I'm Joye Whitney, the Creative Director of the Floral CoLab. Together with floral designers, Dennis DelSignore, Semia Dunne, Kim Lamothe, and Laura Seita as instructors, we collaboratively share our knowledge and passion for flowers and the natural world, teaching classes at entrepreneurial businesses and non-profit organizations throughout Rhode Island. Check out what we're up to and the cool locations where you can join us in December:

December 1st at Hope & Main, Warren, RI
Host a Fabulous Cocktail Party
Everything you need including easy hors d'oeuvres, crafted cocktails, and fresh flower arrangements!

The key to any great cocktail party is for the host to have as much fun as the guests!  Join the Floral CoLab at Hope & Main* (RI's only food incubator) for an evening of demonstrations, tastings, and hands-on floral design that celebrate the holiday season. Sample hand crafted cocktails from Bootblack Brand, enjoy small bites from Chef Maggie at Feast & Fettle, and create your own floral arrangement, guided by designer, Dennis DelSignore. You'll leave with recipes and ideas that you can easily replicate to create your own fabulous tablescape, bar set-up, menu and stress-free holiday entertaining!

*Hope & Main is located at 691 Main St., Warren, RI. 

December 18th at Curious Nature Apothecary, East Providence, RI           Beauty & Bulbs
Find Your Holiday Calm & Give the Gift of Botanicals

Settle in for an afternoon of relaxation and botanical gift giving inspiration. Learn about locally made organic bath and beauty care products and see first hand where they're created. Join Laura Seita from Fig & Squill Floral Design in making a dish arrangement that includes bulbs and natural accents, ideal to give as a hostess or holiday gift. Learn about bulbs and plants that bring fragrance, beauty, and life into the new year and beyond. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in a tranquil space, sip on aromatic tea, warm mulled wine or a refreshing herbal cocktail (or mocktail), and think creatively about gift giving for the loved ones in your life.

*Curious Nature Apothecary is located at 11a Dexter Road, East Providence, RI.

Tis the giving season and the Floral CoLab is donating it's final class of the year to St. Mary's Home for Children in N. Providence on December 19th.  Since 1877, St. Mary's has been helping children affected by violence in their homes or communities or having behavioral health issues. The Floral Colab team will be creating winter terrariums with the 35 children who live there for them to keep as their own or give as a holiday gift. They're also collecting donations of art supplies, and gift cards, to be used in the new year. If you're interested in contributing, please email floralcolab@gmail.com!

Stay tuned for more great happenings in 2017 and check out floralcolab.com to join our mailing list.

Photo Credits: Photos provided by Joye Whitney.