Meet Allison Jemeson | Floral Artist & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Jemeson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Normally, I am a fairly risk-averse person. But I will take risks when I have the opportunity to plan them out… so I guess I take calculated risks, if they make sense to me. If you’d have told me five years ago that I would start my own business in the middle of a global pandemic, I would have laughed in your face though. I still can’t believe I did that. Leaving a successful nursing career and starting an unpredictable solo venture has really been the most significant risk I’ve ever taken… but I’m learning that the bigger the risk, the greater the reward. So cliché, right?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is the individuality of my designs. Clients seek me out because they know they are going to get something out-of-the-ordinary, textural, artistic in nature, emotion-provoking, and one-of-a-kind. I don’t use recipes. I don’t recycle designs. I truly tailor each design to its unique purpose and the people it is meant to speak to. I have been told that I have an uncanny ability to tap into the said and unsaid needs of each client and create designs that capture the spirit of the event. I always make sure to provide people with what they request, but really what I do best is take a spark of inspiration from every client and run wild with it; I put my own stamp on it. My favorite thing is to hear, “I didn’t even know flowers could look like that!” Best compliment ever. Getting to where I’m at now professionally has been an interesting journey. I was previously an operating room nurse for the better part of a decade. During those years, I was gone, a lot. I worked all kinds of wacky hours and weird shifts, call shifts, weekends, evenings, you name it. But all the while I was a nurse, I knew it wasn’t my true calling. I just didn’t have the ability to change my situation at the time. Fast forward to now… I make my own hours. I’m more present for my seven-year-old son, Asher. I can leave on an extended weekend at the last second if I choose! I’ve never been able to do that. Having more freedom and flexibly in my life has really allowed my creativity to blossom (pun intended), whereas when I was working in the OR, I felt constantly uninspired. My life has dramatically improved because I took a chance and created Eleven Blooms, and for that I am grateful. I have been an artist since before I could walk. Growing up I took many classes and entered competitions in high school. I was even awarded a full-ride art scholarship for a chalk pastel piece I did… and I turned it down to go to nursing school. I don’t know what I was thinking, haha. I have also been obsessed with flowers since before I can remember. Most toddlers play with dolls or whatever, but my favorite thing was to collect faux floral bunches from the grocery store. I carried them around with me everywhere like a “security blanket” of sorts. I guess when I look back, it was really only a matter of time until this path found me. My favorite place in the whole world during my childhood was the garden that my Grandmom created on her two acre plot of country. There were multiple gardens with all kinds of foliage, trees, benches, stepping stones, meditation spots, ivy, moss, ornamental grasses, and really almost every kind of flower imaginable. Being in her garden brought me so much joy, and I think I’m just trying to recreate that feeling every time I work with flowers. Using nature as an art medium has brought me the greatest happiness of any art form, and has reinforced important lessons like gratitude for the present moment (which is all we ever have), and the impermanent nature of the Universe. Flowers do die after all. In short, I changed career paths from something scientific to something creative for my own joy and fulfillment. And because I found my passion and purpose, I am able to share that joy with others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I am located in Broomfield, so I am lucky enough to get the best of both worlds! I have easy access to everything from Denver to Boulder, and in between! So for starters, breakfast at Sassafras in Denver or the Huckleberry in Louisville would be grand. A couple of my favorite little hiking spots are Marshall Mesa (which tends to be kinder to people who are not altitude adjusted, and has such interesting terrain), and Settler’s Park in Boulder. I love the Boulder city view from the top of the red rocks on that trail. Speaking of red rocks… how can you not mention the iconic concert venue?! If my friends have the chance, I always try to get them to see a show at Red Rocks. If they’re in the mood for a really amazing lunch and in the Lakewood area, Kickin’ Chicken is hands down the best out there. And get the street corn as your side… it’s melt-in-your-mouth amazing. I also usually walk people down Pearl Street in Boulder (which is where I first fell in love with Colorado), and then take them out for a night on the town in Denver. My favorite Denver night out consists of a quick bite at Avanti Food & Beverage or The Source in RiNo. Visitors always think these warehouse co-ops are cool (I know we had nothing like this in Wichita, Kansas where I’m from). If we’re in the mood for something a little more schnazzy, Avelina is a definite go-to for dinner, dessert, and craft cocktails. I know, I sound like an advertisement, but it’s genuinely my favorite restaurant. Cuba Cuba is amazing too, if you’re into unique ambience and authentic Cuban cuisine. Following dinner, we’d either head to Tap 14 Ballpark for rooftop drinks, or Linger – because I find it fascinating that it was previously a mortuary. El Five is another gem that has a sparkling rooftop view of the city. And closing the night dancing it out at The Temple would be the cherry on top of a perfect Colorado day, in my book. If I had a guest staying with me for long enough, I would definitely be sure to take them to soak for a day in one of the nearby hot springs – Mt. Princeton is a favorite of mine, and their spa is impeccable. I’ve never had a massage at Mt. Princeton that didn’t catapult me into another dimension, figuratively speaking of course. And last but certainly not least: a low-key, relaxing place to watch a panoramic sunset over the front range with friends and enjoy a variety of hard ciders is Acreage by Stem Ciders. Unparalleled views, food, and drinks, if you ask me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Of course I have to thank my husband Greg, who has supported me endlessly in this interesting career transition, and my amazing son Asher who tells me constantly, “Mommy, you have such a cool job now.” But, the next thing that comes to mind is a book I recommend to everyone when I get the chance… “Ask and It Is Given,” by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I don’t know if many people my age have heard of it, as it was first published in the 80’s and is still probably considered a little “new age” by some. It is a tool though — a beautiful and sometimes brutally honest magnifying glass — that allows you to examine the way you create your life, and teaches specific processes to help you consciously and deliberately create anything you can dream of. Greg and I read this book together and practice these processes on a regular basis. These teachings have shown me how to self-examine without judgement, how to take responsibility for my experience, and how to manifest some really incredible things, like Eleven Blooms. This book has helped me understand my place in the Universe, that I’m only limited by my own limiting thoughts, that being deliberate with intentions will open the door to all possibilities, and that feeling and speaking my gratitude will only bring more and more things to have gratitude for.

Website: www.elevenblooms.com
Instagram: elevenblooms
Facebook: elevenblooms

Image Credits
Ashlee Crowden Photography Bri Bond Photography Kelly Whitman Photography