Techniques To Become a Top Floral Designer 

I worked in two different floral shops and was blessed to get on the job training. His technique is right on--think shapes. Round, triangles, etc. Dozen roses is always done in a circle, just the way he explained. However, I don't agree with the stem length of the leather leaf. You NEVER want to put any leaves below the water line because that's what kills your flowers. The slime will build up because of leaves in the water. Both shops had to have a longer shelf life, plus if someone buys your arrangement, you don't want them dead once they bring them home. By not allowing leaves in your water, you can have flowers live up to almost two weeks.

This is Michael's gift to the world. You give joy and happiness. And you help to softened the blows of an otherwise harsh world. Thank you. Beautiful work!

i learned more in this segment than all the classes I paid for

I've watched this video many times. Been 6 years now since I was in grocery store floral. But your methods saved me to do the arrangements fast. Retired more rural now but plan on growing lots of things to make my own bouquets. A bit different zone but I've grown the leather leaf ferns and baby's breathe before.

I learned this technique as a teen but in order for the flowers to last years or decades, they must be dried and assembled in a completely humidity free environment. Then they are baked slowly for up to two weeks in a special room. The Egyptians perfected this technique thousands of years ago, the "secret" is silica grains you mix with sand. This video is all done is a semi outdoor humid environment so the flowers will not last long. I don't particulary like using wine glasses, it's better to use short wide flat glasswear like a covered candy dish that can really showcase the arrangement. If you can find any around I used to work for Ruth Rahns Flowers in PA, hers were only sold in jewelry stores they were so magnificent. The label will be on the bottom. I have only one left I did with wild violets, they last decades after being dried.

I do honestly believe some people were meant to be teachers bc I would NOT have explained it with as much detail as he did.

I’m a new floral designer- and have just started in a floral shop as such. I got introduced to your channel. Floristry has brought me such great joy- and watching you teach has brought me joy as well! I wish I had the chance to learn from you in person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and talent with the world. Throughout the video I kept smiling- and nodding my head in agreement thinking of what I do everyday in design! Sending love and light.

I just happened upon Michael Gaffney’s RU-vid video and watched in awe as he demonstrated and explained his techniques for arranging a bouquet of roses. He made the task seem so easy by showing while using language that compared floral arranging techniques to concepts any layperson could relate. I am a retired teacher and tried my hand at some floral arranging years ago. I was not very successful, so I gave up after spending a lot of time and money on a hobby that didn’t pan out. Even though I have more time now to spend on a hobby, when I think about my failure back then, I have pushed the thought back and not seriously considered attempting this particular hobby again. After watching just one of his videos, I am eager to rush out and purchase materials to try my hand at arranging some bouquets again…this time with more confidence. I read some of the comments after watching the video and was surprised at some of the negative reactions. It makes me wonder at their agendas for slamming his video even if they didn’t agree with some of his techniques. Mr. Gaffney demonstrates qualities of a great teacher. He could have made nasty replies to unkind comments, but he chose to be a better person. Again, a quality of a true teacher as well as a nice guy who has nothing to prove to anyone. His results speak for themselves. Smart!

love love love the simplicity and elegance of this! Thank you for inspiring me. I'm a diy mom and do my sons' bouquets for their girlfriends and my daughter's graduation bouquet lol. I just love flower arranging at home this should be a new career for me. love you vibrant tutorial! new subbie here

thx. For attending free classes go to www.flowerschool101.com for a city near you..

Man, I worked at a florist where, if I did greening like you I would have gotten yelled at by the boss. They didn't want art there so much as cheap, quick schlock. I was told to do greening all bunched in the hand and dropped into the vase. Your technique is interesting and really nice looking though! I'm gonna study this video.

This is amazing very good teacher I’ve been taking notes from these videos and it’s so far helping a lot I’ve been helping out in the Floral Department at my job and no one had the time really to show me how to design all the flowers so I started up in my note book taking notes in case I need them for Mother’s Day and this does look a lot better then the ones at our store they don’t do the professional way and you can tell all the flowers just flop over the place lol. They also don’t look like they have been getting taken care of properly either. The real florist has been out sick and I miss her a lot hopfully she will come back so I can learn from her I get along with her so well. 💖💥

Amazing teacher. I attended his classes and yes his techniques work. All floral designers know that this is the way..thank you for teaching me how to design effectively. I follow these methods everyday on the job. My career has gone so well thanks to the things I've learned from his classes and his videos. Thx

Your are wonderful, even in my old age I’ve learned something from you. Thanks. Blessings.

