This is the second of two episodes with Katie of Ponderosa & Thyme! In this episode, Katie and I pick up where we left off in Part 1 talking about teamwork and accountability in the studio. We’re discussing how to be an introvert in the floral industry while also being brave in reaching out and doing life with other flower professionals. We are also talking about creativity and how to nurture a greater sense of creativity in your life and your work. You can see Katie speak in person at the 2020 Team Flower Conference.

When you’re seeking to cultivate creativity, look for your comfort zone and create in a space (both figurative and literal) where there’s room for you to process, discover, and take your time. As you design, ask yourself these questions:

• What am I good at?

• What colors do I like?

• Where is my comfort zone?

• What do I need to practice?

• What does my heart want to create?

Katie is an international floral artist based in the heart of the Willamette Valley in Salem, Oregon. Best known for her textural floral designs inspired by nature, Katie uses the most luxurious and beautiful flowers available while incorporating locally foraged, unique and sensory plants into each arrangement for a visually breathtaking experience. Besides periodically creating florals for weddings, Katie and her team at Ponderosa & Thyme host incredible workshops worldwide for florists and other creatives to explore the art of floral design and creative process. You can follow her on Instagram @ponderosa_and_thyme.

Photos by Kim Branagan Photography.