How to Take a Flower Arranging Class in Indianapolis

Brighten your home and learn a new design skill.

Maybe you'd like to design that perfect centerpiece for your next party. Maybe you'd like to save thousands of dollars by doing your own wedding flowers. Maybe you want to turn your home into a holiday floral wonderland. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn the art of floral design, Indianapolis has a flower-arranging class for you.

Things You'll Need

• Money for class fees
• Class tools and materials, such as wire cutters and a small knife

Instructions

1. Sign up for "Fundamentals of Flower Arranging," a class offered by the IUPUI Community Learning Network. The class consists of five two-hour sessions, held one evening per week for five weeks. Locations vary, so choose the one that works best for you. Recent locations have included Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, local florist shops and the Jewish Community Center.

2. Enroll in the next class in the series, "Intermediate Flower Arranging," which is offered in a similar format and at similar locations. This will give you the opportunity to expand on the fundamentals and learn new types of designs and techniques.

3. Take "Advanced Flower Arranging" or choose one of the program's flower-arranging electives, such as "Beginning Wedding Flowers," "Global Floral Design" or "Silk and Dried Flower Arrangements and Centerpieces."

4. Practice makes perfect. Become a "regular" at your neighborhood florist shop, where you can pick out flowers for bouquets of your own design. Read books and magazines about floral design to keep your skills fresh, and watch for additional class opportunities, such as seasonal floral workshops.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in pursuing a floral career, consider enrolling in IUPUI's Home and Garden Certificate Program. You must complete "Fundamentals of Flower Arranging" and "Intermediate Flower Arranging," plus one advanced flower-arranging class and one elective in flower arranging or interior decorating. There is an enrollment fee.

References

• IUPUI Community Learning Network
• That'll Teach Me (Indy continuing education blog)