Well, I am back from the Country Living Magazine Holiday Bazaar in Tarrytown and it was fantastic. I will try to get some pictures posted for you in the next couple of days.
But that is not why I am writing tonight.
Last summer, I received a commission from quite a prestigious shop in New York City to make them 6 wreaths. The whole thing came about as a result of a pretty casual and brief meeting at the show in Rhinebeck in June. At the time, I had no idea who they were. Peggy simply gave me her card and asked me to call her in August or September.
I merely thought she wanted me to make them a wreath for their home.
So, when I called her in August, I almost fell off my chair when she asked me if I could make her wreaths to sell in their shop.
The name of the shop is Zeze: Flowers, Gifts, Gardens, Antiques, and Events. Zeze is Peggy’s husband. He is a Brazilian gentleman who, as it turns out, is a world-renowned floral designer. They have a lot of quite notable clients.
If you look at their gorgeous website, you can see what they do. Be sure to check out the section titled “Press.” They have been featured in just about every home and design magazine you can imagine as well as having consistently been voted number 1 florist in NYC. I am glad that I did not read all of that before I started work; I may have been too intimidated to get started.
I got to work. Peggy was able to give me some very clear direction that still left me plenty of room for my own creative juices to have free rein. She was just fantastic to work with – and so nice.
When I got back from my Atlanta show at the end of October, I packed up my six babies and FedExed them off to the Big Apple.
We had planned to meet in Tarrytown this past weekend, Peggy and Zeze bought tickets to the show for Saturday. But Friday night, I received an email from Peggy saying that the weekend was now completely filled and they would not be able to make it. That was disappointing, but she urged me to pay them a visit in Manhattan on my way home.
Honestly, the idea of driving in NYC is pretty daunting to me but I was ready to do it. Peggy offered to have somebody from the shop take care of my car. But the weather gods had a surprise in store for us in the form of an ice storm. I made the decision Monday morning that, given the conditions, I would be better off heading straight for home. After all, it was an eight-hour drive and we were not able to get on the road until about 11:00 due to the ice. I was sad but felt I had made the best decision.
Once I got back to Richmond, I emailed Peggy to let her know we made it all right and that I hoped we could connect another time. She responded the next morning by telling me that they had done their 2 Christmas windows on Sunday and that all six of my wreaths were in the windows!
Oh, my gosh! Really? It’s darn near impossible for me to come up with the words to explain to you how incredible it is to think that something I made is in the front windows of a shop in Manhattan. Pinch me, I’m dreaming.
This morning, I got even more amazing news. Peggy emailed me at 8:00 this morning to tell me:
“Cackie, today on “the today show” they are doing a live taping of Mariah Carey at her home. They might have your Madame wreath on the kitchen counter during the interview. Check it out. Can’t promise. Rushing, p.”
I have a confession to make.
I started to squeal. And jump up and down. Like a kid. But I bet you will excuse me, won’t you? Holy smokes.
The Madame wreath she is talking about is a sort of joke. At some point, Peggy requested a soft pink, silver, and white wreath that would be suitable for a “madame.” For some reason that tickled me.
I made “Pink Parfait.”
And so, “Pink Parfait” is now in Mariah Carey’s kitchen.
Wow.
I’ve had an awfully good day.
And now I’m going to go have a glass of wine. Or two.
Good night, friends. Sleep tight and have sweet dreams. I know I will.
OMG. I’m giving this a moment of silence…. Okay, woo-hoo!! I am so happy for you!! I am not surprised, because your wreaths are fabulous! I wonder what they sold them for…. Gives one pause, doesn’t it?
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Hi, Fairy Tale Writer! You are too wonderful for words. Thank you for brightening up my days! Interestingly, I don’t really mind what they might sell them for – I am happy with what I got and I can tell you that they work really, really hard, so more power to them. I am looking forward to some downtime soon so I can catch up on all your writing. I have not had a chance to read much for ages. Thanks for your continued cheering in my corner! Cackie
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No worries, this must be your busy season. In January, you can relax and renew. I hope your days glitter and nothing falls splat! LOL Peace and Joy! Brenda
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Cackie, How simply stupendous!!!
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It is pretty cool, huh? And I love the sound of “Stupendous!” thanks, Edie!
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very very very exciting!
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Indeed it is! thank you, dear, and xoxo – C
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Congrats!
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You deserve it. Your wreaths are done with heart, and real artistry. Good luck to you.
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Dear Sonja -thank you very much for your lovely compliment. I still look forward to making yours for you. Take care, Cackie
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Hi Cackie! This doesn’t surprise me at all. Your wreaths really are THAT amazing! They are better than any I’ve seen, including certain ones that have been featured on the cover of magazines.
Tomorrow on Kathy Lee and Hoda (the second part of the Today show) they are going to be back in Mariah’s kitchen! I’ll be watching to see if I can spy that fabulous wreath!
I’m so happy for you!
Erica 🙂
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Well, honey, would you like to be my spokesperson? Honestly, Erica, you blow me away with your comment. THANK YOU! And that is so awesome that they will be in the kitchen tomorrow ‘cuz that is (supposedly) where the wreath is! How do you know that?????? I’ve got to set my DVR!!! Thanks for the heads up! God bless, C
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Hi Cackie!
I just popped back on here to show my sister all of your wreaths and tell her the story about “The Big Apple”! Of course she’s amazed! I would kill to see all of them hanging in that store window. I bet it looks stunning! Manhattan is so amazing! Oh- I caught the tail end of Kathy Lee and Hoda today, and they said that tomorrow they’ll be at Mariah’s. They showed a little clip and they were in her kitchen. I caught a glimpse of pink roses on the kitchen island I think. I wonder if your wreath is part of that display. We will be watching and looking hard!
Thank you for the “shout out” my friend!
Erica 🙂
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Congratulations Cackie! The beauty and memories that your masterpieces evoke make me smile when I view your photos. Have a very Merry Christmas. Sigh, wish our paths would cross before Sharon Springs next year..
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Dear Mary Jo,
I apologize for just now replying to your nice comment. Thank you so much for your lovely compliments. I’m so glad my Christmas designs bring back good memories for you – that’s exactly what I strive for. I’ll be back in Rhinebeck, NY in June and that’s not so far from Sharon Springs. Perhaps I’ll see you then! Merry Christmas,Cackie
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