Describing himself as a “fine artist who uses a digital camera” Rodney Love’s creativity ranges from his many years as floral banquet designer in one of the UK’s most famous stately homes, through to flower drawings and finely painted “portraits” of gardens and goes on to landscape photography plus commissioned private exhibitions of architectural studies from some of NZ’s leading property developers. From July this year he is the creator of cover images for the international magazine, Floral Design and is also the SouthIsland, NZ, correspondent for this journal. In short Rodney likes a challenge and will take his camera anywhere there is a celebration of colour.

In 2002 Rodney moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, after a life time of living and working in many different countries. In NZ he found “home” and now works as a full time artist/photographer. His achievements include an exhibition of floral work in the 2005 Christchurch Festival of Flowers, for whom he will also be the official photographer from 2009. He has sales of prints of his work world wide. He has done paintings of notable Christchurch gardens and produces personalised CD’s of photographs of private functions and also private commissions and exhibitions of various kinds, as mentioned above.

Picture of Rodney Love

Rodney’s work can be seen at Rodneylove.com and at Saatchi gallery.co.uk

Rodney is also available as a photographer of your floral events or your flower shops, for architectural photography and as an abstract image provider for magazines and interiors.
EMAIL Rodney at: love@there.is

Rodney has taken excellent photos for the Direct2florist website. On a weekend trip to Avoca in New Zealand, Rodney captured Garry & Joy Knight and friends in stunning surroundings. Using excellent camera skills and some inspired editing, Rodney has created an excellent Direct2florist publicity shot. The photo shows Garry making a flower delivery in a very remote part of New Zealand. View this stunning publicity shot here.

The successful growth of Direct2florist over the last 16 months has led the team behind D2F to already start work on a florist2florist connection between florists on the site. The florist2florist (f2f) connection will allow florists to send orders direct to each other cutting costs and time delays currently encountered by traditional relay or wire services.

Despite the new system being in its early stages of development and despite the fact Direct2florist have made no formal announcement about it to their members, already over 80 florists have found the f2f feature and used it. One of the 1st florists being Sandra at Astra Florist in Toronto, Canada. Sandra sent an order to Pattisons florist in Cape Town, South Africa. Asked why she used the f2f feature, she said “this system is so direct, I can use the regular trans service we have in Canada, but with f2f the order goes direct to the florist. That saves time which is important on an urgent delivery. The f2f system also cuts middlemen which saves the customer money and gives everybody better value.”

It is hoped the f2f feature will become a huge benefit for florists that currently pay high membership fees and percentages to the current wire/relay services that are out there. Best of all a new direct system like this gives customers excellent value for money when sending flowers.

More details on the new f2f feature will be released to all florists registered to Direct2florist in the coming weeks.

Watching the Opening ceremony of the Olympics last night was the the 1st real opportunity I have ever had to see Beijing close up. What a beautiful city! And “wow”, the Olympic opening; as I write this in the UK, it seems impossible London will be able to compete in 4 years time.

This morning I was delighted to receive pictures from Stanley Wong, of Wicker Express in Hong Kong and Beijing. Stanley is our proud D2F representative in Hong Kong and China and he is growing the D2F presence in major cities across China.

Stanley Wong of Wicker Express

The picture below shows Chinese florist’s at class.

Florists in Class

In this picture we can see the trainer making a very large floral display, which looks really amazing. This is the 1st time I have ever seen real florists at work in China. Personally speaking, I know so little about the far east and the way things “get done” that I find it fascinating to see people on the other side of the world working in floristry. I think this is what makes the Direct2florist concept so great. It makes the sending of flowers from continent to continent so real; for the 1st time you can see and choose a real florist that is actually located in that area. IMO This type of application makes the internet great. (But that’s just me!)

Hot off the press from Beijing, Stanley sent some snaps of last nights opening ceremony. Thanks Stanley, keep them coming!

Beijing alight with Fireworks

Final thought. Someday like the 5 rings of the olympics, one day soon, maybe Direct2florist will have florists in each of the five continents.

This is the 1st painting of a florist shop uploaded to Direct2florist. We think it looks great and really colourful and characterful. Rask florist has been in the tradition of floristry since 1870, making Rask the longest established florist service in the Direct2florist community!

Artists impression of Rask Florist, Staunton

Rask Florist is centrally located in lovely downtown Staunton, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley. They keep a wide variety of flowers in stock and have an experienced staff to discuss their wedding services as well as any other occasion that may arise. They promise to provide the highest level of freshness, quality and service. Rask Florist looks forward to serving you Click here to order flowers for delivery in Staunton.

Kalamazoo County’s largest and oldest florist has joined Direct2florist. Family owned and operated since 1910 and currently under 4th and 5th generation of the

Vandersalms Kalamazoo United States

family. The family are superb growers of wonderful blooming plants and cut flowers for guaranteed freshness and satisfaction. There is a large staff of experienced floral professionals to fill your every floral need and they offer an excellent County wide prompt delivery service!

At Flowerpetal.com in Chicago, USA, their business

Flower Petal Chicago Logo

mantra is “flowers change everything…” We agree flowers can change lots and it looks like they do a great job over in Chicago. They have a great looking selection on their D2F pages click Flowers Chicago to see their gorgeous and stunning floral designs. At Flower Petal in Chicago their mission is to make sure each flower arrangement, plant and gift is delivered on time, every time, and exactly the way it is requested. If their professional listing on D2F is anything to go by, I bet they deliver on their mission every time!

We were delighted to receive this picture from Angela Kelly, a customer of Direct2florist in the UK. She ordered flowers on Wednesday afternoon in the UK and despite her daughter living in Waiuku, New Zealand the flowers were delivered on Thursday in New Zealand by The Blossom Room florist. Says Angela; “this is the 2nd time I have used Direct2florist and have to say it is the best way to send flowers overseas, my daughter was delighted with her surprise flowers too.”

Bloom Saloon

Looking round the web at D2f members we are coming across some great florists with great websites. Here’s one I found at the weekend. Bloom Saloon based in Matakana Village in NZ, boasts a snappy name and website to match! Checkout the excellent photography and site design Click Bloom Saloon Florist

See Bloom saloon on Direct2florist

Amanda’s Creative Florist

At Just 23 Amanda has already owned and run her florist “Amanda’s Creative Florist” for 2 years. Based in the beautiful fishing town of Wick in Scotland, Amanda has a great looking website too; Click Amanda’s Creative Florist. The site demonstrates Amanda’s clear eye for design and stunning floristry. See Amanda on Direct2florist

Sending flowers to Cape Town could not be easier. With real florists in Cape Town your bouquet gift can be delivered same day! Bernard at Flowercraft says of his flowers; “Outlasted all others!” This is the compliment that most often comes our way. In truth this is exactly what we love to hear! After all we pride ourselves on a commitment to excellence, superb workmanship & first class service. Our passion is flowers and our goal is to strive constantly after that ever elusive goal of zero-defect! See our D2F florists in the beautiful city of Cape Town, Click flowers cape town.

If you need flowers delivering same day by a real expert florist in Cape Town or South Africa click to see and choose your real florist and order direct using Direct2florist South Africa