The trend for dried flowers shows no signs of slowing. Sustainable and economical, with minimal maintenance required. It’s the perfect combination! And with more people looking to brighten up their homes during lockdown, it seems the pandemic was a good time for Sarah to launch Horseshoe Flowers, her dried flower studio. With bright, vibrant and artistically curated blooms, her creations are a far cry from the the dusty dried flower arrangements of yesteryear. Beautiful, colourful and designed to last, Sarah’s hand-tied bouquets are limited in quantity and her designs change every month. She’s got some fabulous dried wreaths for the festive season too. Definitely worth a look; I’ve got my eye on the electric blossom wreath!
Here’s Sarah to tell you a little more about the person behind the brand….
1/ What was the main motivation behind setting up your floral studio?
After having spent 15 years working in the fashion industry, I was looking for a new career that would allow me creative freedom whist being able to work for myself. I had a very high stress job before, travelling all over the world and working long hours. I was really looking for something that allowed me to be flexible, offer some work /life balance and enable me to spend more time with my family.
2/ Where did the name Horseshoe Flowers come from?
When my grandmother passed away I took a vintage horseshoe from her house as a memento. It had hung at the back door of their farmhouse, a really special place for me while I was growing up.The horseshoe travelled with me from England to the US, where I lived for 13 years. It had pride of place in my upstate New York house until we moved back to the UK last year when it travelled back across the Atlantic with us! It just seemed right to incorporate it into my new business somehow. So that’s the story of the horseshoe and how it helped me create my new venture!
3/ What do you love most about your work?
I absolutely love working directly with my customers, whether its on a bespoke colourway or specific design, or if it’s working with brides designing their wedding flowers.
4/ Where do you find your inspiration?
I’m inspired by the flowers. When I am shopping for my stock I get so excited about the possibilities! Then I think about colour; colour combinations that would look pretty. I also find ideas in the craziest places, for example the other day I took a photo of the cuttings I had made when making up various bunches because the colours looked so magical together. I’ll then recreate it.
5/ Describe your style.
I have always said, I just wanted my flowers to look vivid and interesting. I can’t stand the dried flowers of old days where they just look like a bunch of dead sticks!!
6/ What’s the favourite floral piece you’ve designed?
A beautiful bridal bouquet I created with preserved hydrangeas and grasses. It started me off thinking about bridal bouquets that can be kept, and how wonderful that would be.
7/ What’s the most popular item you sell?
Our frosted eucalyptus bouquet. It’ll be back in stock soon! We’ve just launched a frosted eucalyptus wreath too.
8/ What are you the most proud of?
That I set up this business, all by myself, during a pandemic whilst on maternity leave and looking after two small children! Lots of late nights were involved!
9/ What challenges have you faced whilst running your business?
Time is my biggest challenge. I have so many more ideas on where to take the business but I just don’t get enough time to get to everything. The orders come first!
10/ What do you love most about running your own business?
I love it that the possibilities are endless, no one is there telling me that it can’t be done.
11/ Who would be your ideal celebrity customer?
I’ve got a bit of a girl crush on Alexa Chung! I’d love to see her with a bunch of my blooms!
12/ What’s next for your floral studio?
We are launching our bridal collections online soon. I’m so excited to offer a simple floral solution to brides who might be overwhelmed by their options. I’m so happy that we can offer something special that can be kept long after the wedding!
Check out Sarah’s gorgeous collection at www.horseshoeflowers.com
And you can see more of her work on Instagram @horseshoeflowers
