We'll be offering two new shipments this month on our new Loading Dock Deals program.  Sign up for our Loading Dock Deals list to ensure you get the word!  As we receive large shipments of decor merchandise we'll send you an email picturing items we're receiving and detailing the sale days.  If you don't mind wading through packing cardboard on our loading dock you can save yourself 15-30% and get first priority on the fresh new items!

First Up?....Over-sized Accent Pottery.  Beautiful antiqued finishes.  Trendy Colors.  Cool Shapes.  And we mean it when we say Over-sized- some styles are over 3 feet tall.

We notify customers of "Loading Dock Deals" ONLY BY E-MAIL so be sure you have signed up to receive those emails.  You can sign up by clicking on the Manage My Subscription tab of this newsletter or at our website, http://www.washingtonfloral.com

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Have you ever delivered a stunning buffet piece, only to have dull lighting at the hall wash out the vibrant color?  Ever wished you could light up that entry way arrangement like a fine piece of art?  Our favorite new product from Acolyte is just what you need to add dimension and glamor to your designs.

The E-Spotlyte 20 is a wireless spotlight unit with a 20 LED pivoting head, allowing controlled light direction.  The E-Spotlyte comes in a silver finish casing and uses 3AA batteries and lasts 8-10 hours.

Add some drama to your next party!  At $53.30 for a set of 3 they make a great rental add-on.

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Remember our Group Buy Box Sale in February?  The program was so popular that we are doing it again!   April 18th is the deadline for the next order.  Click here for more details. We'll be doing this again at the end of August so order enough to get through the summer.

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Need a little inspiration?  Looking for a way to connect with our global industry in an interesting and fun way?  Visit our favorite floral website www.humanflowerproject.com.

The Human Flower Project is an international newsgroup, photo album and discussion of how people live through flowers.  Their reporters cover flowers in art, medicine, society, politics, religion and commerce.  With a global perspective, the contributors to The Human Flower Project have inspired us to learn more about how flowers are used and enjoyed throughout the world.

Recent submissions include a historical account of Hawaiian leis, great pictures of floral drifts and tapestries at a commitment ceremony and an interesting view of how politics in Israel and Gaza lead to a red carnation feast for a bunch of goats.  Check it out for yourself and see why this fun website is best described as "Floral News Confetti".

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You probably already know that Washington Floral Service delivers across Western Washington.  But did you realize that we also have a shipping department?  For those of you who are not within our delivery area we offer shipping service on a variety of carriers.

When it becomes necessary to ship your purchases, be it fresh flowers or one of the thousands of supply items in our stock, you may be assured your product will be handled by a shipping expert. Packing will be performed not only to meet courier's requirements but also to meet the high standards set  by Washington Floral Service.

Here are just a few things to remember should the courier deliver your product to you in less than perfect condition:

1. Look for any outside box damage and make note of it on your courier reciept before signing for your package.
2. If damage is not identified until after your package is opened, save the contents and all packing materials and call the courier (Fed Ex, UPS, USPS, etc) to request a damage inspection.
3. Call your Washington Floral Service representative to report damage.

If you should have any shipping questions please call our shipping manager Steve Black at

1-800-351-5515 ex. 3332

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Call it Secretary's Day or Professional Administrative Assistant's Week, either way mark your calendars for April 21-25.  We're celebrating the 56th anniversary this year!  And so are 3.9 million administrative assistants and 8.9 million administrative support staff.  Now that's a gigantic pool of potential customers for any smart floral marketer.

Contrary to popular belief, Secretary's Week was not created in an attempt to sell more flowers.  Although, that is a great plan.  It was created in 1952 in an effort to recognize administrative assistants for their contribution to business and to attract young people to the profession.

We talked to several florists who capitalize on the this holiday in a big way and here are some of their tips for a successful week.

1.  Be Prepared! Balloons, enclosure cards, picks and bud vases ....Washington Floral has all these items in stock now.

2.  Remind Them! Statement stuffers! Window Display!  Banner Sign!  When the week rolls around they'll remember you.

3.  Take a Look Back! Which clients ordered last year?  Be their hero and approach them early to help them with this year's needs.

4.  Simplify Designs! Remember that most orders will be for multiple arrangements.  Cut down the time it takes to design by using fewer insertions.

5.  Consider Cross Marketing! Hook up with a local restaurant or coffee shop, popular with the office crowd.  Offer a package including a certificate for lunch or coffee at a later date.  Have the restaurant or coffee shop offer flowers to enhance the dining experience during the week. 

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Don't cringe when we say "Fill 'er up".  We're not talking about your gas tank.  We're talking about that mixed basket or vase of spring flowers.  Spring is prime time for a variety of fun fillers.

Boronia is on it's way!  The citrus smell and vibrant lipstick pink color are a sure sign that spring has indeed arrived.  Boronia was named after Francesco Borone, a personal servant who died while collecting the plant for botanist John Sibthorp in 1794.  File that factoid away for our next round of Floral Jeopardy.

Ever wonder how to price  filler products that don't always have the same number of stems in each bunch?  We got a tip from Kevin Ylvisaker at last week's design show. Divide each bunch into 6 or 8 smaller equal bunches.  Rubber band each bunch, divide the total cost by the number of smaller bunches you made, add your markup and put a price tag on each bunch.  This eliminates guessing or estimating

Other spring blooming fillers regularly in stock include: Eriostomen, Lepto, Sterling Range, Acacia, Heather and Genestra.

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Our annual wedding show received rave reviews and we are already planning next years event.  Your feedback is important to us and we invite your suggestions to make next year's show even better.  We look forward to providing you with learning opportunities and appreciate it when you can take part.

Kevin Ylvisaker (sponsored by Oasis) put on an intimate hands on workshop focusing on wearable flowers.  According to Kevin, the single rose bout is on it's way out.  It's replacement?  Cool shaped floral jewelery like the funky moon boutonniere made by Cynthia of Capitol Florist.

Prom season is right around the corner and if you did not get a chance to attend, you can still be inspired by the John Henry Corsage and Prom book.  Ask your salesperson for details.

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Mug arrangements and Secretary's week sort of go hand in hand but our plant department has taken this standard to a new level.

Planted especially for the holiday in a textured metal mug and saucer this cute planter makes a great cash and carry item.  They will include a coffee plant and tea roses in a variety of colors, topped off with a metal "Thank-You" pick. What a quick and easy sale for a busy week!  The perfect price point too at just $10.00 each, packed 5 per flat.

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