Pamela Primrose Hale, Floral Designer, Teacher & Consultant
Freelancer Training and Connection
Freelancer Training
I have created training courses for floral freelancers and a sketch class for anyone. For beginners, and more advanced designers. Longer courses will start online with videos, then move to virtual class discussions with set projects for all of us to share. In-person training in the Winter & Summer of 2023
Overview of Courses
Course Overviews
Being a Freelance Floral Designer can be a great career for many designers. If you love the ability to have the freedom to work with whom you want, go where you want to go, and learn and grow as you go, this could be the path for you. In person courses will be available Winter 2023 (in the Philadelphia Region) and Summer 2023 (TBD). Please email if you are interested in in-person group training or mentoring.
Beginner Course- This is for people just breaking into floral design and have little to no experience. It’s also great for designers who want to refresh what they know- some things we forget or have never been taught.
Course Overview:
-Before the Job- This is where we go over basic understanding of what freelancing entails and how it’s different from being an employee or business owner. How to insure yourself, how to keep track of expenses, how to create an invoice and what questions to ask when you interview and more.
-First Day Basics- In this portion of the class, you’ll learn how to be a valuable helper in a design studio or shop; basic cleaning, how to do specific tasks, how to self-start when given no direction.
-Your Tool Kit- Here you learn about the most important tools to have in your tool kit, and how to use and care for them all properly. You will be given links to purchase tools we discuss.
-Floral Processing- Here you will learn specific training with specific flowers, understanding the various cleaning and preservation chemicals florists use, how to handle flowers, flower quality inspection, and we will train for speed.
-Non-Floral Tasks- This portion will be for all the non flower related tasks that need to be done to make an event happen. Prepping hard goods, organizing/packing and labeling and more.
-Foundational Mechanics- Here you will learn how to properly prep containers (with or without foam), you’ll learn the different types of mechanics and why they are good for certain flowers and not for others, you’ll learn about the various ways to secure and store prepped vessels.
-Basic Design Skills- In this portion, you’ll learn basic design skills like- how to arrange in oasis and water.
-Small Wearable Flowers- This is where you’ll learn how to create boutonnieres and corsages (and bows) so you can be a big help for proms (flower shops especially need people with these skills). You will learn how to wire and tape the most popular flowers, how to glue and what glues to use, and how to pack for safety and longevity.
-Basic Bouquets- This class will teach you the various ways we make simple hand tied bouquets in the industry.
Advanced Course- This is designed for people who already know the basics of floral care, handling, design and more. You have design skills and have been working in the floral industry for at least a few years. This will help you transition to full time freelance or understand how to navigate freelance with your full time job.
Course Overview:
-Before the Job- This is where we go over basic understanding of what freelancing entails and how it’s different from being an employee or business owner. How to insure yourself, how to keep track of and organize expenses, how to create an invoice and what questions to ask when you interview and more. We also will discuss how your taxes will be different.
-What to Charge- Freelancers can be paid various ways, as an employee (with taxes removed from check), or as an independent contractor (no taxes removed). We can be paid per hour worked or flat/ day rate. Knowing how much to ask per hour can be tricky. Here we navigate working with the hiring designer/company to reach a fair compensation based on your experience skill and speed.
-Questions to ask- When working with a new company, there are many questions to ask so you are best prepared when you arrive to the studio or on site. Being prepared and asking the right questions will instill a sense of relief with the designer hiring you and will make you feel more at ease as well.
-How to be a team player- Here we will go over how to work well when entering a new studio with established designers. You’ll learn how to navigate designer hierarchy, how to be flexible and how to look for ways in which you can relieve pressure from the hiring designer and their staff.
-Troubleshooting and Disaster Training- It's inevitable, floral disasters happen. Here is where we teach ways on how to spot a disaster in the making, how to fix things and how to adjust and pivot when pressed for time. We can share stories in this interactive class.
-Advanced Mechanics- Here we will go over several ways to create more advanced foundations for larger arrangements and installations. We will review the different products designers use to create the fantastic pieces for their events. We learn how to secure them for design and transport (where applicable) -Finding work and building a portfolio
-Finding Work and Building a Portfolio- We will discuss resources for linking hiring designers with Freelancers, as well as how to build a portfolio without overstepping the bounds of intellectual property.
Gestural Sketching for Sales and Design Communication-This class is great for anyone doing design sales, or for anyone trying to visually communicate to other designers how something should look.
This course is done live via Zoom. We learn the basics of perspective drawing, quick gestural techniques on sketching flowers quickly and understandably, and put what we learn in action right then and there. Course comes with a small guide on everything we learn during the class, as well as a step by step "how-to" glossary of 57 flowers and greenery I love using the most. Sketching Guide needs to be mailed prior to the class,
Pricing
Virtual courses:
Beginner Course- $450 per person. Payable in installments if needed.
