EMC… European Masters Certificate

One designer’s journey seeking creative inspiration and purpose for artistic growth. A lesson that sometimes elevating our craft is the best way UP.

Poppy Parsons AIFD CFD CAFA, and soon to be EMC

We have all been challenged over the last two years in many different ways. Sometimes to get out of the funk, we artists have to shake things up. So, with this current blog post, our own Poppy Parsons shares some of her reasons for working toward her EMC ( European Masters Certificate).

To Learn, To Grow, To Re-Ignite my passion!

Since getting back into the floral industry in 2007 I started with a motto of Always Learning. Always Growing. Over the years travelling & attending as many shows and classes as I could, striving for accreditations and volunteering it kept me growing and blooming. I was proud to have attained my AIFD and CAFA, being a Rose Parade float decorator, designing for wholesale shows and then becoming an active member of the NW regional chapter of AIFD. I found my place even if it was 100’s of kilometers (miles) away.  I found my people! My Floral Family! I had always found a way to connect, grow and stay inspired and driven… even across what seems to be a vast distance. Then Covid hit. I found that being in a remote, rural location started to wear me down. Like many it became a chore to go to work, to deal with uninspiring orders and difficult customers. There just is no one near me to lean on in the industry, to connect with and relate to. My city is small, and they just don’t really “get it” or me for that matter. I was losing my passion and drive for learning… 

Then one day a simple yet powerful post by Christi Lopez EMC, 

“Trust Yourself -The wisdom and power are within you to succeed, Say it with me ““Within me lies the next step”” Let your positive beliefs flourish like flowers! Floristry is a journey. Nourish it, educate always, stretch yourself” 

So I did a BIG stretch and the first step to becoming EMC! A journey of growth and empowerment.  I signed up for the Foundation course in October and for 8 weeks a deep dive into growth and learning, step by step through weekly videos, assignments including 1 or 2 designs per week, and online meetings with 2 EMC teachers and fellow students to evaluate and provide growth and feedback. Now it has been quite sometime since I have been on someone else’s schedule and deadlines that I did not create. So out of my comfort zone to start but just the kick in the pants (motivation) I needed! We completed before Christmas, and I decided that I need to stay on course, and as soon as I could register for Practicum I did! This week January 17th we officially start, and I am so happy to have my passion back… passion for flowers, passion to grow as a person, passion for learning as a florist, passion for my future! I have re-committed to this journey and I will continue to grow and take care of me! Muwah! See you soon my #FloralFamily