Flower Arranging Expert Shares Secrets to Longevity and Style

Angie Natur, a 33-year-old Arab-Israeli floral artist, has opened a studio and workshop in Kfar Saba, Israel, focusing on teaching flower arranging. Her journey into floristry began after the October 7th Hamas attacks, which deeply affected her. Initially, she set up a folding table outside her shop to offer a symbolic space for people to arrange flowers and find solace. This experience led her to transform her flower shop into a studio offering workshops, inspired by her belief in the calming power of flowers.

Natur, who immigrated from Germany as an infant, grew up in a liberal family in Qalansawe. She pursued education and business administration before pivoting to floristry, a passion inherited from her mother. She opened her first flower shop in Tayibe and the Kfar Saba location just before the October 7th attacks. Due to operational difficulties during the war, she closed the Tayibe branch and now focuses on her Kfar Saba studio, where she also teaches terrarium making.

Her unique style emphasizes a wild, colorful, and large aesthetic, diverging from minimalist or monochromatic arrangements. Natur teaches the European spiral technique, aiming for stable and visually appealing bouquets. She has also published a self-funded book, "Opening Slowly," which personifies flowers with human characteristics, accompanied by illustrations.

Natur acknowledges facing racism since opening her business in a Jewish city, citing instances where potential clients expressed prejudice. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes her identity as an artist and entrepreneur, highlighting the positive coexistence she experiences with her neighbors and the diverse clientele in her workshops, which include religious Jewish and Muslim women. She aims to foster understanding through her art and business.

She also offers advice on floral design trends, recommending a move towards natural, textured arrangements with movement, and away from overly precise, monochromatic bouquets. Natur stresses the importance of texture, balance, and the vase as integral parts of a floral arrangement, advising clients to choose flowers based on the space's style and atmosphere rather than strictly matching colors. She also provides practical tips on selecting fresh flowers, extending their lifespan, and creating professional-looking arrangements on a budget.