A Shaw woman's floristry shop which both creates traditional arrangements and holds therapeutic workshops using nature and creativity for a "sanctuary for both body and mind" is blooming.
Charlotte Vaun works as a high intensity cognitive behavioural therapist with the NHS but has launched a new business endeavour in French Blue Florals.
The French Blue Florals studio opened up at the former site of the farm shop at Little Owl Farm on Grains Road, Delph in May.
Charlotte decided to take the leap into floristry after she took a year off work for maternity with her youngest daughter and came up with the idea to use florals in therapy.
The 36-year-old mum-of-two said: "I've always worked with flowers in terms of cutting and growing from my own garden and with family members who all have very large gardens.
"So in training to be a florist I realised how therapeutic it actually is and, being a therapist, I was looking for ways to help people process trauma, anxiety, depression.
"And so I was thinking that there's an avenue in which with my own studio that I can open up regularly for people to come and do affordable flower courses.
"Many people don't want to go to a florist school and pay a hefty price to train to be a florist or work as one, but want to just enjoy working with flowers."
Charlotte is now hosting open days in her studio, with one aimed towards businesses and professionals from local organisations on Friday, September 6 and a more family geared day on Saturday, September 7.
The open days will be held on from 10am till 3.30pm, with more information available on the florist's Facebook page.
She stressed anybody is welcome on both days, but said the Saturday may be best for families as she will be hosting children's craft activities.
She will also be launching two main courses on Fridays, with the morning slot welcoming "The Flower Club" as a more socially aimed group and the afternoon slot seeing the "Floral Therapy with French Blue" which explores how getting creative with nature can help people's mental well-being.
The workshop materials are all provided for by Charlotte, who sources all of her flowers locally, from Salford, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the occasional order from more southern British farms.
She said she is very excited to create a sustainable business that supports other small local ventures.
She also uses modern dried florals, which she said means that people suffering from allergies are also able to take part in her workshops.
French Blue Florals also sells arrangements for occasions such as weddings, funerals or birthdays as well as other floral gifts for those "just because" moments.
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