Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Scott.
Grace, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love of flowers and events really bloomed in college. I attended San Diego State University in 2012 studying Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meetings and Events, and it was the best area I could have chosen for so many reasons! I learned all about events and the hospitality industry, but weddings were a far favorite. I love the hard hands-on work and creativity that go into every detail of a wedding. In college, I worked for a small floral and event company, where my love of flowers grew even fonder. I learned the ins and outs of working in the floral industry, and the tricks of the trade like processing, design, and event coordination.
GG Scott Designs was started in 2015 because I wanted to personally offer wedding coordination in concert with my new floral design skills. I spent the last two years managing events and the storefront for a new floral shop in San Diego, and working with that team gave me some of my favorite memories. Unfortunately, with the state of our world this year, the company downsized in March and most of us were laid off. Lots of time on my hands and unused creativity sparked the opening of my Etsy shop where I sell pressed flower art and jewelry. I have always loved working with flowers in different mediums, and think the saddest part of working with flowers is that they don’t last forever, so I wanted to find ways to keep them perfect and preserve their memory for life!
Has it been a smooth road?
Although I have been blessed with fun jobs, good schools, and a loving family, I wouldn’t describe it as an easy ride! There are many challenges that come with working in such a competitive industry. Being ever unique and creative is a demanding but rewarding challenge. As with any competitive business, it’s important to find ways to make your products stand out. I have always made it a point to keep a smile on my face no matter the situation, especially while working a wedding. You may come across angry mother of the brides or a drunk uncle that makes a rude comment on how “wedding coordinators don’t do anything” (true story!) but it is all the more reason to brush it off and keep working hard because you never know who is watching and what those connections will lead to.
And of course, there are always tedious challenges like learning the best ways to care for and process certain flowers, working with resin, glass, and various metals, and sourcing the perfect tools and materials. Getting a piece just right sometimes takes multiple attempts or techniques and can be very difficult! Every piece is different and unique, so they all provide a certain amount of challenge. My husband can attest to the trial and error seen all over our small apartment, but it’s all part of the process of creating perfect pieces.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with GG Scott Designs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
GG Scott Designs started as wedding coordination and flower services and has recently expanded to custom pressed flower art and jewelry. We are proud to encompass the whole wedding experience, offering clients full-service florals and coordination and one of a kind jewelry and art pieces to preserve the memories of their special events.
Pressed flower jewelry and art can showcase any meaningful part of someone’s life. Sometimes it’s their favorite flower, or flowers from their wedding, maybe even a flower that reminds them of a loved one; flowers have so much meaning! I love that hydrangeas remind me of my grandma and her garden, but I love even more that they can mean something unique and special to someone else.
I create one of a kind pieces for each of my customers using locally sourced fresh flowers, or even the exact flowers from your arrangement! We make custom pressed flower frames in a variety of sizes that display beautifully as free-standing pieces or wall decor. I also make custom jewelry including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets out of petite pressed flowers cast in clear resin. My favorite work is when I get to help commemorate an occasion like the birth of a firstborn or a special birthday or preserve the memory of a perfect wedding day or gathering.
Recently I pressed flowers for a bride and six of her bridesmaids from her wedding and placed them into hanging frames. Now that sweet bride will gift them to her maids and they will remember that special day forever. This past Mother’s Day a new dad had pressed some lupine in a book and then sent it to me via mail. He wanted to gift his wife a necklace from him and their new twins for her first Mother’s Day! There is “the language of flowers” and the meaning of lupine is “happiness.” It was incredibly special to offer something so meaningful to their family.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I have been in San Diego for eight years now! Growing up in a small town for the first twenty years was so different than here! My favorite part of this city is the diversity and all the things to do! There’s amazing food, hikes, ocean swims, and more. I feel like it’s been the best city for most of my twenties because there’s no way you can be bored here.
Of course, it took me at least a year to adapt to the busy San Diego lifestyle. It’s just way more fast-paced than I was ever used to but I feel like I’m finally a fast moving native of San Diego!
Pricing:
- Necklaces start at $50.00
- Earrings start at $52.00
- Frames start at $58.00
- Wedding Coordination starting at $750.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ggfloralframeco
- Email: garlandsandgowns@gmail.com
- Instagram: @garlandsandgowns
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ggscottdesigns
Image Credit:
Kathleen Dore
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