Amy Bell

Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?

The two-week career change course in November 2023

What did you most enjoy about the course?

It was very special to just be immersed in talking about and creating with flowers for two whole weeks with no interruption and with fellow florally minded women. It was very inspiring and a special time. I hadn’t ever been away from my children for that long so I sort of rediscovered being in my own company again which was lovely!

Where are you now on your floristry journey?

Well….I run floral workshops from my Flower Studio in Sussex. I enjoy working with fresh and dried flowers and also drying lots of things from the garden to use in installations for shop windows etc. I am about to take part in Strawberry Hill Flower festival, this September.

What’s the best part of having your own floristry business?

Being more autonomous with my time and working around and with the seasons feels like a much more natural way to live my life.

What’s the best piece of advice Rachel gave you?

Stick to my core values and success will come! Using flown flowers for a client didn’t feel right for me and my business so I turned down the job although it would have been great experience. I know to keep coming back to my values and how things resonate as to whether it is right for my floral business or not.

What has been your floristry highlight to date?

Creating a two dried flower clouds for a local shop and then driving into town and seeing in hanging in the window one evening! So special to see something I had created there in the window. I’m hoping Strawberry Hill will be another highlight!

Is there an opportunity that springs to mind that Tallulah Rose gave you the confidence to pursue?

Definitely taking part in Strawberry Hill Flower festival. It has always been a dream of mine and I would never have put myself forward to take part before I went on the course.

What makes your business unique?

The garden here at Hamsey House, Sussex is an intrinsic part of my business. It is my muse and inspiration! It is very tranquil, so I enjoy sharing that with people when I run workshops here and lots of the flowers I use are grown here. I like to use English country garden flowers and stems that might not always be considered for floristry to make people think a bit differently about what they have growing in their own garden.

What is your favourite British Flower that you grow and why?

Possibly the hardest of all the questions as it really depends on the season I’m in! As I’m writing this in July, so let’s go with dahlias as they are flowering profusely right now and I love working with their jolly little faces.

Click here for more information on Hamsey Belle

Profile photo credit: Cath Benson