Spring Market Recap

I wanted to write a proper recap of the Spring in the Heights market (an annual fundraising event for P.S. 187 in Washington Heights), because it was the first of hopefully many more markets and pop-ups to come. Last year I decided to make a shift in my approach to Elderflower, continuing to design flowers for New York area weddings and events, while also building into my local community here in upper Manhattan.

Though I’ve visited markets as a customer, and assisted other small business behind the scenes in similar environments, this was my first time attending a market as a vendor, with my own booth. In the weeks leading up to the market I spent far too much time agonizing over the details: How should I display the flowers and gifts? How do I ensure I don’t run out of flowers in the first 30 minutes, or go home with buckets and buckets of extra blooms? What is the best way to organize the bud vase bar I wanted to set up for kids and their families to make their own bud vase?

After a very helpful phone call with a florist friend and a bit of research I came up with a game plan, and hoped the rest would fall into place.

Since the market was a mix of vendor booths–makers, artists, and local shops and cafes–and activities for kids and families, I sold bud vases. This allowed me to offer something at a reasonable price point, and they would be easy to carry around. I had some ready-made buds in green and clear glass, and also set up a bud vase bar where guests could build their own bud vase using some of the fresh spring blooms (more on this later!).

I designed the focal arrangement here to place on the table, using locally-grown lilac, spirea, and sweet daffodils. On-site I added some deep plum-toned ranunculus–I couldn’t resist the depth of color they added to the arrangement. Using this as a starting point, I leaned into the contrasting color palette–soft purples and yellows–for the rest of the flowers.

All of the flowers were sourced from Bloomcourt Farm, in Chappaqua, and Flower Aggregate, a Brooklyn-based wholesaler who focuses on local flowers. The market was in early May, so there was an abundance of daffodil varieties, along with leucojum, ranunculus, and spirea.

The possible rain in the forecast held off, the sun poking through the clouds every now and then. And thankfully an unexpected gust of wind that toppled my large arrangement and spilled water all over the table cloth waited to arrive until it was almost time to pack up anyway. I truly loved meeting everyone who came by my table, connecting with neighbors and families who live uptown. I’ve been feeling so burnt out by screens and the limitations of digital connections recently, and the market was a much needed reminder that simply showing up and engaging with people in my community is deeply fulfilling.

Hopefully there will be more markets and pop-ups in upper Manhattan in the future, to bring flowers to our neighborhoods in Morningside Heights, Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood. I’m also going to be adding a bud vase bar and bud vase party favors to my offerings soon as a way to incorporate flowers into your events–baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, and other small gatherings–when full-service design or larger orders aren’t an option. Gathering around a table of flowers and making something, even something as small and simple as a bud vase is a great way to practice creativity and offers your friends and family a way to be in the moment, and enjoy what the season has to offer. So stay tuned.

You can stay up to date on all of the latest Elderflower events and offerings at @elderflower_studio or in the monthly newsletter.