blooms in a box

August 5, 2025

Mount Olive Magic - Blooms in a Box Ceramic Floral Arrangement

I recently converted my second bedroom into a studio space, which has allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of ceramics. I have NO formal training, but thanks to YouTube and my department’s grant manager (who happens to be a trained ceramicist), I have found a way. I have learned so much about different clays, glazes, underglazes, and firing temperatures. I believe I have started to find and implement my perspective.

I have started out small. Mostly, I have made magnets, tea anchors, and small floral arrangements. These “blooms-in-a-box” are handmade ceramic flowers in an upcycled “Jiffy” mix box. Being from the Deep South, Jiffy mixes are pretty controversial. According to everyone, they make cornbread, biscuits, and pie crusts from scratch. No one wants to admit that they may occasionally (or even regularly) use help, especially if that help comes from trusty ole Jiffy.

As the child of a purist baker, I’ll never admit out loud that I, too, use Jiffy. Those cornbread and biscuit mixes are the truth, especially with chili and chicken n’ dumplings. However, I love the juxtaposition of something so completely and tediously handmade—like these ceramic floral arrangements—against these “corner-cutting” mixes.

I have a few more arrangements to add to the shop in the coming few weeks. Each arrangement will be one-of-a-kind, inspired by the natural world around me and my imagination.