Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Dyer.
Hi Joanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved to decorate, rather that be my room, dollhouse, or a tablescape. I spent 3 semesters as an interior design major at UT before I realized I needed something more tangible and smaller scale. While at the U of M, I fell in love with event planning, particularly wedding planning. Still, I realized I wanted something more intimate. Designing flowers combined everything I loved! I started by buying all of the discounted flowers at Kroger, playing, experimenting with colors and eventually implementing balance, composition, and style. I owe my experiences at Holliday Flowers, Premier Flowers, and my internship at Aesme in London to where I am today. The last 4 years has included over 40 weddings, 5 Valentine’s and Mother’s Days, and countless deliveries in between. This May, I opened my flower studio and shop, nestled between my 2 favorite food spots, Gibson’s Donuts, and Gus’s. I’m so thankful for the many friends, family, brides, customers, and fellow vendors who have built me up and allowed me a little corner of Memphis. I’m so thankful God has provided this opportunity and I endeavor to serve Him through it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha, no, it’s not been smooth but I recognize I have had some much gifted to me to allow everything to come together. One of the most difficult bits has been discernment – when to purchase a van, how to price competitively, who to source from, where to work. I am my own boss and it’s the greatest gift and curse. Another challenge would be patience – patience and grace for my design skill to be where I want, patience for the right studio to come along (praise Jesus it did!), patience for the right inquiries to come through and get booked. Comparison is a huge struggle for me and I know a lot of other artists. I try to trust my gut but sometimes discouragement seeps in. During those periods I try to focus on my strengths or take a break to look for new inspiration.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Flowers are my medium. I pull inspiration from my time in the United Kingdom. So much grows there because of the rain – heather, moss, snapdragons in the wild, roses aplenty, hellebores, fritillaria. I love to use foliage from my own garden. I personally love to use local flowers as much as I can in order to create more novel designs. It’s important to me to implement textures and flowers that one can’t find at the grocery store or wouldn’t expect. My designs have been described as whimsical, English garden, asymmetrical, and airy. I don’t like to stuff a lot of flowers together but rather let the flowers stand alone. One of my favorite flowers is cosmos. They’re so fluttery and they dance in the wind.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have learned a lot from my community through freelancing with other designers. Working with other people in your industry is really important and your best resource. I’m really a story person so novels like Lord of the Rings, Roald Dahl books, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Emma by Jane Austen, Khaled Housseni both bring me inspiration and keep me grounded. I learn best through walking through something with someone else.
Contact Info:
- Email: snapdragon.flowers.901@gmail.com
- Website: www.snapdragonfloraldesigns.com
- Instagram: snapdragonfloral901
Image Credits
Michelle Evans Art
Abbey Tanner Photo
