Liverpool florist puts flower workshops on the menu at Duke Street Food & Drink Market

Nathalie Somerset has teamed up with the city centre venue after already heading up a number of successful festive wreath-making sessions there, with Somerset Blooms.

She says: “I first did wreathmaking sessions in November 2023 and then last year, and they all sold out. People kept asking me if I was doing anything throughout the rest of the year.

“I am a great advocate of connecting with nature and working with flowers, not just for the mental health benefits – but because it’s so much fun.”

And Nathalie adds: “The workshops are relaxed, not formal, and people can just have a good time. You can maybe come with friends, or on your own and leave with new ones…but you’ll have a great experience and learn new skills.”

There are three workshops at Duke Street Food & Drink Market, starting on Friday, February 14, with a Galentines Flower Crown session.

Nathalie Somerset - Somerset Blooms — Nathalie Somerset – Somerset Blooms

“The message behind the Galentines event is the whole self-love movement,” says Nathalie, “and that you don’t have to have a partner or be with someone to celebrate love.

“You can love yourself and you can love your friends and making new friends, and you can love making things.

“There’s a big group of people who don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, maybe because they’re not with someone, or they feel pressure with the expense, whereas this is just about having fun and being creative.

“You can make a flower crown which is great for festivals – and of course, it’s made with fresh flowers so it won’t keep, but you’ll know what to do when you go to your next outdoor music event.”

On Wednesday, February 19, there’s a Make Your Own Fairy Garden workshop in half term: adults and little ones can create their very own fairy garden together filled with colourful wildflowers, fresh blooms, and lots of sparkly decorations.

Duke Street wreath class - group photo Nov 2023 - first class. Somerset Blooms — Duke Street wreath class – group photo Nov 2023 – first class. Somerset Blooms

“Then can plant beautiful flowers and wildflower seeds and make the garden come to life with mini fairies, and add magical touches with tiny props and accessories,” adds Nathalie.

And on Saturday, March 29, there’s Mother and Daughter Bouquet Making (although sons are welcome): “We’ll make a beautiful hand-tied bouquet using sustainable, eco-friendly techniques – and there’s a glass of fizz too. Who can say no to that?”

Mum-of-one Nathalie, 39, from Dovecot, has been enjoying creating masterpieces for weddings and events for more than 10 years, finally leaving her corporate role in HR to work full-time with her passion for floral design just three years ago and setting up her own company Somerset Blooms.

“I have always been a flower nerd, even as a child I’d make flowers out of paper and make pictures, or I’d make perfume for my school friends with petals from the garden. It’s my haven, my happy place.

“I took two college classes about 10 years ago to learn the basic techniques and flower care, and then much of what I do is self-taught.

Nathalie Somerset with her gorgeous creations

“People say you can always recognise my designs because I draw my inspiration from the outdoors, there’s nothing symmetrical, with a bouquet or a table centrepiece it’s like a mini wild garden.

“I can do gift bouquets, but I specialise in weddings and events because you can build relationships and create a mini community which I love and, of course, the workshops.”

Nathalie did her first workshop about two years ago, volunteering in a local care home to help dementia patients create flower baskets.

“At the end of the week I’d often have flowers and foliage I’d picked left over and so instead of wasting it, I asked if I could go in to Paisley Court near where I live and make the baskets with the residents – and they loved it (and so did I).

“I made a page on LinkedIn and Duke Street Food & Drink Market saw it and asked me if I’d do a Wreathmaking Workshop there. And here we are now.

“I love sharing what I do and my passion; and giving people a nice experience and new skills.

“It’s about having a good time and creating amazing memories.”