FRK's latest venture, the one-to-one workshops, has left me havering between incredulous laughter and simmering rage at her presumption. It took me only a moment to find courses run by established businesses, just to see what they offer and the cost. Two examples below, selected at random.
Leafy & Couture, Yorkshire
"Introduction to Floristry", 5 day intensive course: £1,300 (inc lunch)
We create beautiful flowers and grow talented florists for weddings and events in Yorkshire and beyond.
leafycouture.co.uk
Judith Blacklock Flower School, London
"Floristry & Events Styling", 10 day course: £2,995
"Flower Arranging", intensive 5 day course, £999
Based in Knightsbridge in London our floristry courses have an exceptional reputation for classic floristry skills and contemporary design.
www.judithblacklock.com
And then we have the Nordic drifter and grifter
by Marie Wiik, in a cupboard in Haworth
Choose your preferred topic - "the basics", "wedding floristry",
"Foraging", "large scale installations", "experimental design using fresh and dried flowers"
3 day course, £1,300; 5 day course, £2,100.
Does Marie really think that she - with a one year floristry course under her belt, one wedding in her portfolio, a limited range of floral style ("I do what I want"), hand-tied bunches shoved in jam jars, a few swags and garlands, some wreath sales, weekly bouquets to order (but potential customers have no choice), foliage Foraging in the undergrowth, random workshops of questionable benefit to the attendees - is sufficiently qualified, talented.and proficient to charge £260 per day (3 day course) or £420 per day (5 day course) for her undivided attention and tuition?
But wait. Qualified, talented and proficient are words that her self-belief/delusion make obsolete. Not quite 30.000 followers on IG. Nearly 27,500 Y/T subscribers. "As seen on Chateau DIY." 129 Patreon supporters. Her supporters tell her she is gifted and a marvel. In short, Marie is A Success Story.
Yeah, right.
There will be more tears. She will chip away at the immense goodwill, generosity, kindness and friendship shown to her by Nikki and Jill. She could build a little business, supplementing her income with some part-time work, but instead seems to think the world owes her a living without her doing the graft herself. Her attitude, the waterworks and the manipulation are deeply unpleasant. The toxicity in which she lived at the uninhabitable farmhouse was exacerbated by Marie's own belligerence, surliness and avarice.
Yes, I'm being hard on her. I could be harder still. I find her attitude beyond exasperating when she could make her new start at Haworth a golden opportunity to establish a secure, happy and fulfilled life. Living within her means, not existing in her dreams.