Meet Cristi, Owner + Lead Designer

A little about me — a Lover of The Great Lakes! I studied Human Rights and Women’s Studies in college. My heart is happiest with flowers, hiking, antiquing or discovering new music. My favorite trip was a solo adventure to Japan where I took my first Ikebana lesson (traditional Japanese floral design).

Flowers were always something in my periphery, but I didn’t know how to start. A couple years after college, I was working in event planning at the University of Michigan. A couple blocks away was a small (but mighty!) flower shop. Without much floral experience, I offered my graphic design skills and to sweep the floors. After being kindly turned down...I went back a few days later to inquire again. To my surprise and delight, the owner gave me a shot.

From there, I learned hundreds of flower names, their care, design mechanics, and the nuances of delivery.  Eventually, I came to work for the shop in a management role and oversaw the events department. Over the years I’ve advanced my skills by taking courses with some of the leading educators in floristry. Working in a brick & mortar shop also brought me into an incredible community of designers, growers, wholesalers, drivers, educators and floor sweepers. 

With 8+ years of experience and hundreds of events under my belt both domestically and internationally, I am excited to bring my talents to your doorstep, your friend’s doorstep, local businesses, and other florists in need of skilled hands. Trust me to deliver thoughtfully-designed arrangements & excellent customer service for your business or upcoming event.

I look forward to working with you!

Hello There!

Having flowered from Tokyo, Japan to Santiago, Chile, I understand my work with flowers as a universal connector & bridge for community. Flowers are the medium & Connection is the art!


THE FRESH CUT COMMITMENT

When you trust Fresh Cut Design with your big holidays, projects and events, you are choosing a personable, well-experienced floral professional, who will care care about the the quality of the work and customer service like you do. Fresh Cut Design is committed to reducing waste & working towards a more sustainable floral industry.

Floral Experience

Freelance Floral Designer 2021-Present

University Flower Shop - Ann Arbor, MI

Sweetwater Floral – Petoskey, MI (Retail Manager + Designer)

Forget Me Not Florist – Sutton’s Bay, MI

Epsilon Floral - Linden, MI

Lilies of the Alley - Traverse City, MI

Canasto de Flores - Santiago, Chile

Event Manager  /  Business Assistant  /  Floral Designer 2016-2021

University Flower Shop – Ann Arbor, MI

Additional Training

Design Intensive Weekend with Sweetwater Floral (Petoskey) - 2021

Updated Wearables with Sue McLeary (Ann Arbor) - 2019

Midollino Artistry with Hitomi Gilliam  (Grand Rapids) - 2019

Introduction to Ikebana (Kyoto, Japan) - 2018

Dutch Masterclass with Puravida Flores (Santiago, Chile) - 2018

Foam-Free Installations + Bridal Bouquets with Sue McLeary (Ann Arbor) - 2018

Wiring Technique and Cascading Bridals (Ann Arbor) - 2017