skinner jones floral design

This week I am featuring Abby Anderson from Skinner Jones, a floral design studio based in
Minneapolis. I got to know Abby when we worked together at a job neither of
us were very passionate about. So it's fun to see that we are now both able to
develop our own businesses doing something we both love! I got a chance to ask her
how Skinner Jones was formed and what inspires her awesome arrangements...

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So tell me about how you got into floral design and how Skinner Jones was started...
I worked at a flower shop (Pazzobello) when I was in college. I loved it. I started receiving requests
from family and friends for arrangements and I did enough of them that my sister and I decided
that "someday" we would have a design studio- floral design being the emphasis. Skinner
is my sister's middle name- Jones is mine. Everyone asks where Skinner Jones comes from.
Anyway, it has evolved quite a bit. As I have had other jobs in the event planning industry, I have
met lots of great contacts and have been able to get a lot of weddings and events through word
of mouth. I have dabbled in event planning, but I think my skills are best used in the floral
and design aspect.

What are some things that inspire the arrangements that you put together?
I am inspired by the latest fashion and color trends, art, my surroundings, my clients, great designers...

What are some of the floral trends that brides are interested in right now?
Purple and green seem to be the hottest in wedding flower colors. My clients of late are more
interested in the "unusual" centerpiece as opposed to the more typical low vase
and high vase filled with flowers. Brides are looking for more cost effective ideas, but they
also want big impact, so I have been suggesting and creating a lot of centerpieces without or
with very minimal flowers.

Where do you see Skinner Jones going in the future or what other avenues would you like
to explore with your business?
Skinner Jones improves every year! This is the biggest year yet! That is very exciting. I
see my business starting to be more "tabletop" design and even venturing into helping more with
the look of the event. It seems inevitable. When I sit down with brides or clients, I often end
up helping with other pieces of the look and theme of their event. I love that. I am also very
interested in all of the centerpieces that don't incorporate floral. We'll see. I am just enjoying
how Skinner Jones has started to change and evolve!

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Well thanks Abby, for giving us a glimpse into Skinner Jones! I just love the work you do
and the beauty you create! Abby is in the middle of updating her website so check
back often to see her progress or to get in touch with her!

Photos courtesy of Matt Blum and Photogen Inc.