April 18th - 2:30pm EST

Join Karla and Cara for a co - workshop on flower arranging , bundle dyeing and making paint with petals.

Karla Smith-Brown, of OLIVEE Floral, will showcase each of the flowers (and possible substitutes) that will be used in the bouquet design along with their role in the arrangement (ie. statement blooms, foundation blooms, filler blooms, and greenery). Next, Karla will show how to process flowers and get them ready to design with, then will walk through the technique of arranging a bouquet in the OLIVEE style. Once complete, Karla will show how to tie the bouquet and feature it in a variety of different styles of vases while encouraging viewers to choose their favorite vase to display their bouquet. Karla will then go through best practices for caring for your fresh flower bouquet in order to prolong its life and beauty, and will share a few of her favorite ways to give your blooms a second life.

OLIVEE Floral is an artistic floral design studio in Brooklyn, New York that was founded by Karla Smith-Brown in 2019.

​As a first generation Canadian of Jamaican descent, Karla has always felt connected to her Caribbean heritage and how it has influenced her understanding of the world. Upon returning to Jamaica as an adult in 2018, Karla immediately felt a soothing stimulation from the lush surroundings, familiar scents and distinct tastes of her family’s homeland in Saint Elizabeth Parish. She was immersed in the vibrant energy, bountiful land, and nurturing spirit of the parish inspiring her to find a way to capture the essence of her experience.  

Prior to starting OLIVEE Floral, Karla worked alongside experienced florists, event designers, and set designers to hone her craft and sharpen her skills while determining her style. As a way to honor her heritage and experience in Jamaica, Karla decided to name her studio after her Great-Grandmother Olivee. Granny Olivee’s feisty, fearless, and high-spirited demeanor is at the heart of Olivee Floral, serving as a guide to how each project is approached.