Advanced Course- $600 per person. Payable in installments if needed.
Gestural Sketching for Sales and Design Communication- $150 per person (includes the sketchbook sent to you- USA only included in above price, international shipping may be more). Taught once a month in group class, or additional $50 for one on one class done at a scheduled time.
One on One Classes or Mentoring-
Virtual $50 per hour
In-person $60 per hour. (available in Philadelphia PA region).
Book a minimum of 4 hours to start. Can be split over several 1/2 hour sessions.
In Person Courses;
Full courses as described to the left;
Beginner Full Course- Group Style with minimum 5 people, up to 10 people, $1,150 per person plus cost of travel and lodging for attendees.
Advanced Full Course- Group Style with minimum 5 people, up to 10 people, $1,550 per person plus cost of travel and lodging for attendees.
More info to come once dates and venue are set for in person classes. Prices may adjust slightly during planning phase. If you are interested, I can travel for a large organized group.
Consultations
Consultations for shops and studio designers are available. Rates vary. Contact if interested, I'd love to help.
My Background
Course Discounts
My Background
I started designing flowers when I was 14 years old, 30+ years later I still love flowers. I learned the basics first then started designing soon after. After earning my BFA from Carnegie Mellon, I started my own business. Working for yourself you learn all sorts of lessons. After selling my business I went Freelance, and never turned ba
I started designing flowers when I was 14 years old, 30+ years later I still love flowers. I learned the basics first then started designing soon after. After earning my BFA from Carnegie Mellon, I started my own business. Working for yourself you learn all sorts of lessons. After selling my business I went Freelance, and never turned back! It affords me the time I want to take for myself, when I want to take it, and it allows for meeting new amazing designers and helping others who are just learning.
My Passion
Course Discounts
My Background
I love sharing my knowledge of design ad flowers so much. Learning can be fun and beautiful when you learn from someone who loves what they do, I love what I do. And watching a budding designer grow in skill level, training them with knowledge that will help them with get jobs, keeping professional relationships strong and making money
I love sharing my knowledge of design ad flowers so much. Learning can be fun and beautiful when you learn from someone who loves what they do, I love what I do. And watching a budding designer grow in skill level, training them with knowledge that will help them with get jobs, keeping professional relationships strong and making money doing it, is so rewarding. Teaching classes for decades, has allowed me to connect with people, and help them bloom into their own creativity. I believe when we help and uplift others, we uplift ourselves as well. We can all learn from each other if we just have an open mind and heart.
Course Discounts
Course Discounts
Course Discounts
Full Courses will be released in November. Sign up now for early bird discounts.
$150 off either Virtual Full Course until 9-5-22.
$100 off either Virtual Full Course until 10-15-22
Group discounts are available on the Zoom sketching class if you would like to host with a few friends. Minimum 5 people, up to 10 people.
Favorite Things
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Below is a list of great products I keep in my Bag of Tricks (tool bag) at all times (and a few that I keep in my Trunk of Wonders).
Cutting Tools (snips, clips & knives)
Joyce Chen Scissors
Wider Snips (Ohana-Like)
ARS Clippers
Straight Knife
Small Wire Cutters
Large Wire Cutters/ Tin Snips
Flower Prep Items
Metal Rose Strippers (easy to use)
Plastic Rose/Flower Strippers
Pam's Favorite Work Gloves
Pam's Favorite Apron
Floral Supplies Good To Have On-Hand
Boutonnière Pins (assorted mix)
Corsage Pins
Wire and Floral Wrap (Variety Pack)
Green Bind Wire (Pull from the CENTER!)
Natural Bind Wire (Pull from the CENTER!)
1/4" Clear Oasis Tape
Trunk Of Wonders Items
Three Tier Rolling Cart
Two Tier Rolling Cart (my Favorite!)
(Holds 3 Percona buckets on top and two on bottom)
Rolling Cart with Bigger Wheels
(This holds 2 Percona Buckets)
Black Coated Chicken Wire Roll
Garden Stakes (Outdoor Design Anchors)
First Aid Kit
I have MANY more items I keep in the trunk of my car as well. I often change it up depending on where I'm working. In person and virtual classes will have a tour of the trunk!!
Favorite items that get me through the day!
Ripple Protein Shakes
(my favorite protein shake by far! And it can get hot and cold and still be ok!)
Water with Electrolytes (So important!)
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen (sweatproof!)
La Mer Facial Sunscreen (my indulgent favorite)
Neutrogena Face Sunscreen
(For when I leave my other stuff at home)
Roll up Sun Hat (more handy than you'd think!)