MFA Professional Education Classes

Steps to Certification

Instructor: Cindy S. Ching, AIFD, CF
Member $149 Non-Member $199
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lunch Included

Cindy will guide those who plan on becoming a Certified Florist. This session will cover do's and don'ts, methods and mechanics, insight and answers. This is a hands-on experience. Tips on how to prepare for both the written and design portions of the test will be given. Students will spend part of the day reviewing the written test and then work in the design room learning what is needed to pass the exam, using all the new CF written and hands-on sections! Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what it takes to pass the prestigious national CF exam. Class will run from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm with a half hour break for lunch, which is included in the registration fee. Call the MFA office at (517) 575-0110 to register.

Bring your tools.

Floral Design School: Introduction to Design

Instructor: Tim Latimer, CF
Member $900 Non-Member $1000
12 weeks of class Beginning Wednesday, June 5, 2013 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

This comprehensive course will introduce beginnng students to the exciting field of floral design. Focus will be placed on the application of the principles and elements of design, proper mechanics of construction, care and handling of fresh materials and use of color. This class will be a great first step for those desiring to become a Certified Florist. Time will be divided between lecture and hands-on design. All materials are included in your course fee and you will have a completed floral design to take home each week. Topics include: vased arrangements, symmetrical triangles, asymmetrical triangles, horizontal centerpieces, round designs, hand-tied bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres. The class will meet for 12 weeks beginning June 5. There will be 36 hours of classroom instruction. Since this is a personal enrich- ment course there will be no exams. Limited course enrollment of 12 will ensure that each student receives personal attention.

Download the registration form.

Intermediate Floral Design Certified Florist Prep

Instructor: Tim Latimer, CF
Member $900 Non-Member $1000
12 weeks of class Beginning Thursday, June 6, 2013 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

This course builds upon the foundation of the basic design course. The focus will be on the information presented in the Certified Florist (CF) Manual with the goal of preparing students to take the CF examination. (Students who do not wish to take the CF exam will still be welcome. The CF manual is the text for this course. You may purchase this manual at: www.michiganfloral.org or call 517-575-0110. This manual is recommended but not required.

All other materials will be included in the registration fee. Time will be divided between lecture and hands-on design. A sample test will be given on each topic. Lecture topics include: care and handling of flowers and plants, product identification, customer relations/sales, delivery, marketing, accounting, display, intermediate floral design. Design topics include: vased arrangements, bridal bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and sympathy. Designs will incorporate the contemporary techniques of grouping, layering, basing, framing, and many more. Each week you will take home your designs.

The class will meet for 12 weeks beginning June 6. There will be no class Thanksgiving week. There will be 36 hours of classroom instruction. Since this is a personal enrich- ment course there will be no graded exams. Limited enrollment of 12 will ensure that each student receives personal attention.

Download the registration form.

Back to Nature

Instructor: Tim Latimer, CF
Member $199 Non-Member $250
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lunch Included.

Floral design is, at its core, a way of honoring and appreciating nature. In this hands-on workshop natural botanical materials are combined to create designs that bring nature's beauty indoors. The workshop, held at the Michigan Floral Association in Haslett, Mi, will show participants how to use seasonal locally grown materials combined in non-traditional ways to create naturalistic designs with a modern flair. You will learn to utilize negative space, framing, basing, binding and more to create vegetative and landscape inspired designs. All fresh products will be provided for you.

Bring your tools.

Download the registration form.