Bellingham Flower Shops

Bellingham WA News

Aug 22, 2019

The art of arrangement - Cascadia Weekly

Where: Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. Cost: Free Info: http://www.facebook.com/bellinghamfarmers By Amy Kepferle Wednesday, August 21, 2019 I’ve long been of the opinion that flower arranging is an art form. Unfortunately, it’s one I’ve yet to master. My problem isn’t with growing flowers, it’s with what to do with them after I’ve cut them and brought them inside. Typically, I just stick like with like in a vase—red dahlias with purple and orange dahlias, humongous sunflowers with smaller sunflowers, clusters of white hydrangeas—and call it good. However, a Flower Bouquet Contest happening during Bellingham Farmers Market’s inaugural Flower Festival Sat., Aug. 24 at the Depot Market Square got me thinking about how to bring elements from my garden together in a more creative and cohesive fashion. Perusing websites on the topic helped me see I was already doing some things correctly. I always trim an inch or more off stems to help them better absorb water, strip off any leaves that fall below the water line, add large blooms first to ensure even placement, and attempt to leave enough space between the stems so the individual flowers have room to show off. But I also learned that height matters. Apparently, you’re supposed to make your bouquet taller tha...

Jun 16, 2017

The new look in floral arrangements is wilder, seasonal and local

Michele M. Waite, provided by Chronicle BooksErin Benzakein in a field of peonies at North Field Farm in Bellingham, Wash. The photo is featured in Benzakein’s book, “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden.”... (The Denver Post)

Jan 26, 2017

Flower Power —Tea with Christie Tomlin of Birchwood Botanicals

Christie started her business 37 years ago. She sells oils, soaps and other home-crafted personal care products at the Bellingham Farmers Market. During the holiday season, Birchwood Botanicals appears at the Allied Arts Holiday Festival. Christie also sells her products through her website. For Christie, her natural body care business finds its origins in a personal connection to the land. “I started working with herbs when I was around 21 and I was pregnant with my first child. I started reading and exploring the uses of herbs. I found myself fascinated with the history and folklore of herbs and their many uses. This led me to explore the medicinal uses of herbs and turning these precious plants into oils and salves to use on our bodies for gentle and safe nourishment and healing.” Calendula growing on a three (and a half) acre farm in Birchwood. Photo credit: Christie Tomlin. On a rainy January day, I sipped a chamomile-mint blend tea while Christie and Brenna described their seasonal work and connection to the earth. As we sat at an oak table, Christie’s two dogs relaxed in the background seemingly enjoying our conversation. These two women along with Mary Ann preserve a folkloric tradition that brings renewal to the earth and our bodies. “My love of herbs was a self-discovery,” recalls Christie. “However, I did grow up helping and learning to grow and preserve food that came from my Grandfather’s gardens and orchards. When I was in my twenties, I met an older woman, MaryAnn who quickly became my gardening mentor and my dearest friend, teaching me how to get my hands dirty. “To date Mary Ann continues to guide me through the process of growing and creating herbal products. With her encouragement and support, I now have a part-time employee, Brenna, who has fulfilled an apprenticeship with us. Together we are finding joy and fulfillment passing on to her all the knowledge and ex... (whatcomtalk.com)

