Become a Maine Master Floral Designer Form

Click Here to Apply Online

Become a Maine Master Floral Designer....

Maine Master Floral Designer Program:

Challenge - Integrity - Professionalism
Knowledge - Commitment - Personal Growth

One of MSF&GA goals is to provide quality education for its’ members. They are pleased to now offer the Maine Master Floral Design School (mmfd). The advanced floral design course will provide the specialized, up-to-date, and in-depth knowledge of the elements and principles of design coupled with experience in floral mechanics and techniques. This course of study will be applied to floral compositions that are complex in theory and design. mmfd was established in 2003 to promote floral design excellence for the members of MSF&GA. The focus is to provide a source for higher standards in the art of floristry.

Instructor: Mark Pellon,mmfd
Classes held at Bennett Wholesale, Bangor
For more information:
Contact Mark @ 942-7386 - Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm or
email to chapelhillfloral@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________________________

Who is eligible to take the class?

1) Must be a member in good standing of MSF&GA or an employee of a member shop in good standing.
AND
2) Must have passed MSF&GA’s Professional Certified Florist Program (PCF) with 5 years exposure to floral design.
OR
A comparable or advanced course of study such as AIFD, college degree in retail floriculture or equivalent and 3 years exposure to floral design.
OR
3) Must have 5 years full time design experience. (Students must be able to show proof of design experience).
All eligibility for enrollment will be up to the MSF&GA Education Chairman and the instructor. Due to the nature of study, eligibility will be strictly enforced.

_________________________________________________________________

Course Out-line
Due to the nature of this course the classes are progressive and must be taken in order.

Class 1 - Overview, Discussion, Principles and Elements of Design

Introduction to the class with discussion on exams, design testing and scoring. Questions and answers regarding the structure of the classes. Written exam on Principles and Elements of Design.

Class 2 - Introduction To Advanced Design — Theory

What is Advanced Design? What is theory?
Introduction to — Guideline of Arrangement Categories
Elements
Color
Space Principles
Proportion
Rhythm
Focal Area
Focal Point
Balance Design Styles
Formal Linear
Mass
Hogarth Techniques
Kubari
Armature
Framing
Grouping

Design 1 - a Formal Linear Arrangement
Design 2 - a Hogarth Curve
Design 3 - a Clear Glass Vase using a Kubari and Armature
Written Test
Announce Topic of essay due with notebook class 4

Class 3 - Advanced Wedding Design

Elements
Form
Line Principles
Harmony
Unity Design Styles
Crescent
Cascade Techniques
Hand Tying
Detailing
Wrapping
Clustering
Banding
Binding

Design 1 - Bouquet in a foam holder
Design 2 - Hand tied bouquet, with an armature or without
Design 3 - a wired corsage, or other body flowers and boutonnières
Written Test

Class 4 - Advanced Design

Elements
Texture
Pattern
Size Principles
Tension
Contrast
Emphasis/Dominance
Depth
Opposition
Repetition Design Styles
Vegetative
Waterfall Techniques
Pave
Tufting
Veiling
Pillowing
Sheltering

Design 1 - Vegetative
Design 2 - Waterfall
Design 3 - Designers Choice
Written Test

Class 5 - Final Exams

Final Exam
Design 1-Surprise Package
Design 2-Theme Development
Designer Notebook

_________________________________________________________________

Test Retake Policy

A student may retake the written test up to 2 times within 1 year from taking the class.
A student may retake the design portion up to 2 times within 1 year from taking the class, with a $15.00 fee applied for materials, per design.
A retaken hands on design can be made up to a maximum passing grade of 40 points only.
If the student requires a 3rd testing, the class must be re-taken in its entirety and all fees are applied.
If any portion of class 5 is failed the retake option will be during the following year classes.
Written tests (classes 1-2-3-4) retake-arrangements must be made between instructor and student, with a maximum possible passing grade of 80.
Retake the test during class 5 is available after testing not on the Friday before.
__________________________________________________________________

