I've spent the last few weekends working at
Larkspur in Chicago and have learned so much from two super ladies, owner Beth Barnett and floral designer Susannah Donne. It has been an amazing opportunity. FYI...working at a boutique flower shop means you are going to work very hard every minute of your shift. They've got me assembling floral arrangements for commercial accounts, driving around Wicker Park and nearby neighborhoods with deliveries, setting up arrangements on site for weddings and parties, and helping customers select just the right flowers and gifts for their loved ones. I've even made some hand tied bouquets for some very lucky gals - there are some sweet and thoughtful husbands and boyfriends visiting Larkspur regularly.
(Keep it up guys... that's the way to keep us happy!) Let's not forget all the bucket and vase washing, cleaning, and water changing. I'm absolutely exhausted when I get home! Beth and Susannah are two of the most talented and hardest working ladies I've ever met.
Larkspur is more than a boutique full of beautiful and unusual cut flowers. Beth selects unique succulents and plants as well as artisan made candles, soaps, greeting cards, and jewelry for her shop. She also has a fantastic eye for vintage vases and containers including milk glass, mercury glass, and Shawnee style pottery. Some of the flowers and plants sold at Larkspur are grown at Beth's farm in Michigan. It doesn't get any more hand selected than that!
I've got one more weekend left to work in the shop. What an amazing (and exhausting) experience this has been. A big thanks goes out to Beth and Susannah for showing me the ropes! I'm glad I was able to take some photos during this experience too.
Beth Barnett created Larkspur in 1994 out of a desire to create personalized floral designs for Chicago's discerning clientele. After specializing in weddings and commercial accounts for ten years, Beth expanded the business into its current location, 2123 Damen Ave., in the fall of 2004.
