Here are some faces behind the florals we provide! We asked each member to answer a few fun questions for you to get a glimpse into the heart and soul of Allium.
Sarah Petryk is our fearless leader. She started Allium Floral Design with a passionate love for florals and design. That passion shows through in every meeting, every bouquet made, and every vision that becomes a reality.
What inspires you? TRAVEL! I always find inspiration on our trips. There is something about getting outside of your own world, to give you a fresh perspective.
What are some of your hobbies? Entertaining, reading, decorating, finding that perfect vintage piece to fit somewhere, collecting and curating, all things dollhouses (a little for Maggie, but a lot for me)-love things that come in a miniature scale.
What is your favorite quote and why? I hate quotes. I know that’s a strong statement, but especially since social media has flooded us with quotes left and right….they just don’t do it for me. I don’t like to hang my hat on someone else’s phrase.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do? Dream vaca is Bali…but right now, I have my heart set on Copenhagen. Would love to just explore the city.
Who is your hero? I am not sure that I really have a hero right now. I’ve been looking a lot at some of my own character flaws recently, and how they have held me back and I’m reminded that as humans, we all have these flaws. It’s so easy to put someone else on a pedestal, especially with our current social media landscape. And for now…I’m choosing to focus on what I can do to change myself and the world around me. I tend not to talk about faith online a lot, because I think Christianity has done a really terrible job by hurting, isolating and marginalizing people. I hesitate to put myself in that camp, where people are automatically turned off because you bring up something that might have caused them pain. But I keep going back to the message of love, forgiveness and acceptance and breaking down of social and economic barriers at the core of what Jesus taught. And I think focusing on those qualities in my own life will help to mold me into a more compassionate person.
When was the last time you tried something new? What was it? I was recently in Paris (see question #1) and we had some pretty wild culinary adventures. I had never previously had pigeon or brain. Loved the brain, not as fond of the pigeon.
If you had to teach something, what would you teach? So, I am really great at explaining things to little kids. I am terrible at teaching adults. As our crew of freelancers will gladly explain, I sometimes struggle to articulate the artistic vision in my head. So, if I had to teach…I’d stick with the littles.
What are you grateful for? I am grateful to own my own business. Is it a ton of work, yes? Is it wildly rewarding? 100%. I recently read a quote (I know, I know….here I am refuting question # 3) that said “small business owners are the only people who work 80 hours, to keep from working 40 hours”. I love that I get to use what I am good at, to create something beautiful for others to enjoy.
Recount a favorite childhood memory? We got to go on a lot of travel adventures with my family. I have many happy memories stretched out in the back of the station wagon with my brother, traveling to our next destination. (No seatbelts…eeek.)
What do you look forward to most in life? I really want to see who my daughter, Maggie (now 5 years old) becomes. She is really a miracle in so many ways….and watching her grow into her own little person is just pure magic.
What do you enjoy doing over and over again? I love gardening. When I have the time to be out in the sun, with the dirt, and plants, schlepping stuff around, making our property beautiful, imagining what the plants will look like in the landscape once they have matured…that’s where my heart really sings. Also, the ocean. Being near it brings me so much joy. I want to be there again and again.
What makes you laugh? We vacation once or twice a year together with some good friends…..and I feel like I don’t laugh nearly as hard the rest of the time as I do on these trips.
Jessica Entwistle is one of our wonderful designers!
What inspires you? I’m inspired by new challenges and by beauty in nature and discovering new things.
What are some of your hobbies? I love to garden and cook and travel whenever I have the chance.
What is your favorite quote and why? “Love never fails.”
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do? If I could go anywhere it would probably be somewhere I haven’t been yet, and with someone I love. I love to adventure but not usually alone.
Who is your hero? I don’t really have a hero that I can think of at the moment! Jesus?!
When was the last time you tried something new? What was it? I love trying new things, new food, new recipes, new places, etc. I love trying to figure out how to do something myself like re-upohlstering a chair, or learning to bake my own bread. Not all things stick but I’ll try just about anything once!
If you had to teach something, what would you teach? I’m not much of a teacher 😉
What are you grateful for? I’m grateful for an amazing husband to share this life with and three kids that are awesome and fun too!
Recount a favorite childhood memory? I loved playing outside with my sisters growing up, but I can’t think of any specific memory at the moment….
What do you look forward to most in life? I look forward to being with the people I love and being outside, especially in spring when the whole world comes alive again. And I am usually looking forward to my next meal. 😉
What do you enjoy doing over and over again? I think every new day is a chance to repeat the good and discover new beauty.
What makes you laugh? My husband makes me laugh.
Emma Casey another talented designer!
What inspires you? A good playlist…the right beat gets the creativity flowing!
What are some of your hobbies? Writing, gardening with my mom, and eating way too much ice cream.
What is your favorite quote and why? “Sedulously eschew obfuscatory hyper-verbosity and prolixity.” Not sure who said it, but I love words, and this is a piece of creative genius.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do? I’d like to go ziplining in Costa Rica…or possibly floating around Venice in a gondola.
When was the last time you tried something new? What was it? I just got back from a study abroad with my school, where I got to experience my first community service to favelas in Brazil…what an experience!
If you had to teach something, what would you teach? Creative writing…some of life’s greatest joys come from books, so why not try one yourself?
What are you grateful for? My dog. Getting to work with flowers for my job—and also my family. (But not necessarily in that order…)
Recount a favorite childhood memory? Playing hide and seek with my sibling while hiding in our lilac bushes…quiet, shady, and it smelled so fabulous! (And she never could find me, an added bonus.)
What do you look forward to most in life? I’m enjoying one day at a time…life is too short to keep looking ahead for the next big moment. You miss the tiny things in the process.
What do you enjoy doing over and over again? Does eating ice cream count?
What makes you laugh? Puns…I’m a major sucker for them, and it’s terrible, but if someone says a pun (good or bad), I lose it.
Sarah Holland is a designer, admin, and social media manager for our team.
What inspires you? In this season of life I would have to say watching my son grow. He is 6 months old now, and the way he was created to grow and learn is inspiring. He is so joyful, carefree, and energetic. That is what motivates and inspires me to be the mother he deserves.
What are some of your hobbies? I absolutely love being outside. Any type of outdoor activity (hiking, camping, biking, hammocking, etc.).
What is your favorite quote and why? It’s hard to have just one… but right now… “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1. I love this verse because even just being outside and in nature, I am reminded of how strong that truth is to me in my life.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do? Right now, I really want to go to the Swiss Alps and go skiing all day, every day!
Who is your hero? Jesus! I believe that He is my Savior and strive to love, serve, and reflect his characteristics. I love seeing and experiencing His love and faithfulness.
When was the last time you tried something new? What was it? Hmmmmm probably raising a baby?! So everyday feels like I’m trying something new and learning. New mom here!
If you had to teach something, what would you teach? I would love to teach ballet to little tinies! I think it would be so much fun!
What are you grateful for? My husband, my son, an amazing and supportive family, my faith, laughter, and creativity.
Recount a favorite childhood memory? My family used to take a ski trip with our close friends every winter. Yes, the skiing was a blast… But what I always remember is the tradition of our big crepe breakfast. We would have competitions to see who could eat the most ha!
What do you look forward to most in life? Seeing what my family will look like in 10 years… We are having so much fun starting it and learning how to be parents, that I also just want to soak up each day at a time and not rush anything!
What do you enjoy doing over and over again? Going on walks in the evening with my little family.
What makes you laugh? My husband can usually get a good laugh out of me!