Thank you for sharing your gift and knowledge of flower arranging. I've tried for years to arrange silk flowers for the cemetery. My mom wants me to make at least a dozen arrangements for each holiday. Now I can use these techniques to make them more appealing!

Where have you been all my life?? I feel like I need to take this hilariously and ridiculously talented individuals class! Just in one video, noticing that geometry and trimming is key to any lavish arrangement, I’m wondering what a whole class would do.

I'm going to a great school here in the Silicon Valley to get my certificate and I love your videos! I worked for a high end florist for 6+yrs and what you say in your videos and comments is spot on! I'll be watching even more (than I have lol) videos to round out my education. Thank you!

sunday morning, I'm not into floristry in particular but found this video mesmerizing! awesome pedagogical skills!

I saw Michael Gaffney going up the elevator going to GM floral at the flower market in LA while I was coming down it. My frist celebrity siting since I moved to LA 8 months ago!

So funny. I was never formally taught. But you and I do roses exactly alike. I made an amazing living in flowers. Enjoyed EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. Retired at 56, but still keep my hands in it. My favorite was always funeral work; Large, beautiful and showy. Bon adventure!

I love the way you teach it's fun and easy to learn and keep in your head thank you.

Loved this video. I have 150 roses in my garden and make arrangements to give as gifts all Spring and Summer. This was very helpful to me. Thanks.

i work at a flower shop and after wacthing this video and other they have help me out alot ty now i intend on improveing my skills and maybe one day i could be a top floral designer in my town

I loved the way he explained it. have seen many videos on how to and this is the best by far. I also took floral classes years ago so I have basics but need to refresh.

I love him! What a great sense of humor! A great teacher!

thank you very beautiful design excellent composition love the foliage loved the red roses so good to see a professional at work .. I might try this at home along with cake making

I am learning floral design...I tried this technique and it really does work. Thanks Mr. Gaffney. I am so proud of my first project.

Your amazing. Love watching you. All my flower arrangements are what I learn from you. Thank you

Classes begin every monday www.flowerschool101.com

Lovely,just reminded me of an old friend we went to help,he was a natural at arrangements, and we went out picking,such fun,to James Little God watch over you.All do your best and enjoy your arrangements x

He taught a class at Greenleaf where I work. Great teacher extremely good.

the leather leaf is just for instructional purposes. try salal leaf once you get used to the pattern ...as well as the scissors practice with a dull knife!

Great technique..easy to follow. Thank You.

OMG. you are incredible. I'm so glad I came across your video. I'm getting into more crafting especially silk flower arrangements. Thank you. Please post more videos.

This would be a fabulous living omg I would love to do this make these

I have learned so many tips just from this video and a few others. I plan on buying his book too. I work in the floral department in grocery chain. Have survived 4 years of retail politics. Have proven myself at 200% of doing the department fast etc. but these tips willl help my bid for a manager position. Customers always expect floral design at grocery store prices with limited product. I have already used this method of greening and feeding and has saved me time as well as broken flowers.

This is a great explanation of how to do a beautiful arrangement.

I'm not wild with the design, but I appreciate the techniques. I had no idea you have to go through all of that.

www.flowerschool101.com to join us in class!

I loved this video. I am now a subscriber; i learned so much today! Thank you Mike!

Thank you, Michael Gaffney! I'm really excited to be entering the world of floral design!

Free classes at www.flowerschool101.com

Thank you for this. Recently I have been drawn to this kind of artistic expression. It is very beautiful and I enjoyed watching this.

I love the final look! Stunning! Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to help me with doing my wedding arrangements

Enjoyed watching this guy, will seek out other videos by him, he is talented and funny too, good combination in my book!

Flower arranging has always been my greatest passion. The experience of creating a sensual sensory work of art with the gifts of the earth is something that just has to be a part of my life. XOXO ;P

More of Michael's Videos can be viewed here : ru-vid.comfeatured

Great teaching style.

All the greens are used to create full lush designs for my clients. . Every green is charged for. Scrawny see thru designs are for the grocers. Texturing the green breaks up all the base green. See Design Star the book for closeups of the design and European versions.keep bloomin.

