Welcome to a new feature here on The Blog! It's called Meet the Vendor and, as the name would suggest, it's a chance for you to get to know other local wedding vendors here in the Baltimore/DC area. This week, meet Amy Epstein, owner and creative genius behind Crimson & Clover Floral Design. Originally located on Boston Street in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood, Amy recently relocated her studio to a brand new space in Roland Park, and I have to say it's an absolute visual dream! You can tell Amy put as much thought into designing her studio as she does into all of her designs. Her new space has a walk-in cooler where you can browse available stems (kick off your weekend with half price off all stems during Friday "happy hour!"), gifts galore, a cozy area for client consults, and my personal favorite, a candy bar (!!!). Enjoy my Q & A session with Amy, and a quick look inside her new studio!
Q: How did you get started in floral design?
A: I had always wanted to work in a flower shop since I was little because it just seems like such a fun, happy atmosphere to be in. Unfortunately I didn't actually work in one til I was 25. After moving to Baltimore with my NJ certification to be an art teacher, I did my usual and called every florist in the phone book. In the past they always just wanted people with experience and since I had none, it had remained just a dream. Though this time, I was hired and loved it immediately. After studying fine arts, interior design and art education, I found that floral design encompassed everything I loved to do. Since I was so passionate about it, I learned a lot very quickly and had my own shop open in just 3 short years.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a floral designer?
A: The craft! I love that what i do allows a tremendous amount of creativity but that working with flowers required the constraints of a craft. Unlike painting and sculpting alone, the craft is to make a bouquet, a boutonniere, a corsage, etc. And I'm always inspired to try the same thing a new way.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
A: Wow, really everywhere. I watch a lot of wedding shows and read a lot of wedding and high-end floral design magazines. I love seeing the amazing abstract artwork they're doing with flowers in the Netherlands and then making it marketable here.
Q: What should a bride and groom expect in the design process, from start to finish?
A: Exactly that, that it is a process. They want to come in and get everything settled in their first visit. But then they have new ideas, and I have new ideas. I think they should be open to change as it needs to be made.
Q: What advice do you have for brides on a smaller floral budget to save money without sacrificing on overall style?
A: Sad to say, my advice has nothing to do with flowers. To get a lot of style pick some fabulous linens, or even overlays you can use over your venue's plain white linens and then add lots of candles. The color and patern of the linen will really help get the look across without having to do it all with the flowers.
Q: Where did you get the name Crimson & Clover?
A: I remember sitting and brainstorming with my brother and his partner about names. I definitely didn't want "Amy's Flowers", I needed something memorable that would also stand out as different, fun, and styled, and that would appeal to my target demographic of ages 20 and up. Everyone knows that song, whether its the version by Tommy James and The Shondells (who happens to be from Baltimore), or Joan Jett's interpretation...there's even a song by Jimmy Eat World called Crimson & Clover. And it's colors...crimson and clover. And two of my favorites at that!
