Sculpting with Blooms: My Experience at Sue McLeary's Workshop in Portland
If you don't know Sue McLeary (aka Passionflower Sue), she's basically a legend in the floral world. Her approach to floral design is sculptural, innovative, and honestly? Mind-blowing. But beyond the technical wizardry, what really sets Sue apart is her deep commitment to sustainable floristry and her philosophy that flowers should be honored as living art, not just decorative elements to be forced into submission.
Let me tell you all about this incredible workshop hosted by Mayesh Wholesale, and why I'm still thrilled about the techniques I learned weeks later.
Sue McLeary demonstrating her signature cascading bouquet technique — architecture meets organic beauty. Photo by Megan Thompson
Always Learning, Always Growing
Here's the thing about being a florist: you never stop learning. Just when you think you've mastered a technique or developed your signature style, someone comes along and completely shifts your perspective. That's what happened when I attended Sue McLeary's workshop in Portland.
As a European-trained florist, I already had strong foundations in natural, organic design. But I'm always hungry for new approaches, new techniques, and fresh ways of thinking about flowers. The floral industry is constantly evolving, and staying curious is what keeps our work exciting and relevant. Sue's workshop was exactly the kind of creative challenge I was craving.
Who is Sue McLeary?
Sue signing her book "The Art of Wearable Flowers" — required reading for any floral artist. Photo by Megan Thompson
Before we dive into the workshop itself, let's talk about Sue. She's not just a talented florist - she's a true floral artist, author, and educator who has fundamentally changed how many of us think about working with flowers. Sue has authored two influential books with Chronicle Books: "The Art of Wearable Flowers" and "Flowers for All." Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Florist's Review, and countless other publications.
But what makes Sue truly special isn't just her technical skill - it's her philosophy. Sue approaches flowers with deep respect for their natural forms and inherent beauty. She's been at the forefront of the sustainable floristry movement, advocating for techniques that minimize waste and eliminate harmful materials like floral foam. Her motto? Let flowers be themselves while creating wearable art that's both beautiful and environmentally conscious.
Cascade bouquet by Sue
Corsages by Sue
Wearable Flowers by Sue
What is "Sculpting with Blooms"?
This isn't your typical floral workshop where you learn to arrange flowers in a vase or make a hand-tied bouquet (though we love that too!). Sue's workshop introduces a completely revolutionary approach to creating bouquets and wearable florals using wire-based armatures. And here's the game-changer: no taping, no floral foam, and often no glue needed!
I know what you're thinking - "How is that even possible?" That's exactly what I thought before attending! Sue has developed innovative armature techniques that allow you to create sculptural, airy, and shape-shifting floral pieces that are sturdy, reliable, and absolutely stunning. Of course, these pieces should be treated more as works of art rather than traditional bouquets, and their lifespan is shorter because most of the time they won't be able to absorb water in a traditional way. But that's part of the beauty - you're creating an ephemeral art piece that celebrates the flowers' natural lifecycle.
The Philosophy: Sustainable & Sculptural
What I love most about Sue's approach is how it aligns with the growing movement toward sustainable floristry. Let's talk about why this matters, because it's becoming increasingly important in our industry.
Traditional floral techniques often rely heavily on materials that aren't great for the environment. Floral foam (also known as Oasis) is petroleum-based, non-biodegradable, and breaks down into microplastics that never truly disappear once they enter waterways. Many florists are moving away from foam, but it's been the industry standard for decades, so finding alternatives isn't always straightforward. Then there's floral tape, which is often petroleum-based and creates unnecessary waste, especially when you're taping hundreds of stems for a large wedding. Add in the wire waste from traditional wiring techniques and hot glue from corsages, and you're looking at a lot of environmental impact for something that's meant to celebrate natural beauty.
Sue's wire armature technique offers a much more sustainable solution. The wire frames can often be gently disassembled and reused for future projects. You're using significantly less material overall, completely eliminating floral foam in wearable pieces and many bouquets. When you're done with the piece, the flowers can be easily removed and composted without contamination from tape or glue. Most importantly, the technique allows flowers to maintain their natural form and movement rather than being forced into unnatural positions.
This approach isn't just environmentally responsible - it's also artistically liberating. When you're not constrained by traditional methods, you can create pieces that are more organic, more sculptural, and honestly more beautiful. As someone who's always seeking to honor each flower's natural character, this resonated deeply with me.