Aug 15, 2016

Darrington Summer Meltdown really gets cookin' on Sunday

Hamer and Jillian Walker — all grew up in the Mount Vernon area. To these rising stars, the Meltdown “feels like home.” The band got its start in Bellingham and is now based in Seattle. Earlier this year, Rabbit Wilde performed at Fisherman’s Village Music Festival in Everett and at String Summit near Portland. After Meltdown, the band will perform at Bumbershoot over Labor Day weekend in Seattle and for a little gig Aug. 24 at the Snohomish County Courthouse Plaza. “It’s really just a little pop-up show with us running our own sound,” she said. “So it’s more like amplified busking.” While it’s unintentional, the Sunday Meltdown line-up has a nice focus on women. “Many American music styles have traditionally been dominated by white men,” Zickler said. “It used to be that you got signed to a record label or you did not work. Now, though, it’s easier to start your own project in music you care about and have a fair shot. A lot of women are making Americana music their own.” In Rabbit Wilde, the entire quartet is involved in composition and that’s evident on the band’s new CD “The Heartland,” which blends bits of bluegrass, indie rock, pop, blues and soul. “It’s a completely collaborative effort,” Zickler said. “At Meltdown, we’ll be playing mostly off the new album.” Rabbit Wilde shares a booking agent with another Americana band, Rising Appalachia, so they’ve shared stages as well. “The Smith sisters (from Rising Appalachia) are passionately full of music,” Zickler said. “They grew up in Atlanta and lived in New Orleans, so their music is folk and soul with urban and hip hop elements as well.” Rising Appalachia is known for its focus on songs steeped in tradition and devotion to justice and cultures from around the world. Leah and Chloe Smith have said they believe that “the roots of old songs are vital to American’s ever-evolving soundscape.” STS9, which performed in June with Rabbit Wilde at the Electric Forest Festival in Michigan, focuses on instrumental rock, electronica, lots of drums, funk, jazz, physchedelia, hip hop in what the band has called “post-rock dance music.” STS9 — Hunter Brown, Jeffree Lerner, David Phipps, Zach Velmer and Alana Rocklin — on Sept. 2 will release a new album, “The Universe Inside.” On its website, the band says it’s an album about “human identity and the magical truth of who we are, where we’re going, and our place in the universe.” The album opens with “Supercluster,” which represents the band’s journey beginning with its 1998 debut “Interplanetary Escape Vehicle.” Aug. 12 at the Summer Meltdown Josh Clauson and Friends, DBST, Analog Son, Chon, Ayron Jones and The Way, Blue Scholars, Bright Light Social House, Jimmy Glitch, Boombox Kid, Sunsquabi, Michael Menert, Shook Twins, Budos Band and Gramatik. A... (HeraldNet)

Apr 28, 2016

Faces of the Bellingham Farmers Market: Dona Flora Herbs & Flowers

Beth Hailey from Dona Flora provides fresh and dried bouquets at the Bellingham Farmers Market. Small bouquets of honeysuckle with tulips or full bouquets packed tight with lilacs, euphorbia and Lenten rose are just a couple of the freshly arranged flower combinations found prepared and ready to take home from Dona Flora Herbs and Flowers at the Bellingham Farmers Market. At Dona Flora, owner Beth Hailey creates bouquets prepared the night before with flowers often grown from seeds or starts at her Bellingham farm on Best Road. Small bouquets sell for under $4, and premium bouquets — specially arranged by her daughter Maya — sell for around $20. “She just does extraordinary arrangements,” Beth says of her daughter’s work. “She doesn’t think she’s creative, and yet she can make these bouquets that I can’t replicate.” Throughout the day, tourists and regulars peruse Beth’s fragrant and colorful selection, delighted by the sweet-smelling arrangements they will either gift to a loved one or choose to display in their own homes. Small bouquets of fresh flowe... (whatcomtalk.com)

Mar 11, 2016

State Supreme Court to hear Arlene's Flowers case

Kennewick. Citing her relationship with Jesus, Stutzman declined the request. Ingersoll and Freed, who now live in Bellingham, were stung by the rejection. Instead of a 100-guest garden wedding, they married at home with 10 guests. The couple said they downsized their plans over fears they would be rejected for their sexual orientation by other prospective vendors. The state claims Arlene’s violated the Consumer Protection Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Benton County Judge Alex Ekstrom granted summary judgment in favor of the state. Also, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Stutzman on behalf of Ingersoll and Freed. And Stutzman is facing legal action from the state Attorney General’s Office for violating the state’s anti-discrimination laws. The conservative Alliance Defending Freedom has asked Ferguson to withdraw the state suit and has filed a countersuit, which is pending in U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington. The case has sparked much discussion on local, state and national levels. This story is developing. Check back for updates. (The Bellingham Herald)