Good morning and welcome to create with Heidi. I'm Heidi Kaisand, owner of Hen and chicks studio in Conrad, Iowa, and lover of all things creative. Each week here on create with Heidi, we like to cover topics that educate and inspire you about how people are being creative, whether it's quilting, scrapbooking food wall, or just hanging out with others who seem to have their creative Mojo grooving in all the right directions. We are excited to share these things with you. Each week, I like to start with a quote. And this quote is a little bit longer, but I thought fit our guest today. Perhaps the reason that you are drawn to flowers is not only for their outer beauty, but because they remind you beautiful things will bloom after the longest seasons of waiting. And that is from Morgan Harper Nichols. And I just love that because flowers are beautiful when they're blooming. And and this is so right that when, as you're anticipating them to bloom, you know that beautiful things are coming. And so today I welcome Sharon dolphin from something to share just down the street in Conrad. So good morning, Sharon. How are you today?
Something to Share
Heidi Kaisand
Sharon Dolphin
I'm good. How are you? Heidi,
Heidi Kaisand
I am good. And flowers are always such a delight. Few weeks ago, you In fact, were obviously somebody called you and you got the opportunity to put together a bouquet of flowers to bring to me and and all when you when you get that beautiful bouquet of flowers. It is just, I don't know. I mean, it's like a spark. It's it's just amazing to see how how pretty each individual flower is, but also how when they're put together in a bouquet, how beautiful they are. And it must be fun for you to put those together.
Sharon Dolphin
It is I mean, I love what I do. And actually probably the best part is when I get to deliver the flowers myself because you actually get to see the person's reaction. And you know, some people never get flowers and they are just shocked. Yeah, it's, it's, it's just, it's wonderful. That is definitely the best part of the job is seeing people's faces and their reactions when they get flowers.
Heidi Kaisand
And, and the creativity that goes behind putting together a book Hey, I you know, I've been thinking about this. And in anticipation of talking with you about this, you know, quilters are constantly, of course, we're trying to find the right pattern, but then you're also trying to find all the right individual fabrics, because each individual fabric can make or break a quilt sometimes if you have the wrong pattern or shape. Is it would you say that that is true when you put together a bouquet of flowers?
Sharon Dolphin
Oh, yeah, definitely, you know, the design elements that go in, you know, you have a focal flower and want to coordinate the colors just like with quilting, I'm sure. And, you know, you want everything to kind of show off the other part of the arrangement, you know, so that it all flows together, it looks good together that anything and you know, you have a focal flower, you have filler flowers, you have lined flowers, you know, I'm sure it's a lot like quilting. elements that go into it.
Heidi Kaisand
Absolutely. And and do you start with a? I, I have like this vague memory of my floral arranging horticulture 101 class in college that I that I loved, but, you know, it's been, it's been a few years. So it's a little foggy? Do you start with? Do you start with like a vase and say, Okay, this is the size vase I have. So I know, my arrangement has to be, you know, sort of this big? I mean, how do you how do you? How do you even start with that?
Sharon Dolphin
Yeah, it depends on you know, the base a lot of it. And obviously, you know, the price of the flower arrangement and all of that that type of flowers are looking for. But yeah, you definitely have to have right base because you don't want huge flowers in a tiny base that are overwhelming the base and look totally out of proportion, you know, that type of thing. And usually, I guess unless a lot of times people will look online and find a picture of something they like and say I want this, and that's great, that works real well. Otherwise, I kind of feel like I just have a vision in my head, you know, I want something bright and you just kind of well as you know, probably you can kind of see the finished thing and then you just work through it.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes. And and I'm guessing it's almost like sort of like is it maybe even like a little bit like painting where you once you start to build that okay, that you you know, say Oh, it needs a little yellow over here or a little something and so you can you know, grab something else to fill in that base or add that color?
Sharon Dolphin
Yes, absolutely. You know, it's sometimes it's like, you know, okay, it looks pretty good, but it just needs a pop of color somewhere or like something to fill in or coordinate with everything you've got going already. But yeah, definitely it's, it's it's a lot like that like painting I guess
Heidi Kaisand
was it say other I didn't I, of course can see several ways that it relates to quilting as well. Do you have a favorite flower that you love to include in bouquets?
Sharon Dolphin
You know, not really just because I love so many of them. Yeah, that's a really hard question. People asked me, what's your favorite flower? I, you know, I used to, I love yellow roses. And that used to be my favorite, you know, way back when. But now I just, I love them all, you know, it's just the something alive and color and vibrant. And, you know, it's just,
Heidi Kaisand
and I get, I totally get that. I mean, and in fact, maybe after this commercial break, I will tell you a little bit more about how I'm going to say how it's hard, not hard to have any favorites, because I like it all. I like it all. So we're off to a great start talking with Sharon dolphin from something to share in Conrad, we're going to take a quick commercial break, and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back to create with Heidi, this is Heidi Kaisand, from hen and chicks studio, and I'm talking with my main street neighbor, something to share down and we will often describe your shop Sharon as the opposite corner. But because we are on the same side of the block, just on the opposite corner. And so we love having you as our neighbor in Conrad. And just before the break, I asked you what your favorite flower was, which, obviously, you said you liked them all. And you know, I get asked that a lot about fabric. Like what? What's your favorite, you know, style or whatever? Well, there's a reason that hen and chicks studio is eclectic, because I like it all too.
