CRAIG CONOVER FROM BRAVO'S SOUTHERN CHARM
Craig Conover is a fan favorite on Bravo’s hit reality series, Southern Charm (2013). Mocked during filming for his enthusiasm for sewing, Craig has turned his previous pastime into a full-time career with his co-founding of Sewing Down South: a growing southern-based ‘Sewing Lifestyle Brand’.
Hailing from Fenwick Island, Delaware, Craig remains extremely close with his parents & brother. His domestic skills were further honed after a thyroid cancer diagnosis for his mother drew Craig home to help care for her. His mother’s health scare inspired him to create a collection of all iodine-free meals to aid her recovery. That’s right, he cooks and sews!
Craig often lends a hand to military causes and uses his platform to bring attention to philanthropic organizations closest to his heart. Through Sewing Down South, Craig was able to raise over $25,000 for rescue and relief efforts for those suffering from Hurricane Dorian.
A board-certified attorney, Craig is a graduate of College of Charleston and Charleston Law School. He also hosts a popular podcast (Pillows & Beer) and is the author of a top-rated memoir “Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with My Sewing?”
See Craig live on our Fresh Ideas Stage Friday, September 29th at 3 PM and Saturday, September 30th at 12 PM!
INDIA MORROW, GARDENISTAJAX
India Morrow, aka GardenistaJax, is former Spanish teacher and journalist that has leveraged her skillset in both to build a thriving plant business. GardenistaJax has many branches of services and product offerings including interior and exterior plant design and installation, custom arrangements and plant gift decor. Her favorite part of the business as a former educator, is the opportunity for her to provide consultation and workshops to educate novice and experienced plant lovers on all things plant-related.
Her business began as a side-hustle when she quit teaching and moved to Florida from the Midwest because she simply wanted to make some extra money selling plant creations at a fun boutique at the beach while she worked on reinventing herself. Quickly she realized plants were a passion for many and began to explore social media channels as a means to teach about plant care and ways to style plants inside and outside homes and businesses. Before she knew it, a few small succulents in quirky planters turned into large displays of plants in planters and her business blossomed and became a positive product of the plant craze during COVID. GardenistaJax adores helping to inspire other plant lovers with her examples on social media and with consultations and local decorating appointments.
India Morrow and the GardenistaJax brand represent learning and growing in the truest sense of the words as plants teach us that trial and error combined with occasional failure and success are worth the challenge during the process. She hopes her story will inspire others to not be afraid to take more risks and follow their passion and creative side and spend more time doing what they love.
See India Morrow of GardenistaJax live on our Fresh Ideas Stage Friday, September 29th at 1 PM and Sunday, October 1st at 1 PM!
JACKIE LACEY & ANGELYN TIPTON FROM THE FLORIOLOGY INSTITUTE
Jackie Lacey has over thirty-five years of experience in the retail floral market and floral education field. His portfolio includes an extensive background in the retail floral market and wedding/event design experience. Jackie now utilizes his experience to provide education and instructional design programs, market showroom set up, private retail consulting, product development as well as design and event planning. His current position as Director of Education and Industry Relations with Floriology, BloomNet and Napco and Senior Design Team Specialist and Senior Editor for Floriology Magazine keep him on top of market trends, current design trends, industry education and retail marketing.
Jackie has won numerous awards in floral design competitions in both multi state, national and local floral associations. Published articles have appeared on both his expertise and floral experience. His work has been published in Floriology Magazine, SAF, “Flowers &”, “Modern Bride”, “Inside Weddings” and many others. National Television exposure includes designing and participation for WE TV programs “Platinum Weddings” and “I Do Over” as a Celebrations.Com Floral Expert. Previous work for celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane, Cheryl Ladd, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio have come easily through participation with floral design on several major motion pictures. Continuing education through numerous stage presentations for multi–state Associations and national industry leaders such as SAF, AFE, Virgin Farms Direct, Smithers-Oasis, BloomNet, FTD, Fitz Design Team, Floral Strategies and John Henry Company allow Jackie to help the continued growth of the floral industry. Experience in floral design for the Tournament of Roses Parade floats, product development team for the largest Import/Export show in the world and set up and design for Gift Market showrooms only adds to the vast floral experience he can call on for every event.
Angelyn was literally raised in her Mother’s flower shop. At the age of 16 she went to work for her mom as a designer/ delivery girl to have some “play” money. Angelyn was lucky enough to attend many Georgia State Florist Conventions, FTD and Teleflora National Conventions. With nearly 40 years in the industry, she shares her passion for flowers with everyone. She has continued her floral education to keep up with new floral trends. She has served on the Georgia State and Florida State Association for many years and is a Certified Evaluator for GSFA. Angelyn also had the privilege of being able to decorate floats at the Rose Bowl Parade working for Fiesta Floats. Some of these include, Miracle Grow, City of Torrance, Kaiser Permanente, and Chinese American Heritage Foundation. Angelyn is the Education Coordinator at Floriology Institute. She is an active member of the American Institute of Floral Design. She was elected to its Southern Board and serves as the President. She has worked as a freelance designer around the country and won awards for her wedding work as well as in floral design competitions. She just wrapped up working on several television and movie projects. Her work can also be seen in several industry magazines and was recently published in AIFD’s Artistic Floral Design Book and the AIFD Guide to Floral Design Vol. III.
See Jackie & Angelyn on the Fresh Ideas Stage all three days of the show as they share tips, tricks, & techniques on how to use foliage that is popular in today’s Florida landscape to dress up your flower center pieces and bring smiles to all those that get to enjoy them.