David Siders, designing a new creation in his shop.

David Siders, AIFD
Owner, Experience and Creative Design, Ltd.
Schenectady, New York

Website: www.experienceandcreativedesign.com

David Siders, AIFD is co-owner of Experience and Creative Design, Ltd. in Schenectady, New York. David was inducted into the AIFD in 1982, has participated in several national symposium programs for AIFD, and has taught and worked all over the world. David’s elegant shop, Experience and Creative Design, specializes in fresh flowers for weddings, parties and special events. They also focus on home accessorizing and interior decorating, helping clients with everything from selecting furniture and custom draperies to choosing the perfect wine decanter.

Siders’ Interview

Q: How did you get started in floral design?
A: As a teenager, I loved working in my Mom’s garden – she had beautiful flowers. After a while I realized that I enjoyed arranging flowers a lot more than pulling weeds.

Q: What sort of training did you receive?
A: I got to enroll in a work-study program in high school and learn floral design while I was young, then I got my first job at a florist shop when I was 16. First I was a stock boy, then a delivery boy, and I just kept working my way up until I became a manager. I also attended American Floral Art School in Chicago.

Q: What advice would you give young floral designers starting out today?
A: Experiment! Play! When I was young I would stay late after work and experiment with color and texture, with whatever products were on hand. Whatever you have at your fingertips, see how many ways you can play with that item.

Q: Is there anything in particular that inspires your creativity?
A. Inspiration is everywhere around us, in everything. You can be staring down the railroad tracks and it’s there if you want to grab hold of it. You never know what will inspire you, so you just always keep your eyes open and look everywhere.

Q. You’re so busy running your business. What do you do to unwind?
A. I love to cook and I love movies. And I also enjoy Rollerblading, especially on the Hudson-Mohawk bikeway – it’s a great trail that goes along the old canals in the area.

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