Criteria to pass mmfd

Completion of all five classes with a pass rate of 80% including final exam.
Completion of mmfd designer notebook.
100% attendance.
Upon passing mmfd you will receive:
Accreditation Certificate
The MSF&GA - mmfd pin
A press release from MSF&GA
mmfd addendum after your name in the MSF&GA directory
Graduation and pinning to be held at a MSF&GA function and will be announced at the last class. At this time, the student with the highest grade will be announced.
_________________________________________________________________

Grading
40% written test
40% design evaluation
20% notebook
100% attendance must be maintained

_________________________________________________________________

What to bring

A fully equipped toolbox - all the design bench supplies you use daily
Something to elevate your work
Any favorite material you like to work with.
You will be supplied with basic supplies and in quantities to complete all hands on designs. Students may bring anything extra; it is welcome and encouraged, items such as accent material, beads, wire, roadsidia, branches, containers, binding agents, glue pan...

* Lunch - pot luck to share, utensils plates and napkins are provided

* Basic containers will be provided, see list of designs to be done at each class. If you would like to bring a container that is suitable and is a container you like to use, feel free to bring them.
* Buckets for your flowers
* Camera - pictures are a notebook requirement
* 3 ringed binder with 6 separators
* Required Books
* Wear warm layers of clothing

__________________________________________________________________

Fees
$95 fee per class (checks payable to MSFGA) - prices include most product
- Must be paid 7 days prior to scheduled class

-Mail class #1 fee with registration form to instructor

-Free attendance to a member of mmfd to observe any classes, a fee for hands on will be applied if the member wants to design.

-Classes are paid for one class at a time. Other arrangements must be approved by the instructor.

__________________________________________________________________

Books - Mandatory per student - Please have books by the first class.
Florists’ Review - Design School —
Available at some wholesalers or
Order direct - Florists’ Review: 1-800-367-4708 www.floristsreview.com or available at Bennett Wholesale.

Not Mandatory but helpful

AIFD - Book of Terminology —
Order direct - AIFD: 1-410-752-3318 or www.AIFD.org

Principles of Floral Design - Gregor Lersch — $60.00 plus shipping
Order direct at: www.gunters.com

AIFD-Guide to Floral Design Terms, Techniques, Traditions Order direct from AIFD
*If you purchase this book, you do not need AIFD- Book of Terminology

__________________________________________________________________

The mmfd Designer's Notebook

The Designer's notebook is meant to be your personal designers journal. Notebooks are the property of the student and will be returned at graduation.

Class Notes
Handouts
Design Evaluations
Tests
Notes, pictures, and support information from Classes 1-4
Verification of at least 6 techniques as found in nature
Essay (100 word or more) -topics to be announced

All classes will be held from 8:30 AM (sharp) — 4:30 PM with a 1/2 hour lunch break.

_________________________________________________________________

What will the 5 classes consist of?
All focus will be on advanced design. The morning session will consist of lecture followed by hands on design and evaluation then a written test. The afternoon session will be hands on design, followed by an evaluation. Each class will focus on specific elements, principles and design techniques. Use the class outline for preparation.

Self-study is required prior to each class.

The Final Exam
The final exam will consist of a written test and 2 designs, one being a surprise package, the other being theme development, the themed design will be announced at the first class.
Test results will be mailed following the class. The test will be the property of the student, as they will change yearly.

Design Materials
You will be provided with enough floral materials to complete your designs, if you would like to purchase materials above what is provided you may do so at your own expense. Students provide all material for the vegetative, designer's choice, and theme development. Basic containers are supplied but students may bring containers that are suitable for the design styles and also accent material such as decorative wire, beads, and pods.

Cancellation Policy
There is no refund for cancellation, however the fees may be applied to a future class, this also applies to weather related cancellations.

