened with all the flower weight so we usually reinforce across the back with 1/2" diamter bamboo attached with dixon pins.
Click to expand...
We also use cardboard, or lathe (1"x 1/8" wood strips), or scrap luon or any other lightweight scrap wood hanging around. Seems there's always a pile of wood in my shop somewhere, so we now save it just for reinforcing these.

Beautiful paint job on the dolphin, as well as the design of course. I find some pretty designs at funeral homes just ruined by poor painting techniques.
 
it is customary for most Romany funerals to have the flowers prepared by the Romany florist.


I'd rather do a £1000 caravan than a £1000 wedding anyday of the week ...... 20 hours labour would be about the time I'd spend with the bride and her mother just planning:rofl:[/quote]

What is Romany?? Just want to understand.

I'm with you on the wedding vs sympathy thing ;)
 
CHR said:
Carved styro can get weakened with all the flower weight so we usually reinforce across the back with 1/2" diamter bamboo attached with dixon pins.
Click to expand...

Great tip, thank you!


Tracy D'Amico said:
We also use cardboard, or lathe (1"x 1/8" wood strips), or scrap luon or any other lightweight scrap wood hanging around. Seems there's always a pile of wood in my shop somewhere, so we now save it just for reinforcing these.
Click to expand...

Also a great, even cheaper tip! Thanks!
 
treen said:
I'd rather do a £1000 caravan than a £1000 wedding anyday of the week ...... 20 hours labour would be about the time I'd spend with the bride and her mother just planning:rofl:
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I'm with you on the wedding vs sympathy thing ;)[/quote]

I'd rather have a $1000 funeral called in by a funeral director or family member that leaves the details to us - the floral experts. IMO, the real beauty is in the flowers... and the real profit is in as little BS as possible. Love orders like these... $400 casket spray, $200 head basket, $200 fireside, $200 fireside basket.... with a my favorite two words "designer's choice".
 
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