The Apricot Flower Shop comes to life

WHAT STARTED AS A SIMPLE IDEA BETWEEN THE TEAM AT HYDIE BLOOMS HAS BLOSSOMED INTO A BOOK CELEBRATING COMMUNITY AND THE COLOURFUL CHARACTERS WHO HAVE BECOME PART OF THE FLOWER SHOP’S STORY.

The Apricot Flower Shop was created to mark Hydie Blooms’ five years in business and features real people who have become familiar faces around the shop.

Owner Lauren Kiss said the story was about much more than flowers.

“It’s a story about community and how a small little flower shop can bring so many people together from all walks of life,” she said.

“As florists, we really are a part of so many special moments and occasions, but this story really extends past that to the wider community, the regulars that stop by for life updates or who come by just for a little fix of flower magic.”

The idea first came about around three years ago when a team member returned from deliveries and suggested the team write a book about the characters who came through Hydie Blooms.

“We all instantly fell in love with the idea and it stirred around for a little while at the time as an idea we needed to make happen,” Lauren said.

The idea became a reality after Jess gifted the team a hand-sketched picture of them for Christmas, illustrated by her niece Eva Geerling.

“It was then we realised we had found the perfect person to illustrate our book and bring it all to life,” Lauren said.

“We then worked towards this happening in time to mark and celebrate our five years in business.”

Eva was brought on board as illustrator, with the Hydie Blooms team working together to choose characters, develop their stories and create mood boards and photographs to help bring each personality to life.

“It was very much a team effort between the girls here at Hydie Bloom’s and our wonderful Illustrator Eva who we hired to help bring it all to life,” she said.

“Eva was exceptional to work with and made the whole process so much fun.”

The project took about six months, with Lauren admitting she was nervous when the first coloured illustrations arrived.

“I remember the first set of coloured illustrations Eva sent through, I was so nervous to look, we are very visual people and I think we had a very strong idea of how we wanted it to look, but as soon as we had that first look it was like Eva completely understood the assignment and knew exactly what we would love to represent us,” she said.

The response has been particularly special, with many of the people featured unaware they had become characters until the book’s launch.

Lauren said seeing their reactions was one of her favourite parts of the entire journey.

“Watching people connect and meet each other on the night of our launch was such a clear representation of why we created it all,” she said.

“It was so heartwarming.”

While the book began as a bit of a wild idea initially, Lauren said they soon realised they could actually make it happen and hope there is more to come.

“Now we have done it and know the process, we hope there will be more to come,” she said.

“We have so many wonderful people we would love to bring to life as characters, so there could be many more books.”

And Lauren believes the book has something for everyone.

“It really is a story for the young and old,” she said.

“I genuinely feel like people are taking away from it whatever they need at the time, a smile, a laugh, a bit of inspiration or just a giant hug for their hearts.

“We have people buying it for the kids and grandkids, as well as just for themselves to have.

“So many people have also purchased copies to donate to their local kinder and school which is so beautiful.”

The Apricot Flower Shop is available in-store at Hydie Blooms or online at hydieblooms.com.au for $29.95.