Sharon Dolphin
Yeah.
Heidi Kaisand
And I, I know when we're quilting, that sometimes the style of fabric that we pick, is because maybe it's for the style of quilt or the person that we're making the quilt for. It changes like I wouldn't, for a baby, I wouldn't pick something that's historical and, you know, more, you know, traditional. But for, you know, maybe for a wedding, I might pick something more white and crisper, you know, something like that. And I'm, again, I'm going to say is that the same? Maybe the kind of thing that happens in flower arranging is that the end user really determines where your which direction you're going.
Sharon Dolphin
Oh, yes, definitely. And when you were saying that I was thinking about weddings, because that's I just had a bride this last weekend. And she has a beautiful dress, and she picked out okay, which was very pretty, but it has some daisies in it. And I mean, I love daisies, but it just didn't go with the dress. You know, the dress was so formal and beautiful and elegant. And daisies are more of a fun flower. So, you know, I told her I think you'd be better to go with something that's just a little more maybe subdued show up dress, you know, have the flowers complement the dress and that compete with it. You know, so I'm sure you go with that with quilting all the time.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes. Oh, absolutely. And, and yeah, I'm sure there's a lot of similarities. Because yes, I would say daisies seem more casual. Like if Yeah. And, and yes. And if and there's so many different styles and genres of fabric that we definitely they don't all mixed together in every quilt really well. And so it's we're constantly auditioning fabric, like, yeah, you know, does that work in there? Does that not work in there? And obviously, you have that same sense when it comes to flowers. And so so in your flower arranging, I mean, I take it you you probably do everything right. I mean, obviously you probably do funerals you do weddings. And all the prom that was just that you the big prom dates. I'm sure you've you get busy with those kinds of things. And of course, Mother's Day is coming up.
Sharon Dolphin
Yeah, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day are probably the two biggest floral holidays. Yeah, like you said, we kind of do everything from baby new babies, to funerals, to weddings, to anniversaries, everything in between.
Heidi Kaisand
and, you know, as you think about Mother's Day, you know, is there I'm gonna say it I don't wanna say unique and I'm trying to get the right word are there are there some unique things that you could do with flowers or is it just a traditional bouquet? Or, you know, do you have any ideas? If somebody is thinking about Oh, what am I going to get my, you know, my mother or my wife, who is a mother, you know what, what that is? What kinds of things do you like to do for Mother's Day?
Sharon Dolphin
You've all you know, I was Mother's Day being in the spring, it seems like even, you know, outdoor hanging baskets, blooming plants. Seems like this year, especially since COVID. green house plants are very popular. They help clean your air and everybody wants more green and alive around them, I think. Yes. And succulent gardens are really big succulents this year. Yeah, just a lot of kind of the green natural blooming. And, you know, flowers, obviously, are always popular, too. But yeah, kind of that look of maybe more green and earthy, natural, if that makes sense.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes, yes, it does. You know, Sharon, we obviously jumped right into you know, what you're doing now? Have you always, always arranged flowers as this? You know, is this something I guess I'm not even I'm not even sure how many years you've been in Conrad, it's something to share?
Sharon Dolphin
Well, you know, it'll be 15 this fall, and I really can't even believe that it just seems like that time has flown by. But I guess that's what happens when you do something new. Like, that's right. But yeah, you know, I guess from the beginning, being in high school, I, I loved art, I mean, any any type of art, I actually love to sell, make clothes and that type of thing. But yeah, anything about art, any type of art I've always liked. And I think it was my art teacher that told me about well, what about the floor culture program, and I didn't even think about that. And at the time, Kirkwood had a very good Flora culture program, it was known pretty much nationwide, we had students from East Coast and all around Iowa and surrounding states. I did that. So I started, yeah, probably in the flower business in 1980. And then got away from it. And I was in the travel business for a few years. But that kind of went to online booking as everybody does now their own travel. And I thought, What am I going to do now and just kind of went back to what I know, which is the flower business. So it's it? I think it was just meant to be it worked out really well.
Heidi Kaisand
Isn't that yeah, it's obviously always been in you. Now. Do you? Do you have like fresh flowers at your house? all the time? Like are you know, are you gonna say like, the shoe cobbler that did you know, doesn't fix their own shoes? Do you? Do you flowers for yourself? Or do you? Or do you prefer like indoor plants? Or, you know, what's, what's your personal preference?