What We Learned: Breaking Down the Techniques
The workshop covered so much ground, and I'm still processing everything we learned. Sue calls one of her signature techniques the "corsage renaissance" and she's absolutely right! We learned her wire frame approach to creating corsages that are so much more than the traditional wrist corsage your mom wore to prom. These versatile little frames can be transformed into rings (yes, floral rings!), headpieces, full lapels, boutonnières, shoulder corsages, anklets, and even cake flowers.
The freedom and creativity this technique offers is incredible. You're not constrained by traditional methods - you can truly sculpt with flowers. And because the armature is so sturdy, these pieces can handle movement, dancing, and a full day of wear without falling apart. Sue emphasized that these wearable pieces are about celebrating the wearer and the flowers simultaneously. It's not about creating something that overwhelms the person wearing it - it's about enhancing their natural beauty with living art.
But my favorite part? Learning to create shape-shifting cascade bouquets that can actually double as headpieces. How cool is that?! These "work of art" bouquets are modern and sculptural, incredibly sturdy (no worrying about things falling apart mid-ceremony!), quick to create once you know the technique, and completely transformable - your ceremony bouquet becomes your reception headpiece!
The threading technique Sue teaches (instead of traditional wiring and taping) is a total game-changer for efficiency and artistry. You're essentially creating a flexible skeleton that holds flowers in place while allowing them to move naturally. It's architecture meets organic beauty - exactly the kind of fusion I love exploring in my work.
Sue also introduced us to the concept of creating "floating" floral constellation pieces - arrangements that feel weightless and modern. The armatures allow flowers to appear suspended in space, creating dimension and movement that traditional methods can't achieve. These constellation pieces are perfect for installations, photo backdrops, or even as ceremony décor. They have an ethereal, almost magical quality that photographs beautifully and creates visual interest from every angle.
The European Connection
Selecting locally sourced blooms for our sculptural creations. Photo by Megan Thompson
What struck me most was how Sue's approach aligns with European floral design principles, even though she's developed these techniques independently. In European floristry, we're taught to honor each flower's natural character, create movement and texture rather than rigid structures, use negative space intentionally, and let materials speak for themselves. Sue's armature techniques accomplish all of this while also solving practical problems like structure and durability. It's the perfect marriage of artistic philosophy and innovative technique.
This is what I mean about always learning - even when you have strong foundations in one tradition, there's always room to discover complementary approaches that enhance your work. Sue's techniques don't replace what I learned in my European training; they expand it, giving me more tools to express the same core philosophy of honoring flowers.
The Workshop Experience
The Portland workshop had such incredible energy. We were a group of florists at all different levels - from seasoned professionals to newer designers - and everyone was so supportive and excited to learn. Sue is not only incredibly talented but also a passionate, generous teacher. She made complex techniques feel accessible and encouraged us to push boundaries.
What I appreciated most was Sue's teaching style. She didn't just demonstrate - she explained the WHY behind each technique. Understanding the principles means you can adapt and innovate on your own rather than just copying what she does. That's the difference between learning a trick and developing a skill. As someone who's constantly experimenting and evolving my own work, this approach to teaching really resonated with me.
There was also this beautiful sense of community. Florists can sometimes be competitive (we're all trying to book the same weddings, after all!), but this workshop felt collaborative. We were all there to grow, learn, and celebrate flowers together. That spirit of shared learning is something I try to bring back to our studio at Kvetka Flower.
Why This Matters for Modern Floristry
Sustainable wrist corsage created using Sue's wire armature technique — see our wrist corsage options for your wedding. Photo by Megan Thompson
The floral industry is at a turning point. Consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues, and many couples specifically ask for eco-friendly weddings. Sue's techniques give us practical tools to deliver sustainable design without sacrificing beauty or artistry. In fact, I'd argue that Sue's methods often result in more beautiful work because you're not fighting against the flowers' natural tendencies. You're working with them, enhancing what's already there.
Beyond the environmental benefits, there's a real business case for adopting these techniques. Offering foam-free, sustainable floral design sets you apart in a crowded market. Using less material means lower costs, though the artistry absolutely commands premium pricing! More couples are actively seeking sustainable options and are willing to pay for them. These techniques are also just fun and artistically fulfilling, which helps prevent burnout - something every creative professional needs to think about.
Today's clients, especially younger couples, want something different from their parents' or grandparents' weddings. They're drawn to organic and natural aesthetics, unique one-of-a-kind pieces, sustainable practices, artistic and sculptural design, and personal expression over traditional rules. Sue's techniques deliver all of this. Her work feels fresh, relevant, and artistically ambitious in the best way.
