Art has always been a strong suit of Lake Orion’s downtown thanks to institutions like the Orion Art Center, Accent on Art, the photography studios and more.
That aspect is about to become a little stronger.
Beth Hency, owner of Amazing Petals Florists at 125 South Broadway has sat on additional space at the location in the two years since she arrived in town. Now, with the help of former Element’s owner Bonnie Blais, she plans to turn the space into a shop filled with the works of local artists.
I’ve had this space back here since I moved in and I always wondered what to do with it,? said Hency. ‘I’m a different kind of florist to begin with and I didn’t want to be the typical florist shop. I love art so I thought ‘why not showcase the Michigan Talent?? This is true art – not just arts and crafts.?
Many of the artists featured in the area, which will open in a grand re-opening on June 1, own Etsy websites and have won awards. Around 20 artists total are featured in at the store and were recruited from art shows in Ferndale, Ann Arbor and other locales.
With the grand plan in place, Hency realized she would need help and that’s when she decided to contact Blais.
‘I was funny how that came about, because I was in a fluster to find someone,? said Hency. ‘I was talking to Diana Ostrand (Accent on Art Owner) and it dawned on me to ask what (Blais) was doing. The rest is history.
‘Her expertise is what I was after. She’s not just a clerk by any means – she has marketing experience and that’s what I need.?
For her part, Blais is happy to be on board and said she enjoys using marketing and graphic design to help create promotions for the grand reopening. She was also tasked with finding many of the featured artists who will offer patron of Amazing Petals a wide array of artistic choices.
‘We have a candle person from Ferndale who is reasonably priced and we have a person who creates a unique paper or book-based art decor out of Royal Oak who I met through the Rustbelt Artist Market in Ferndale,? said Blais. ‘We also have garden art, jewelry, photography from local Beth Mason and much more.?
Blais said another aspect she and Hency approached was pairing the art with the floral arraignments. To this end, a woman who make decorative baked goods was recruited in an attempt to compliment Hency’s existing trade.
‘Up front we have stuff like cake balls and cookies that are decorated,? said Blais. ‘People call and ask for a floral arraignment and often ask if we can include sweets. Well now we can.?
Amazing Petals is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment on Sundays. From June to September, the store will be open late on Wednesdays.
They can be reached online at amazingpetals.com or by phone at 248-814-9755.