Mercedes Pilgrim - CCSF Featured Alumni



The Special Events class (RF 88) at City College of San Francisco https://www.ccsf.edu/ was delighted to have Mercedes Pilgrim present a program on Wednesday, May 10th, 2017.  Mercedes is an alumni from the Retail Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco.  She was an award winning SAIFD member who competed on the college's floral design team.  Mercedes was an outstanding student in all aspects during her time in the department.  She also completed the European Master Certification program with Tomas De Bruyne and Hitomi Gilliam AIFD http://emcprogram.com/.  Mercedes is now the Floral Department Manager at McCalls Catering & Events http://www.mccallssf.com/.  McCall's is a leading catering and event management company located in the San Francisco Bay area that provides in-house floral and event design specialists.

Mercedes spoke about her career path beginning as a CCSF student and now working in the industry for several years.  She explained  the benefits and importance of freelancing for different event companies to keep busy, learn the business and eventually working with a regular team of designers.  She discussed the current wages in San Francisco for a freelance floral designer.  Mercedes described her current job operations from consultations and pricing to the logistics of setting up and striking an event.

Designing an elevated centerpiece for a themed event is each students final semester project. Mercedes presented many different themed designs the company does in popular venues through out the Bay Area. She explained the hot trend of "Futuristic Tech Events".  Her expertise inspired the students further for their final projects and gave them more insight into this type of designing.

Mercedes explained how this centerpiece has a mushroom shape which is currently popular with brides. The flowers are designed in a lomey designer dish that is attached on top of the vase.  The mechanics are floral foam, chicken wire and waterproof bowl tape.

Mercedes gave tips on  how to transport/deliver elevated arrangements by using mache containers upside down.  Then placing arrangement inside a custom wooden delivery box.  The arrangement is initially attached with floral clay to the mache.

 

The popularity and effectiveness of Illuminated designs was discussed and how this design works well for cocktail tables. 

Floating flowers are another quick and simple way to decorate an event.  The cymbidium orchids are inserted with 12 gauge aluminum wire and reinforced with decorative wire.

This Futuristic Event prop can be used  with or without flowers.

Themed centerpiece design for a fundraiser at the San Francisco Zoo.  Mercedes explained how the arrangement coordinated with the animal print linens on the guest tables.

"Yosemite National Park" themed centerpiece design.  Christmas greens, rocks, lichen branches, hydrangea, hypericum berries, feverfew and tiny clusters of waxflower are used to achieve the environmental look of that area.

Mercedes gave tips on making handtied bouquets and rubber banding them so the flowers don't fall out on delivery or set up.  She also discussed using waterproof faux greenery to cover the mechanics in a clear vase.  The faux greenery does not create bacteria and is reusable.

 Mercedes plans to attend the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium http://aifd.org/ in July.  She was invited to test for their PFDE.  This is the on site process/step to become an AIFD member.  We applaud and congratulate her on the beginning of this great journey and all of her remarkable accomplishments.  Thanks Mercedes, for presenting and visiting us. We wish you great things with all your future endeavors.

 

Jenny Tabarracci AIFD

"ISES" A Place To Start

How and where to begin as a Florist are questions often asked to me.  I regularly give a classroom lecture to these questions, but if you want to skip the lecture, go to an ISES (International Special Events Society) event.  I recommend and encourage individuals seeking to become Florists or Special Event Professionals to attend a local chapter event.  You can attend an event without being a member.  I attend events at both the Napa - Sonoma and Northern California Chapters.  The "Designer Showcase" is an Educational Program that is always a good introduction to ISES.  This month I attended the Northern California Chapter's Designer Showcase at "Bimbos" in San Francisco.

One of the many valuable things about attending an ISES event is experiencing the ambiance of popular venues in the Northern California area.  Knowledge is power and the more venues your familiar with the better for your business.  "Bimbo's" was originally owned and started by Agostino Giontoli in 1931 on Market Street in San Francisco.  Currently, this iconic retro supper club with an art deco influence is located in the North Beach District on Columbus Avenue .  It was famous for glamorous showgirls, cabaret shows and a fine three - course  meal.  The legacy continues by Giontoli's grandsons.  Visit www.bimbos365club.com  for more information on this historic night club.

ISES encourages a collaborative exchange of ideas whether it is by a panel discussion of event designers, inspirational displays by florists, rental companies, special effects experts or sampling many delights of local caterers menus. Networking can start at these events which leads to industry relationships and an excellent opportunity to build your business.

Networking and meeting other special event professionals face to face is crucial to the success of your business.  More than ever industry professionals and clients are looking for that personal touch to build trust and relationships. The stunning table display above was showcased by Napa Valley Linens. It was nice to chat with Diana Cardenas their representative for the event. Their showroom is located in Emeryville and be sure to check out their website www.nvlinens.com to find the latest trends in fabric, design and color.  Linen websites are a great source of inspiration for designers.  It's another way to see how flowers are incorporated into tablescapes.  Also, building a relationship with linen specialists is a great way to showcase your designs on their website and vice versa.   They just might pick one of the events you collaborated on to feature in their website.

 

Every guest table at Bimbo's can be spot lighted.  This is an asset to floral designers.  Appropriate lighting is important for your flower arrangements. The lovely floral design above by Ornamento was our favorite guest table arrangement of the night.  The container was abundant of silver grey dusty miller with accenting miniature garland lights woven through the design.  This mono botanical arrangement made a simple bold statement which was very effective in the dining area.  Ornamento is one of San Francisco's premier floral and event design studios owned by the creative genius Orna.  Visit their retail store in the Fairmont Hotel or at www.ornamento.com.

