Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Anderson.
Hi Melanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was 16 years old as a student at Southeast Bulloch high school with my work studies program. I worked at Tim and Brannen, and Minnick in the garden center and then the other half the season. I work at Fraser‘s Flowers where clean buckets, swept floors straightened the cooler and then for my senior year, I got to do my work studies program in the year paper on floral design. So, it kind of started like that where I was making stuff just for fun, but when my grandmother my mother when my mother’s mother passed away in 2015. I had the honor of making all of her funeral pieces. That’s where the being of my sympathy pieces started. Ever since then it has just gotten bigger and more in touch with the gifts God has given me. It’s definitely a God-given talent! I can’t explain it; the flowers and extra things just get placed where they are supposed to go. Over the years, it has just gotten better and better! I look back and think man I am not where I started! I love making unique, different, non-traditional, out-of-the-box designs. When it comes to sympathy pieces, I Donny best to honor that person by using things the family gives me to incorporate in the arrangements, such as agriculture materials, fishing equipment, and all other sort of things. It really is an amazing way to honor the loved one. It is amber amazing privilege. I wouldn’t be here without the amazing love and support of my husband and amazing customers
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggle has been within. Always not thinking you’re good enough that it looks the same as everyone’s else! Trying to be who God wants me to be, how He set me apart from all other florist! Learning that God gave me a tool and that it is different from everyone else
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am best known for my sympathy work! I love Honoring and memorizing the person who has passed! The family tells me about the loved one, shares pictures, give me things to use that represent that loved one! I feel That this is my gift that God has given to help give a little closer and since of honor to the loved one! A representation of them!!! What sets me apart from others is that they unique, different, full of the most stunning flowers! They are not traditional; I use agricultural products like cotton, peanuts, okra, tomatoes, and so many other things. I am Proud of most how far I have came! How far God has brought me and how much I have grown as a person and a florist. Each piece holds a special place in my heart because each piece are so unique and different.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Being outside with my daddy and working outside. He taught be how to be self-sufficient, work hard, and not give up. He taught me things don’t come easy; if you want it you have to constantly work at it and not give up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @funkyflowerlady
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.f.anderson.9
