Armed with a floral knife and a basket of colorful flowers, design instructor Frankie Shelton told a class of flower-shop owners Wednesday that they can't "sell an empty wagon." Relating how she lost a potential customer many years ago because the flower case was empty at closing time, Shelton told the students to always keep their coolers filled with "a bunch of stuff ready to go." The business tip was one of many that Shelton, a designer, teacher and motivational speaker from Houston, Texas, shared with students during a three-day seminar at Countryside Flowers, 109 E. 39th St., in Joplin. Shelton said she especially enjoys teaching the craft to students who otherwise would never be able to attend a design school. "I like to take my knowledge to the grass roots, especially where people can't get to a school," she said of her 35 years of experience. Moravitis asked Shelton. Shelton told the beginners to get silk flowers in various sizes and colors for line, mass and filler, and then "practice, practice, practice. She said the skill eventually will present itself. Shelton also told shop owners to set a one-day-a-week routine to go to businesses and establish corporate accounts. She suggested taking along a rose for the owners. "I'm from the country, and I know you have to plant seeds to get a crop," Shelton said. She said flower-shop employees must be able to spell boutonniere and know the names of all the common flowers. They also should know that women buy more flowers than men, and that women prefer colored roses. Famed florist Frankie Shelton is a former president of the American Institute of Floral Design and trustee of the foundation's scholarship fund. She said that under three presidential administrations, she decorated the White House for Christmas. SOURCE: The Joplin Globe About Frankie Shelton Frankie Shelton is an internationally known designer, teacher and commentator. For four separate years under three presidential administrations she was selected as a White House decorator at Christmas. She was a decorator for the Vice Presidential home in 1985 and was chairperson of the Inaugural Design teams in 1985 and 1989. She is the past president of the national American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). Prominent among her awards are: Distinguished Services to the Industry, Distinguished Service to AIFD, Fellow of the Institute with life membership, Tommy Bright Award for outstanding floral industry commentating, and the Florida Hall of Fame Award for Distinguished Service to the industry. Frankie owned and operated a retail floral business for 18 years, which she sold in 1977. She continues a busy career as Educational Director of the Shelton-White School of Floral Design and owner of Florenco.

Frankie Shelton Tamie was a student at the Shelton-White school and had taken many advanced classes from Frankie Shelton, AIFD, AAF, PFCI. Mrs. Shelton is the co-owner of the Shelton-White School of Floral Design in Memphis TN and a FELLOW Member of AIFD. Frankie recalls when she was lecturing she could look out in the audience and know Tamie was her cheerleader, something she will never forget. Tamie invited Frankie to her home for a week, which Shelton states, "was most delightful." "It was an inspirational experience that I will never forget," Shelton said of the visit. During her stay with Tamie, Frankie visited the Tayama booth in the LA Flower Market. Frankie also remembers Tamie Kimura as an Educator who helped her learn how things were grown, about improvements in technology in the industry through the industry. "It was like reading a book throughout the week," recalled Shelton. Frankie Shelton continues to serve as the major teacher at the Shelton-White School, which is an AIFD Education Partner.

Frankie Shelton Frankie Shelton Frankie Shelton

About Frankie SheltonFrankie Shelton is an internationally known designer, teacher and commentator.For four separate years under three presidential administrations she was selected as a White House decorator at Christmas.She was a decorator for the Vice Presidential home in 1985 and was chairperson of the Inaugural Design teams in 1985 and 1989. She is the past president of the national American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).Prominent among her awards are: Distinguished Services to the Industry, Distinguished Service to AIFD, Fellow of the Institute with life membership, Tommy Bright Award for outstanding floral industry commentating, and the Florida Hall of Fame Award for Distinguished Service to the industry.Frankie owned and operated a retail floral business for 18 years, which she sold in 1977.She continues a busy career as Educational Director of the Shelton-White School of Floral Design and owner of Florenco.