Shelly Banders

Ex-designer turned wild floral forager

Shelley Banders - Rebel Floristry     

Ex-designer turned wild floral forager

In 2018 Shelley left behind city life and a fledging design career to restore an old farmhouse in South Gippsland with her husband Tom. Having always explored the interplay of plants and interiors, the abundant offering on Gippsland roadsides often made its way into the home. Shelley began to understand that sourcing and creating her own wild arrangements was a mindful practice that fostered a connection to the seasons. It can also be seen as a rejection of the traditional floristry industry, which can come at a cost to both the consumer and the planet.

Now, between raising two boys, an Airedale, a flock of chickens, a colony of bees, tending to a veggie patch, volunteering at the local hall and writing for Gippslandia, Shelley creates wild floral installations and hosts workshops exploring the art of sourcing and presenting found foliage for aesthetic, environmental and consumerist rebellion.

We invite both women and men to attend.