For more information contact the instructors:
Mark Pellon mmfd
chapelhillfloral@yahoo.com
207-942-7386

Deb Nisbett mmfd
dbnisbett@yahoo.com
207-532-3520

Ann Jordan AAF,AIFD,mmfd
ann@ajdesigns.us
207-650-4709

_________________________________________________________________

*** The Designers Edge
For more information and updates watch for The Designers Edge in the MSF&GA Newsletter - a column by the Members of mmfd. The instructor will select a member to write articles to submit.
Criteria to maintain mmfd addendum
Must remain an active member of Maine State Florists’ and Growers’ Association.
Must Accumulate 20 points every 3 years to maintain membership

5 points for writing a column in the Designers Edge
5 points for attending a design show, design related workshop
5 points for being on a design panel or giving a presentation such as Garden Club or Fryeburg Fair or MSF&GA show
5 points for assisting in a mmfd class
5 points for being on the executive board
5 points for serving on an active MSF&GA committee
5 points for entering in a design competition

_________________________________________________________________

2008 Graduates:

Judy Richards, Petals Plus, Corinna, ME
Margo Hanlon, Creighton & Sons, Portland, ME
Barbara Hughes, Jacque's Floral & Gifts, Hartland, ME
Jacque Patterson, Jacque's Floral & Gifts, Hartland, ME
Tim Underhill, Spring Street Greenhouses & Floral, Dexter, ME
Cullen Schneider, Fairwinds Florist, Blue Hill, ME
Jenny Thomas, Oak Hill Florist, Scarborough, ME
Heather Austin, Creative Blooms, Lincoln, ME

2007 Graduates:

Linda Murphy, Lougee & Frederick's, Bangor, ME
Kim Bridgham, Studio Flora / Sebago Gardens, Windham, ME
Monica Thebarge, Flowers Etc., Brunswick, ME
Tracy Allen, Windswept Gardens, Bangor, ME
Mary Wynne, Roseland Nursery, Acushnet, MA
Marcia Kettle, The Flower Cottage, Oxford, MA
Lori Tibbetts, The Bud Connection, Ellsworth, ME

2006 Graduates:

Eric Anthony, Sawyer & Company, Portland, ME
Linda Baehr, Berry & Berry, Gardiner, ME
Kristen Beland, Berry & Berry, Gardiner, ME
Karen Duncan, Cook Florist, Presque Isle, ME
Barbara Frye, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
Amy Murphy, Cook Florist, Presque Isle, ME
Leslie Otto, Fleur de Lis, South Portland, ME
Jason Parent, Harmon's & Barton's, Westbrook, ME
Libby Sawyer, Lady Slipper, Gray, ME

2005 Graduates:

Mark Pellon, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
Gail Royal, Westside Florist, Southwest Harbor, ME
Jan Holmes, Holmes Greenhouses, Belfast, ME
Rhonda Little, Millinocket Floral, Millinocket, ME
Lisa LaGrange, KMD Florist & Gift House, Waterville, ME
Trish Smith, Riverside Florist, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Roxanne Noddin, Roxanne Marie's Flower Design Studio, Kenduskeag, ME
Deb Nisbett, Chadwick Florist & Greenhouses, Houlton, ME

2004 Graduates:

Wendi Allen
Dick Avery, Marie's Flowers, Brewer,ME
Janet Black, Designs, Bethel, ME
Jenni Brooks Spitfire Landscape Inc, Union, ME
Martine Eastman, Gnome Gardens, Jay, ME
Susan Laferriere, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
Hilda Lewis, Lewis Flowers & Gifts, Eastport, ME
Shelley Pease, Shelley's Flowers & Gifts, Waldoboro, ME

The class of 2004 are the founding members and are the curriculum advisors. Any policy changes will be under their direction.

Honorary Members

Carmen Nelson AAF, AIFD, PFCI, MMF, mmfd
Ann Jordan AAF, AIFD, mmfd

________________________________________________________________

Copyright © Maine State Florists' and Growers' Association

_________________________________________________________________