A beautiful arrangement.💐🌹💐

Amazing! Thank you :) I love your confidence and expertise !

Gorgeous. Thank you for the formula.

See www.buyflowerpower.com for online classes

I love the simplicity and elegance the arrangement. ❤

First time watching this video very fascinating , very good techniques, i am looking forward to continue to watch more ...thank so much for the lesson & wonderful teaching 👏🙏

its nice for beginners. it depends on the clients . some they like more green and some they like less green and more flowers.

Just beautiful, absolutely beautiful!

Beautiful, elegant work of art. Thank you

This man is a natural.Each person has his or her own artistic flare. To those people making negative, ugly comments , please stop.

I like ur since of humor...i really love your style godbless you

i love how he explains every thing simply 💛

Brilliant . Love it come to London your fantastic. Thank you

Thankyou from my 💖I needed this to refresh my skills that I had non time to keep my dream , I lover flowers in all their form , like the music❗️

I think its beautiful how he is doing this.he knows how to create that flower.

I love and totally get his teaching style! Amazing man!!

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I love flower arrangements.thank you sir for your informative learnings.

I’ve just started playing around with faux flowers (from Michael’s) because I have a gangrene thumb. This was a great video! New sub, going to probably binge watch tonight.

I'm laughing so hard, thank you for being funny and great at explaining!

You make this look so very easy! Thanks for the video Michael!

This was a beautiful segment I love it I would love to learn that beautiful arrangement

Your presentation was very helpful, precise and clear. Thank you - Dabo

Being a florist myself and an instructor your greens should never be in your water line.. Basic floral design... It causes the greens to decay

Wonderful artististic and thank you❣

Ur so wise, professional, talented and gifted! Ur a true blessing in disguise! Thank u very much for ur teaching and ur delightful joy

I watch your videos in hopes it helps me take care of the floral dept at my work much better. Thanks for all your help!

This tutorial is super awesome. I learnt so much in just a few minutes♥️🌹👍

beautiful roses ..nice class.Thank you

Beautiful flowers and arrangements .This is a little heaven on earth.

Thank you. I was not taught this way. This is better. More greens less rose is better. You appreciate the individual space of the flower. Voila

Love this class.

OMG I'm so glad I don't have to do this anymore. People don't realize how much work it is. Try making 400 arranged roses per Florist, plus every other arrangement imaginable, for Valentines day. Standing on cold cement floors all day. Not to mention wet cold hands!!! all day. haling around heavy heavy buckets. In and out of the freezing could cooler, again, and again, and , again. Doing the same arrangements over, and over , until you just want to throw up flowers. Oh and the average florist doesn't make any more money then working a Walmart!!!

Bonjour de Paris. It is so beautiful. Thank you for teaching us

I dont know what the hell hes talking about, but I'm still here. lol.

I love this guy. He makes it look easy.

This guy is so great !!!

Just amazing great teacher!

Beautiful and so very easy and it just makes sense! Love it!

Thank you for the tips i learned about this beautiful design

Mr Gaffney! I received a certificate in floral design at a community college in Sacramento. I have my first floral audition in LA on Monday, a second in LA on tuesday, i know if I mentioned the places you would definitely know who they were. It will be my first time auditioning in a shop that focuses on such large events. I've been watching this video even though I'm familiar with making a design like this, because I love your technique, and I know it's very likely it will be one of the arrangements I'm asked to make. Could you make a video on what you think the most common floral arrangements shops ask a designer to do when they come in for their audition? Thanks!

Very easy and helpful

I love your technic and how simple you make it. What a great teacher 💐😁

You give joy and happiness. thank you.

Love all your flower arrangments, ideas and tutorials. Thank u

I was professionally taught by Bill Hixson ( School of Floral Design) flowers are placed 1-1&half times the height of the container--- otherwise the arrg't will look squatty.. This will Always look proportional & pleasing to the eye..I was taught so well by Bill, I was selected by Teleflora to design (and published) their Wedding Album ....marketed to 35,000 florist across the US!!! The highlight of my career--- 50 yrs. In this great industry.

What a marvelous expert

Love this show every day is learning

Never have I learned so much from you Sir. Thank you. X.

YES! Waxflower! I love waxflower. In my opinion there are filler flowers and accent flowers. Waxflower is the later. Baby's Breath is pretty tucked in here and there, but I hate it when it is the only "filler". 😝

literally the most darling teacher in the world.