Classes
We offer floral design classes, gardening workshops, and seasonal flower arrangement tutorials for beginners and professionals.
Introduction to Floral Design
2026 Education Program • Hot Springs, Arkansas
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a floral designer — this is where it all begins.
🌼 What You’ll Learn
- Care, handling, and professional processing of fresh flowers
- When and how to use floral foam
- Basic mechanics and structural techniques
- Bow tying
- Everyday floral designs
- Sympathy arrangements
- Wearable flowers (corsages & boutonnieres)
- Basic wedding and bridal bouquet techniques
💐 Design Progression
- Bud vases
- 6-rose arranged designs
- 12-rose arranged designs
- Hospital arrangements
- Foam-based designs
- Glass container designs
🖤 Sympathy Weekend
- Family consultations & card message guidance
- Funeral vs Celebration of Life vs home designs
- Create three sympathy-based arrangements
🌸 Flowers to Wear Weekend
- Pin-on corsages
- Wrist corsages
- Boutonnieres
- Selling and styling wearable florals
💍 Wedding Weekend
- Wedding consultations
- Who gets flowers & who pays
- Pricing basics & current trends
- Design a bridal bouquet with flair
✨ What’s Included
- All flowers & foliage
- Containers & mechanics
- Professional AFA design manual
Instruction Team:
Michelle Red AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF – Lead Instructor
Jennifer Jones AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF – Co-Instructor
Kathy Rodocker AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF – Support Instructor
Bitsy Carter AMF – Support Instructor
2026 Dates:
March 14–15 • April 18–19 • May 16–17 • June 13–14 • July 18–19
Membership Required: $100 annual AFA membership
$1,695
Register Now
Arkansas Master Florist
Professional Certification Program
Designed for florists ready to elevate their skills, creativity, and confidence.
🌸 This Program Is Perfect For Designers Who Want To:
- Elevate their design skills
- Create modern, on-trend styles
- Compete in design competitions
- Prepare for AIFD testing
- Become the best designer they can be
Eligibility: Minimum 2 years experience or graduate of Introduction to Floral Design.
Instruction Team:
Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF, CEJ – Lead Instructor
Chelle Gerhardt AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF – Co-Instructor
$1,695
Register Now
Advanced Arkansas Master Florist
Elite-Level Design Program
An elite course for experienced designers ready to push creativity and mastery.
🌿 Eligibility
Open to Arkansas Master Florist graduates and AIFD members in good standing.
✨ Course Focus
- Advanced techniques and modern styles
- Clean, refined design mastery
- Competition preparation
- AIFD testing readiness
- Designing with intention and confidence
Perfect for designers who want to do more with fewer flowers and elevate their artistic voice.
Instruction Team:
Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF, CEJ – Lead Instructor
Chelle Gerhardt AIFD, CFD, AAMF, AMF – Co-Instructor
Includes: all floral products, containers, and manuals
2026 Dates:
March 14–15 • April 18–19 • May 16–17 • June 13–14 • July 18–19
Membership Required: $100 annual AFA membership
$1,695
Register Now