Description
The Professional Business of Floristry & Events Styling course is one of the top floristry qualification courses in London. Having successfully completed the floristry course, students receive the accredited Judith Blacklock Diploma, which is recognised by the best establishments worldwide. Thanks to Judith’s extensive national and international contacts, students will also have the opportunity to put their learning into practice with hands-on work experience in selected floristry businesses – shop work, events, weddings, parties and every other aspect of floristry. Judith liaises with her contacts at prestigious florists in English-speaking countries across the world to arrange this work experience.
The business course, devised and developed by Judith, has been running for 16 years and past students are now working in a wide range of floral careers with great success. Judith is proud of her students and passionate about making sure that they achieve the best possible results wherever they are in the world. The school is small and personal attention and care is given to all students. We look after all of you, not just on the course but when you start up your own business and have questions you need answering. Everyone who comes to the course says that it is great fun and immensely enjoyable.
Practical work
The floristry course covers all aspects of practical work associated with floristry. Students gain confidence creating work such as handtieds, table centrepieces and buttonholes and then graduate onto larger and more elaborate pieces where they develop their own style.
An understanding of wiring and its use is essential to be able to offer a broad portfolio of work and this is taught in easy stages. By the end of their eight days, students will be creating a magnificent fully-wired shower bouquet – the ultimate in floristry technique and skill.
There are at least two hands-on practical sessions a day and all work can be taken home. The designs cover both classic and contemporary styles to give a thorough grounding in all aspects of floral design and trends relevant today.
Flora Magazine
Judith is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Flora which relaunched in Summer 2019. Students will have the opportunity to create designs for possible inclusion in the magazine.
Business skills
The information about business skills is geared specifically to the floristry industry and is taught by experts from different areas within the floral world. The credentials of our principal teaching staff can be found in About Us. The Judith Blacklock Flower School is the only private school where they teach.
Our students
About half our students are from the UK and the others from countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas and the rest of the world. The mix of nationalities is wide, but everyone is linked by a desire to add floristry to their skills. The lifelong friendships that are made at the school are a perfect way to exchange information and trends across the world.
Our teaching
Due to years of experience we have gathered together the essentials of the floristry industry. With our excellent teachers we can teach an unparalleled amount in eight days. Each unit is taught step by step with full explanation. Questions from the students are welcomed – we want you all to learn as much as you can in a relaxed and helpful environment.
Each teacher has a particular expertise and all are qualified in both teaching and floristry. As each tutor is currently working in the industry, they all have up-to-date knowledge of trends and present practices which they are happy to share. This means that whatever direction you want to take you will always be given expert advice. From weddings on a budget to private dinners at Kensington Palace, the course leaders have been there and done that . . . and are happy to share their insider secrets with you.
Our Business of floristry course has been much copied over the years, but Judith takes imitation as a form of flattery. She has hit upon the perfect formula, which has been tried and tested many times, as satisfied students all round the world will agree. Judith firmly believes that no other establishment can offer an equivalent level of teaching and experience, both technically and theoretically, in the same time and for the same money.
Practical work, including:
- Parties and events
- Events Styling
- Weddings
- Contracts
- Sympathy work including specific designs in the USA (on request)
- Handtieds
- Vase designs
- Table centrepieces
- Buttonholes and corsages
- Floral crowns
- Garlands
- Shower bouquets
- Archways
- Flower walls (theory of techniques)
- Hanging arrangement (theory of techniques)
- Tablescape design
- Wrapping plants
- Candelabra
and a lot more…
Business skills including:
- Window dressing
- Purchasing flowers and sundries – the best suppliers – We also take you through the whole process in detail on purchasing flowers online
- A visit to New Covent Garden Flower Market
- Costing and pricing
- Setting up a business or home or taking on premises
- Social media for florists
- Photography and creating a portfolio
- Working in a shop or unit
- Stock control
- Establishing a flower business
- Marketing
- The tricks and secrets of the flower industry
- How to compete with the supermarkets
Students are given a detailed plan of the course on arrival and asked if there is anything extra they would like covered – and of course we try to accommodate this.
Having successfully completed the floristry course, students receive the accredited Judith Blacklock Diploma
AIFD® Certified Floral Designer
Students who successful complete the required Education Partner coursework, receive a hands-on evaluation deeming the student’s work at the level of a Certified Floral Designer (CFD®) and subsequent Educational Partner referral, will receive an invitation to become a Certified Floral Designer through the American Institute of Floral Designers® (AIFD®). For full information about the CFD® certification, please visit: https://aifd.org/membership/becoming-a-cfd/
A few examples of what past students who have taken this course have gone onto achieve – we are immensely proud:
https://sites.google.com/view/greenfingersandthumbs/home
Work experience placements have included:
Nikki Tibbles
Floward
Blue Lavender
Mary Jane Vaughan
John Carter
Larry Walsh
Lanesborough Hotel
Dorchester Hotel
NB Flowers
Amie Bone
Plus many more including Winston Flowers (Boston USA)
Julie Higgins – June/July 2021 –
Amazing course. Would highly recommend it. I feel I have learnt so much and I didn’t want the course to end! Loved every Saturday. Learnt so much and met some wonderful people. I am so happy to have had work experience with a first class prestigious florist in central London. I made some great hand tied bouquets with the help of some amazing staff.
Eva Louise Storch – June-July 2021 –
Brilliant course with a great balance of practical experience and business knowledge from both Judith and the other tutors. You learn so much each session about the flowers and the best way to create each practical piece.
Megan Blom – March to May 2021 –
Thank you to everyone for making this course happen. I’ve learnt so much, met some lovely people, and have really enjoyed spending my Saturdays doing something creative like this!
I officially start my work experience at Moyses Flowers in Chelsea in June, so let’s hope now, it’s something that can turn into a passionate and long term career!
Claudia Tidy –
This was a really great course and I learnt so much. It is a great start to the career which I now more than ever want to do.
G. Forgham –
Well what an amazing course covering so much more than I had anticipated. A brilliant range of instructors who were inspiring and passionate. I can’t wait to get started.
Sarah MacSwiney Sept- Nov 2020 –
Firstly I would like to say a very big thank you to you and your wonderful team for the past 8 weeks. I have learnt so much, been taught by the most highly regarded professionals within the world of floristry, made some fantastic new friends, but most of all under the guidance of Judith Blacklock – the Queen of Floristry.
Louise Ansell, Sept – Nov 2020 –
I had wanted to do this course for a very long time and when the course became available on a Saturday I jumped at the chance and I was very glad I did!