By Aaron Vehling

Shirley Schaefer, a floral designer for North Branch Floral, was recognized for her talents last weekend at the Minnesota Home and Garden Show. Six contestants were given 20 minutes to come up with attractive and saleable floral designs from a supply of different flowers and components.

Schaefer designed not one, but two different arrangements. It was nerve-wracking for her.

ìI was not expecting tropical flowers,î she said, noting that she was planning on molding a design from the kind of flowers she usually uses to design arrangements at North Branch Floral, including roses and daisies.

As a reward for her efforts, Schaefer is invited to attend special floral design classes at the Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada, in May.
Schaefer, who currently attends floral design courses at Koehler and Dramm in Minneapolis, said she got into flowers as a driver for NB Floral and eventually became a designer.

ìItís nice to make something and have somebody be happy to purchase it from you,î she said. ìYou have to love the industry and what itís about.î

The trip to Ottawa is not the only reward for Schaefer. She also has the feeling of accomplishment.

ìIt was a personal goal to win this,î she said.

Schaefer has always had flowers around the house.

ìFor as long as I remember I joked with my family that my home would be in Better Homes and Gardens (magazine),î she said.

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