How I'm Using These Techniques at Kvetka Flower
Since the workshop, I've been incorporating Sue's techniques into our work in really exciting ways. The shape-shifting cascade technique is perfect for brides who want something modern and artistic but still romantic. And knowing the bouquet is structurally sound gives me so much confidence. I can create these flowing, organic pieces without worrying they'll fall apart during the ceremony.
We've also started offering the "bouquet-to-headpiece" transformation for brides who love the idea of rewearing their flowers during the reception. It's sustainable (you're getting double use!), unique, and creates a fun moment during the reception when the bride transforms her look. Our brides and their wedding parties are loving the more creative wearable options too - not just traditional corsages, but statement pieces that feel more like jewelry. Shoulder corsages for bridesmaids, floral rings for flower girls, lapel pieces for the groom that are actually cool and modern - finally!
The armature techniques have also opened up new possibilities for creating foam-free installations that are both sustainable and visually stunning. We've used Sue's constellation concepts for ceremony backdrops and photo booth areas with beautiful results. Even for everyday arrangements, understanding how to create structure with wire armatures gives us more creative freedom.
What's exciting is how Sue's techniques complement our European training. We're creating pieces that have European sensibility - organic, textured, honoring each bloom - but with American innovation and practicality. It's the best of both worlds, and exactly the kind of fusion that happens when you stay open to continuous learning.
The same sustainable approach powers our flower crowns and bridal bouquets — sculptural, foam-free, beautiful. Photo by Megan Thompson
The Journey of Learning Never Stops
Here's what I want other florists to understand: attending workshops like this isn't just about learning new techniques. It's about staying inspired, connected to your creative passion, and relevant in an evolving industry. It's easy to get stuck in what you know, doing the same arrangements the same way because they work and clients book them. But growth happens when you push yourself outside that comfort zone.
Attending Sue McLeary's "Sculpting with Blooms" workshop in Portland was one of the best professional development decisions I've made. Sue's innovative approach to floral design aligns beautifully with our European-influenced aesthetic at Kvetka Flower - both philosophies emphasize letting flowers be themselves while creating something truly artistic.
But more than that, this workshop reminded me why I became a florist in the first place. It's easy to get caught up in the business side - the invoices, the logistics, the stress of wedding days. Sue's workshop brought me back to the pure joy of creating with flowers, experimenting with new ideas, and pushing artistic boundaries. The sustainable aspect also reignited my passion for responsible design. As florists, we have a responsibility to minimize our environmental impact. Sue proves that sustainable doesn't mean sacrificing beauty - in fact, it often enhances it.
If you're a florist in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere across the U.S., I highly recommend checking out Mayesh's workshop schedule. Sue travels to different Mayesh locations throughout the year, typically April through November, so there's likely a workshop coming to a city near you. Whether you're a wedding florist looking to offer unique modern bouquets and wearables, an event designer wanting to create sculptural installations, someone who just loves pushing creative boundaries, or a florist looking to differentiate your business with sustainable practices, this workshop will change how you approach floral design.
To grow as an artist, you have to constantly push boundaries and welcome new ideas. This workshop does exactly that - it opens your eyes to new possibilities and gives you practical tools to bring those possibilities to life. The investment in yourself and your craft is always worth it.
Have you attended a Sue McLeary workshop? Or are you thinking about it? I'd love to hear about your experience or answer any questions! Drop a comment below or reach out to us at Kvetka Flower. And if you're a bride or event planner in Portland interested in incorporating these sustainable, sculptural techniques into your event, let's talk! We'd love to create something beautiful and environmentally conscious for you.
Hands-on practice with wire armatures — the collaborative energy was incredible. Photo by Megan Thompson
Resources & Further Learning
About Sue McLeary:
- Website: Passionflower Sue
- Instagram: @passionflowersue
- Books: "The Art of Wearable Flowers" and "Flowers for All" (Chronicle Books)
About Sustainable Floristry: If this workshop has inspired you to learn more about sustainable floral practices, explore topics like foam-free design techniques, locally grown flowers and their benefits, seasonal flower availability, composting floral waste, reusable mechanics and structures, and ethical sourcing practices.
Mayesh Workshops: Visit Mayesh Wholesale's education page to see upcoming workshops across the United States. They offer various classes beyond Sue's workshop, all designed to elevate your floral artistry.
Photography by Megan Thompson (@avecmeg)
One of the best parts of this workshop? Having professional photography to document our creations! Megan's stunning photography captured the beauty, detail, and artistry of each piece we created. Having quality documentation of your work is so important as a florist, and it was such a pleasure to have her talent make each arrangement look even more beautiful!
