By Kate Bartlett
Pea Pod and Juniper will be hosting a Floral Design Night in collaboration with 8 Limbs Yoga in Lakewood next Thursday, September 24th from 6-8pm. Cost is $60 per person and includes light refreshments from Mabel Road and each guest will take home a beautiful floral creation.
Owner of Pea Pod and Juniper, Kim Carlson has been hosting floral classes for several years at her location at 141 Chautauqua Ave, but has been limited by the size of her shop. Danielle (Dani) Devine, owner of Eight Limbs Yoga studio, graciously offered to host Kim’s floral class in her studio (in the same building as Pea Pod and Juniper) to accommodate a larger class size. “We’ve enjoyed being business neighbors for years,” explained Kim. “It’s the perfect opportunity to invite community members into this beautiful space for an enjoyable evening.”
Eight Limbs Yoga Studio offers 1000 square feet of open space for Kim to host her class. “The space is underutilized in some capacity,” explains Dani. “If I’m not hosting a class, it’s the perfect space for the community to gather.” Eight Limbs offers weekly classes, workshops and other yoga training programs throughout the year, as well as a massage therapy office. “We focus on mind and body wellness, so a class like this is perfect for our space.”
During the Floral Design Class, Kim will guide guests through selecting and cutting various focal flowers and educate on what makes an arrangement complete. “Everyone is going to go home with something that is different than anyone else’s, and they’re all going to be beautiful,” explains Kim. “Floral Design is a great creative outlet. We’ll provide the flowers and some guidance, but everyone will create something to their liking.”
Kim aims to make her classes welcoming. “Everyone is welcome to attend, with a friend or alone,” explains Kim. “We’re all going to have an enjoyable evening together.”
Kim’s background in floral design started when she was in Junior High School. “I was taking classes at the old Nelson and Butts, a former florist in the area,” explains Kim. “It was just something I really enjoyed and it came easy to me.” After High School, Kim took classes in flower shop management and learned the business end of a flower shop. She worked in a local grocery store in the floral department and was then hired at Girton’s Flowers in Jamestown where she worked for 14 years. “I had excellent training there,” explains Kim. “I learned all facets of design work, and furthered my experience in customer service.”
For a short while, Kim took a step away from floral work and pursued other jobs that might bring in more money, but something was missing. “The longing to work with flowers never went away,” explains Kim. “Deep down I knew I’d always go back to it.”
When Kim’s son passed away in 2016, she began to reevaluate her life choices. “I just needed to be creative and around like-minded people,” explains Kim. “I felt called to build a community around flowers, and help others through my healing process.”
Pea Pod and Juniper blends floral artistry with a curated selection of gifts, plants, and seasonal items. Kim custom designs flower arrangements for weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. She focuses on personalized, inspired arrangements that incorporate the recipient’s favorite colors and flowers.
Kim hand selects every flower and gift for the shop, choosing items that inspire and bring joy. “I’m proud that it’s become a destination gift shop, right in the heart of Lakewood,” explains Kim. “I’m right by the clocktower. It’s the most fulfilling job; it doesn’t even feel like work. I’m fortunate to have found my way here and built a life that I love.”
Kim is proud to be a part of the Lakewood community as a female business owner. “I’m truly blessed to be a part of this community,” explains Kim. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Everyone is supportive and we lift each other up. We’re forward thinking and looking to strengthen each other in order to strengthen the entire community of Lakewood.”
For more information, visit orderppjflowers.com, eightlimbslakewood.com and follow Pea Pod & Juniper and Eight Limbs Yoga on Social Media. Purchase tickets online or call the shop at (716) 526-1081. Class will take place on September 24th from 6-8pm at 141 Chautauqua Avenue by the clock tower. Watch for upcoming classes throughout the season to be announced soon.