Chapter 5 Into the World of Flowers
So one day when I sat in the chair at my hairdresser that we had used in the family for many years, we talked about what I wanted to do with my life. It’s what we all do at the hairdresser, right? At this time I was working with gardening, did a lot of weeding and planting, and started to feel there must be more than this. I had no connection to anyone in the flower business, and after years of going from flower shop to flower shop looking for weekend work, just to be turned away in the lack of experience, it seemed that my dream of working as a florist was still far away. But - my hairdresser suddenly says- well, I have a client that I work with every week, and she owns a flower shop, and also owns a large nursery for green & blooming plants. This became the connection I needed. She helped me connect me to Anita, her client, and in 1985-86 I started to work at Ellas Blomsterhandel in Sundbyberg, outside Stockholm. Starting from the bottom, sweeping floors, watering plants and cleaning flowers. I loved it.
I worked at this flowers shop while continuing applying for the floral design school, who at this time was the one and only in Sweden. They took in two classes every year, about 40 students. It was called Blomsterskolan, and it was based in Norrkoping, about 2 hours south of Stockholm. In 1986 I am finally old enough, and have earned enough credits to be accepted. My boss at the flower shop was incredible supported of me getting educated, so I got to go to school while still being able to work extra on Saturdays and holidays.
So I leave Stockholm behind again, live in student housing in Norrkoping during the weeks, taking the train home on Friday afternoons. The school is teaching classic floral design, all the basic techniques that in the end will take you to the Journey Mans certificate that we will hopefully graduate with. We learn economics and window display. More flowers and latin and common names. We learn all aspects of working at a flower shop. We have internships, and need to work and gather experience before applying and get accepted to the second and third semester. In 1989 I am ready for the practical test to receive the Journeymans certificate. To work as a florist is a very old trade, and I am so proud of being a craftsman/ artisan. The test then was to complete 6-7 different arrangements within 4 hours ( I think it was, it was a long time ago!) and pass the judges exam and get enough points to pass. I remember doing a funeral wreath, a wired and taped bridal bouquet, a bridesmaids bouquet and a larger arrangement & display that was something I had planned ahead. The other pieces I can’t remember now. But items for funeral, weddings and everyday.
I received my Journeymans certificate in Stockholm City hall, in the same large ballroom where the Nobel price dinner is held, in 1989. I had fullfilled my dream I had since I heard that radio interview many years earlier in my kitchen, as a 13 year old girl.