 

 

Blue Heron Catering showcased the vignette above with the tabletop items by Classic Party Rentals. The floral décor is showing influence of Radiant Orchid (Pantone's 2014 color of the year). These colors work well with the eggplant linen and accenting gold chargers, china, glass and flatware.  For more information on both companies visit their websites:  www.blueheroncatering.com  and www.classicpartyrentals.com.

 

 

Innovated and exciting cake artistry is often showcased at these events.  The above cake was designed by The Whole Cake a boutique located in Oakland, CA.  Once again we see how linens can inspire and influence your designs. Visit www.thewholecake.com for more information about this companies cake artistry.

 

 

 

The brilliance of balloon artistry is showcased above.  The possibilities are endless with Bijoux Balloons. This fun and fabulous display was enjoyed at the event.  Loved the sculpted mushrooms, and the passion/energy Robin Bosma brought to the room.  She was the representative and certified balloon artist.  Visit www.bijouxballoon.com for more information.

  



 ISES is an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen those that have developed over the years. It's also a way to keep current in the industry.  If your not sure where to start, try an ISES event.  You just might click with someone who is also beginning which can lead to support and collaboration.  There are many mentors to help you along the way. These events allow you to look out side your profession for inspiration.  There is so much knowledge and artistry in all special event fields.

 

Above I'm sitting with two industry professionals that find ISES a fantastic networking outlet. Nixon Tran was a City College of San Francisco Student and now is the Operations Manager at Michael Daigian Design.  Michael Daigian owner of MDD generously shares his wealth of knowledge and graciously has assisted Nixon, myself and many more florists and special event professionals with the development of their careers/businesses.  Visit Michael's website www.michaeldaigian to experience why he is another one of San Francisco's premier floral design companies.  Hope to see you at an ISES event.  Visit www.ises.com for more information and their next event in your area.

                                              Cheers!!  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD



Hartmann Studios "2013 Client Appreciation Event"

Hartmann Studios - Client Appreciation Event

Jenny Tabarracci AIFD and Michael Daigian

Hartmann Studios held their Client Appreciation Event Wednesday night March 27th, 2013 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, CA. If you want to have a blast and see what's the latest in trendsetting for special events this is the party to attend.  The design possibilities are truly endless at Hartmann Studios.  They are located in Richmond, CA and you can visit them on their website at hartmannstudios.com.

I was fortunate to work for Mike Guelfi one of the owners of Hartmann early in my career. When I was employed by Podesta Baldocchi which was San Francisco's oldest floral company (established in 1871) he was the general manager.  This was a valuable experience in my career, I have much respect for him.  He is one of the brightest professionals I've worked with in the industry.

This year Hartmann had four areas " Pop Art Room", " Library", " Oval Salon" and the "Night Club" flowing with embellished decor, delicious catering and fabulous ambiance.  Many prestigious floral designers from the Bay Area displayed their talents along with Hartmanns extraordinary lounges, stunning environmental elements, unbelievable candelabra structures and Gatsby style settings.  Just to name a few of the decor highlights of the night.

Michael Daigian Design was invited to display their tremendous talents for the night.  Michael's creative design team is top notch and it includes Marisa Tsikounas, Jennifer Lato AIFD and Nixon Tran.  They included part of my Bouquets to Art design in the entrance to their show room. The appropriate modifications were made to my design and it was exciting to see how it coordinated  with their room decor.  They took on the challenge of working with the Pantone color of the year "Emerald" and hit it out of the park with sophistication and radiance.  Michael Daigian is a mentor and dear floral friend that I share many ideas and designs with.  It's so important to have supportive and creative individuals like this in your life.   It was great to see the design used again with different elements. 

Michael Daigian seated at his impressive table display featuring Henry Lauder's walking stick with red floral accents playing a complementary balancing act with radiant emerald green.  Stunning!

Table display by Michael Daigian Design

Table display by Nicole Ha Designs

This charming display shows the diversity with the Bay Area Floral Designers.  What a fabulous way to celebrate a special event! 

Table display by Nicole Ha Designs

 Magical detail at it's finest!  What a joy it was to explore these Alice in Wonderland motifs.

Table display by Passifflora Designs

Hartmanns theme was to "INSPIRE, IMAGINE, IGNITE".  This display captured these words and the attention of so many guests. Bravo! 

Thanks to Hartmann Studios for another spectacular night and Kudos to so many talent designers, planners, caterers and patisseries in the special events industry.

Living Walls - City View at Metreon

 I was fortunate to attend The International Special Events Society’s Biennial Vendor Showcase and Educational Program that was hosted by City View in January.  I was attracted by the venue’s contemporary aesthetics and urban-chic decor.  Immediately my eye found three living walls made out of succulents which are located on the outdoor terrace.  The contrast of framed living organics against the spectacular cityscape of San Francisco is an exciting concept for floral design. 

City View at Metreon is located at:

Fourth & Mission Streets
San Francisco, CA  94103
Fourth Floor

Strawberry Fields Forever

Program Announcement -
American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium, 2011 

Video by Robert Kitayama. 

Cocktail Decor

Strawberry Spheres For Composite Design

Mossed Tower Vases For Composite Design and Men’s Bathroom Decor

Composite Design

Guest Table Accents

Elevated Centerpiece

 

Stage Decor

Stage Decor

  

Stage Decor