Ellermann – DIY flower crown workshops in Sheung Wan

Earlier in the year, the whole of Team Sassy swooned over the Spring/Summer runway collections that were awash with all things flora and fauna! With a mix of bright and bold floral prints and dainty garden-inspired motifs, we knew things were going to be blooming lovely once temperatures started to rise.

Now summer has most definitely hit Hong Kong – and it’s time to embrace your inner hippie because flower power is well and truly back! From Glastonbury to the accessories wall at TOPSHOP, flower crowns are proving to be the must-have hair accessory right now, so when one of our favourite floral boutiques in town, Ellermann, invited us to their new DIY Flower Crown Making Workshops, we were as excited as a single gal running to catch the bouquet at a wedding!

In case you weren’t already familiar with Ellermann, they’re definitely not your average florists! A hidden gem tucked away on Tung Street in Poho, their boutique boasts an exquisite selection of Parisian inspired homeware, fine-crafted crockery and glassware, handmade greeting cards and an assortment of books, which are all presented with as much craft and care as the flower arrangements themselves. If it is the flowers you’re after though, Ellermann is a surefire bet – offering home delivery as well as decorations and bespoke services for corporate and personal events, their blooms are bound to brighten up any day!

For their in-house workshops, Ellermann also put on a divine spread of refreshments – and we were welcomed with a selection of Sakura Cupcakes (the red velvet ones were mini morsels of heaven!), a rainbow of super-sweet Pappabubble rock candy, and chilled bottles of fruity Recorderlig Cider (hint: the Strawberry & Lime flavour is amazing!).

After much excitement over the cupcake display (we do love a good cupcake here at Sassy!), we were soon all marvelling at Ellermann’s stunning floral arrangements. Upon seeing the beautiful roses, bold blue hydrangeas and lush arrangements of purple sweet Williams, we were feeling suitably inspired to create our own flower crowns.

I’ve never considered myself a particularly crafty person (Year Seven sculpture class does not hold especially fond memories!) so the whole process of actually making a crown – cutting the right amount of wire, pruning the flowers, and somehow tastefully arranging this all together – initially seemed like one mighty challenge, but I was pleasantly surprised. Guided by Ellermann’s talented team of florists, we were soon all masters with our secateurs and flower tape!

First we had to measure the right amount of green wire around our heads, snip it at just the right spot with the wire cutters, and then twist two small loops at both ends (I promise it’s doesn’t require as much coordination and craft skills as it sounds!). Now we knew how much wire we were working with, it was time to pick our blooms!

While stripping the leaves and thorns off our pretty flowers, Ellermann’s talented team demonstrated how to stretch out and work with the flower tape, and then how to use the tape to attach our little bouquets to the wire base. With only a few minor thorn prickles, we then looped some coloured ribbon around the base of our crowns and voila, our floral masterpieces were complete! To keep our floral headpieces fresh, we were told it was best to lay them out under an air-con (or even in the fridge) and avoid direct sunlight. Mine lasted nearly a week!

It was clear during our workshop that Ellermann is far more than just a florist. Founder Diane Nittke’s dedicated team want to create that one-of-a-kind arrangement especially for you; whether it’s your wedding bouquet, a centrepiece for a dinner party, floral decorations for a large event or indeed, the DIY flower crown of your wildest dreams, you can definitely count on Ellermann’s expertise to help you create exactly what you’re looking for.

Come the end of the night and we all agreed that flower arranging is an extremely relaxing and therapeutic way to spend an evening! An Ellermann workshop event would be perfect for your next girlie get together (aren’t you a little sick of happy hour drinks?), intimate birthday gatherings or bridal party events.

We left the store happily adorned with our floral crowns (in the end, mine was a succulent smelling arrangement of pale pink roses and bright purple sweet Williams – success!), and we thoroughly enjoyed embracing flower power for the evening!

Ellermann workshops cost $550 per person including light refreshments, and all flowers and other materials. All guests also enjoy a 15% discount on any items purchased in-store on the night.

Private workshops or additional food and beverage packages are available on request. For bookings, contact [email protected].

Ellermann Flower Boutique, 39 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2291 0388

www.ellermanndesign.com

Photos by Sabrina Sikora Photography