studio rien: ✨Flower Party✨ returns! also: bread, wine, sculpture

a flower workshop for all

Hello friends,

This morning at the market confirmed what we’ve all been hoping: Spring is here. In the first place it was light out—not a small thing when your workday starts while most are still in bed—and at long last, my favorite farm returned! All around were swaying butterfly ranunculus, tiny daffodils from just across the river, and my absolute favorite — local poppies with small faces and long necks.

I have a memory of sitting in English class a million years ago back in California, and recounting the sensation when relentless winter suddenly breaks into hope. A chill in the air, sure, but with the scent of things to come. (My teacher paused, and dryly remarked “you’re not from here.”)

And so — on this grey day but with hope in the air — I can’t wait to see you soon, and hope you’re feeling the warmth.

✨Flower Party✨ is back! And soon!

Between events and family life, weekends have been packed, but at long last we found a spare Saturday and it is time to bring back everyone’s favorite workshop on Saturday, April 6th!

I’ll share my approach to sourcing, building, and designing beautiful airy arrangements and then let you free to pull from a massive flower library of spring’s best blooms. There will be snacks (so many snacks! fava mint dip? basque cheesecake? always mortadella), there will be drinks (coffee for the responsible, booze for the irresponsible, both for the irrepressible!). You’ll take home your own vase arrangement, new skills, and new friends.

But: I am keeping this one intimate! Tickets are very limited (especially kid tickets!). Do me a favor and grab yours today (the date is coming up fast, and the sooner I know we have enough of a crew to make it happen, the calmer I will be and my family will thank you for the zen vibes.)

Tickets here!

around the studio

“whatever the work is evoking in people, I don’t dictate that”: The passing of Richard Serra brought me to this 2002 profile capturing the artist’s intensity and irascibility (and includes a choice bit about a dozen roses). // for the bk crew: ACQ bread is a tiny Carroll Gardens operation and their living bread is… so alive. Incredibly seedy and dense, you feel stronger just eating it. And my child would like you to know that each week there’s also a seasonal sweet loaf too. Strawberry nearly broke him last spring, but my favorite was the recent cinnnamony apple caramel. // on the nose: In more ways than one… our new favorite skin contact is fittingly called Narcissus and it smells delicious, too (also props for the very pretty spring bottle). // an annual reminder: As my beloved local poppies return, a reminder to gently place the end of the stem in fire or boiling water for a few seconds before arranging to keep them blooming and fresh. // PSA: Forgive the ancient link to my own (gulp, old) blog but a reminder that winter citrus is in its last kick and you should be making Gjelina’s vanilla-flecked panna cotta draped in every variety of grapefruit with some candied meyer lemons to boot.

xo with smiling daffy-dils, freyan

ps did someone forward you this little note?