LOCAL flower arrangers, Sandy Talbot and Sharon Cossey, showed just how passionate they are about their hobby when they took top honours at the recent 5th Annual Musgrave Centre Flower Show.
Sandy was awarded a highly commended for her sunflower picture. The pictures were sold to local companies for R2 500, to raise funds for the Sunflower Fund. She also achieved a highly commended for her floral design Small Thoughts in the Petit category and a silver star for her design in the Tropical Punch category.
Sharon won a first in class four, which required her to come up with a floral design to complement one of the quilts on display by the Quilters Guild.
Sharon, who is a retired floral art teacher and judge, said she loves to enter the Musgrave show and that this was the second year she had taken part. She also achieved a first at last year's show.
“I started at Hillcrest Floral Art Club 30 years ago and loved this hobby. I got the chance to take on teaching, and did the judges exam and was part of this for many years. I love abstract work and do ultra modern designs. I like to keep it simple,” she said.
Sharon has entered many shows over the years, including two World Shows, one in Scotland and the other in Ireland, and also achieved a first at the East Gate Show.
Sandy said she is more for traditional flower arranging, and has been immersed in this pastime since 2000.
“I was always interested in flowers and as a girl, like many others, I used to make fairy gardens with flowers. After I retired I joined a floral art group and my love for floral design came to life,” she said.
Speaking about Sandy, Sharon said: “I headed up the teachers, and only got Sandy to compete in 2008! As chair and with Sandy as secretary, we started a project in schools such as Brown School, Open Air School and Fulton School for the Deaf where we taught handicapped children flower arranging. This is something that is still done at Open Air School.”
Sandy has completed her national design diploma and the SAFU teachers demo and judges exams, which is a great achievement.
“I absolutely love it, I live for flowers and teaching! At the moment I am involved in teaching future candidates to do their national design diploma, and have 15 students. I have seen three ladies through their teacher's exams this year. It's been a busy couple of years!” she said.
Sandy has also taken part in a number of shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012, where she was awarded a bronze medal, as well as the World Flower Show in Dublin, Ireland, in 2014.
She conducts monthly workshops where people are encouraged to attend to see flower arranging demonstrations, and welcomes new visitors.
If you are interested in taking up this hobby, contact Sandy on 082 453 0507.
