The roots of Janessa Walter’s budding flower business, Gold Dust Floral, can be found in Western PA. The charming new flower shop, which recently moved into a Lawrenceville storefront, began with the owner’s lifelong interest in flowers and floral design.
“I’ve always really liked flowers,” explains Janessa Walter, owner and designer at Gold Dust Floral. “I grew up in a rural area. We had flowers, I grew things, and my grandparents would teach me things.”
After moving to Pittsburgh, she took floral design classes offered at Phipps Conservatory. And just like her flowers, the Gold Dust business grew naturally, starting a few years ago with a friend’s wedding.
“I got lucky with the emergence of social media,” says Walter. “I posted my journey taking flower workshops and that helped me book my first weddings. From there, it just sort of snowballed.”
The new Gold Dust space on Butler Street is the headquarters for the business, and workspace for all customer arrangements. While it will not be a retail store, Gold Dust has plans to open up the space for workshops and classes down the road.
“Seasonally we will have little work shops for people,” says Walters. “We have a couple of wreath classes planned, and will have open houses for holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.”
Gold Dust Floral focusses on weddings and events.Their style is very natural, organic, and a little bohemian. The business collaborates closely with customers to help curate the feel of their event.
“I like flowers in all of their different states,” says Walter. “I’m not someone who isn’t going to use a flower because its not open all the way, or damaged, or turning a little brown. I appreciate all stages, and all the work a flowers go through from being a bud to graduating to a full bloom.”
Find more information, and updates on workshops and classes, online.
Gold Dust Floral (3534.5 Butler St)
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