Sharon Dolphin
Yeah, well, you know, probably both because I do have lots of plants. I always tell the story. When I was in college, I didn't really have much furniture, but I had like, 100 plants in my apartment. And that's no lie over 100 I think. But at home. Yeah, I do love plants. And I do always try to have fresh flowers around. And usually, you know, it's the ones that are starting to not look so good. They're not for sale anymore. It's like, well, I can't just let them die. So you know, I take them home. But yeah, I do love to have them around. Because there's something about just having even a flower to in a vase that kind of draws your eye to that when you walk into the room. I think and or maybe it's just me, but no, I think there is something to be said about that. That there's, it does draw your eye, and it just makes you have a little smile when you see them.
Heidi Kaisand
Exactly. Well, you know, and my mom doesn't live in Colorado, I would have had you do this. But I actually for Christmas last year, worked with the florist up there and said and said, I want a fresh bouquet, delivered every month to my mom for the year. Because it's been it's been a big year for her she turned 18 in March and you know, that kind of thing. And, and I just thought after the year we've had, and I said she doesn't need any basis doesn't you know, she has lots of containers, I knew that won't be an issue. And it's been fun. Because each Bo k has been different. And I know in March it was all green. And sure, and it which was interesting. And then and then of course, she keeps changing it like as the flowers, one starts to wilt, then she puts it in a different vase or makes a different arrangement. And I know she's enjoying it and stuff. So that's Yeah, maybe that's an idea for Mother's Day is that people could talk with you about, about that regular bouquet for their for their mom,
Sharon Dolphin
you know, and that is a good idea. I do have several people that do that either, you know, monthly or sometimes quarterly or, you know, just four or five different occasions in the year, like you said, just something that they get on a kind of regular basis that you know, just just gives them the chance to have flowers around. And yes, I'm sure your mom enjoys that because they know she's as creative as you are. Yeah,
Heidi Kaisand
that is so true. Well, Sharon, we're having so much fun talking, we're gonna take a quick commercial break, and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back to create with Heidi, this is Heidi Kaisand at hen and chicks studio when I'm talking with Sharon dolphin from something to share. And I want to tell everybody, that during the month of April, we have a red bag club promotion. And the red bag club is something that our customers, if they spend $50 or more, they become a member of our red bag club, then they physically get a red bag. Once they're in the club, they're always in the club. There's no renewals or anything like that. And every month, we do something special for red bag club members. Sometimes it's a discount, sometimes it's a giveaway. And one of the things I'm trying to do this year is to support other local businesses. And in the month of April, we have gotten 320 $5 gift certificates from something to share. So if you are a red Bay club member, you definitely want to come into the store and put your name on a slip if your name doesn't automatically go in, unless you come in this door, but get your name on a slip and get in the drawing. Because obviously, it'll be well the end of the month will draw and three people will get those gift certificates. And that'll be perfect timing for Mother's Day. And we thought that would be a great way to promote and support, obviously, our local community. But also who doesn't want the opportunity to go get some fresh flowers? You know, that kind of thing. It's sharing we should talk about you aren't just flowers in your shop. You also have gifts, so why don't you tell us a little bit about some of the other offerings you have in your store? Sure, sure.
Sharon Dolphin
Yeah, we do carry a lot of like home decor items. Obviously artificial arrangements and that type of thing too. But like you said, not just flowers, I have a line of tag glassware. I have candles, purses and handbags, earrings, bracelets, sunglasses, just kind of a things that I've gotten. I feel like I've evolved over the years because people say you know I need a gift for my child's birthday party. So I have a line of toys, gift items for kids. I also try to carry some Iowa made in local things. I have Colonia chocolates that are wonderful from Kalona Iowa wine from tassel Ridge coffee from Door County which is a lot of people know Door County Wisconsin soups from frontier soaps out of Waukegan Illinois, you know, I feel like we really, and I tried to, you know, buy local or Iowa or us made whenever possible, I think that's more important than ever. My line of candles is from North Carolina, and they actually feed a child for every jar candle, you send a child into some so yeah, it's just I feel like little ways to give back to and help everybody
Heidi Kaisand
that is so right and, and you do have a really nice mixture of things that it's it's so nice that in our small community that we have a place where if you You know what, maybe you haven't planned ahead, or maybe you are planning ahead, but you do have something that pretty much you can cover all ages in your store and and both men and women. I mean, I know there's some things I've bought for Henry in there. And that is is so nice and different. Like you were talking about different gifts and things. And I have to tell the story because my mom and I do talk about this all the time. Do you remember when you had the I'm gonna call it the giant giraffe. And and the draft was probably four foot tall, I would say and goldeen Virginia, we're often you also have the dry cleaning stop in Conrad. And so we're constantly going back and forth and Conrad's so nice and safe I can send send them down the street and you know, know that they're gonna be just fine at Sharon's and anyway so who knows what particular trip but they came back and they're like, We're saving our money because we're gonna buy the giraffe and my mom was actually with them or was waiting for them when they actually bought the giraffe and they were so excited. To buy that, I don't know if you've ever heard them hauling it at that point. I think they were it was as big as they were.
Sharon Dolphin
It was I think it was.
Heidi Kaisand
Yeah. So anyway, so yes, we see that draft. It's like, Oh, that was it was awfully darn cute. So, fun, fun memory. It's always great for kids to go in