2026 SOLSTICE workshop ~ GAIA x Passionflower Sue ~ TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Introducing the third in our series of SOLSTICE workshops for 2026… GAIA x Passionflower Sue.
Taking place in October in Bath Spa, this event is our third and final 2026 offering of seasonal, collaborative workshops with some of the world’s leading international florists.
Susan McLeary is a floral artist, presenter, author and the owner of Passionflower Sue, a design studio based in Michigan, USA that creates boundary-pushing floral art. Susan believes that floristry is an art form and that all florists are artists. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she looks to challenge conventional ideas about what florists are capable of, by empowering floral designers to explore their unique creativity.
Join us as we host two distinctive workshop days led by Susan that will immerse you in expert tuition as you embrace the opportunity to learn the art of wearable flowers.
Day 1 – Contemporary Bouquets, Corsages and Boutonnieres
Day 2 – Artful Bracelet Bouquets and Elevated Floral Jewellery
Please note: each day is sold as a separate and individual workshop. If you would like to attend more than one day, please ensure that you add these individually into your basket.
Date: 5th and 6th October 2026
Location: The Orangery at Minerva Vines, Bath
Who are the workshops for?
These workshops are for floral designers of all levels of experience and ability who enjoy natural, seasonal and abundant styles of floristry. They will be especially useful to those looking to challenge themselves and re-energise their love of natural floral design through fresh thinking and different approaches.
What will the workshops consist of?
Day 1, Monday 5th October
Contemporary Bouquets and Updated Personals: Floral Artistry with Passionflower Sue
Created for florists ready to refresh, refine, and elevate their design practice, this immersive one-day workshop offers an inspiring exploration of contemporary bouquet and wearable floral artistry, led by internationally renowned florist Susan McLeary.The day begins with an in-depth demonstration of Susan’s signature wire-spine cascade bouquet – a distinctive technique that balances structural precision with expressive, organic movement. You will then be guided step-by-step in recreating this style yourself, developing both technical confidence and a deeper understanding of form, mechanics, and creative intention.
Following lunch, Susan will demonstrate her modern approach to corsages, boutonnieres, and headpieces, sharing insights into innovative construction, thoughtful detail, and wearable design. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, push boundaries, and reinterpret these pieces in your own way, with Susan offering guidance and support as you create your own refined versions.
To conclude the day, participants will collaborate on a striking collective installation using the bouquets created earlier – a powerful, ephemeral artwork that celebrates connection, creativity, and shared experience. Susan’s thoughtful and emotive teaching style highlights the importance of slowing down, trusting your artistic voice, and creating work that brings genuine joy, rather than designing purely in response to client briefs.
Expect a day rich in inspiration, hands-on learning, and creative renewal. You’ll leave with elevated skills, a fresh perspective, and renewed confidence to take your floral work to an exciting new level.
Day 2, Tuesday 6th October
Contemporary Florals: Artful Bracelet Bouquets and Elevated Floral Jewellery with Passionflower Sue
Designed for florists ready to take their first steps into contemporary wearable floral design, this workshop explores innovative approaches to floral artistry, with a strong focus on creativity, intention, and attention to detail. Under Susan’s guidance, the day offers a supportive and inspiring environment in which to build both technical skill and artistic confidence.
The workshop begins with a series of Susan's signature bracelet bouquet demonstrations, showcasing three distinct armature methods. Susan will guide you through the mechanics, materials, and design considerations behind each approach, revealing how structure and freedom can work together to create striking, wearable floral forms. You will then put these techniques into practice, creating your own bracelet bouquets while receiving hands-on guidance and constructive feedback.
Susan will also demonstrate how to thoughtfully repurpose your bracelet bouquet into a headpiece, highlighting the versatility of contemporary floral design and encouraging a more considered, sustainable approach to creative work. This dual-purpose exercise illustrates how one design can evolve into multiple expressions, maximising both impact and material use.
After lunch, the focus shifts to the design and creation of sustainable floral jewellery, including bracelets and necklaces. This session explores scale, balance, and wearability, alongside practical techniques for working with delicate materials in a way that feels modern, intentional, and environmentally mindful.
Ideal for florists seeking to expand their skill set, build confidence, and gain practical insight into the creative and technical processes behind show-stopping floral work, this workshop offers a balance of structured learning and creative exploration.
Expect a day of hands-on making, collaborative creativity, and thoughtful design – leaving you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to approach contemporary wearable florals with curiosity, clarity, and purpose.
UK and NZ photographer Emily Rose Hamilton will be in attendance to capture both days in full, as well as personal portfolio shots for each attendee. A professional model will also be present, to allow for a full capture of all the intricate, wearable floral work that is created. Hi-res imagery from the days will be made available to all attendees following the event for use in their portfolios and on social media. A delicious British grazing table will be provided by local caterer Wild Fig for lunch on each day, and hot and cold refreshments will be available throughout.
What’s the venue like?
Minerva Vines is a place where heritage, artistry, and nature converge. Set against the rolling Bath countryside just five miles from the city centre, the estate offers a unique blend of English elegance and Mediterranean warmth.
The Orangery at Minerva Vines is a brand new, elegant and highly versatile glasshouse structure, nestled amongst the peace and tranquillity of a vineyard. The vast, bright space transitions seamlessly to an open-air setting via the connected terrace and offers a breath-taking setting for weddings, events and editorial shoots. Here, the vineyard is the centrepiece, framed by 360° views of rolling hills, the city of Bath in the distance, and an ancient woodland fort that crowns the horizon. This panorama offers a setting like no other, creating a natural stage for unforgettable moments.
How much do the workshops cost?
These are the prices for the two different workshops.
Day 1 – contemporary bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres - £750 per person
Day 2 – artful bracelet bouquets and elevated floral jewellery - £750 per person
Please note that all food and drink throughout the day – including teas, coffees, soft drinks and a delicious buffet lunch – is included in the ticket price.
How do I secure my place?
There are 20 spaces available for each workshop and tickets go live at 10am on Monday 19th January. You can book your place on your chosen day(s) by simply adding a ticket to your basket and paying your deposit at checkout.
Payments can be made in two parts; with a 25% deposit being paid now via the website and the remainder of the payment being taken via invoice in February.
You can read the full terms regarding payments, refunds and exchanges here
What else do I need to know?
All tuition, demonstration, flowers, foliage and sundries, (including your own GAIA vessel to take home!) will be provided for you, but we encourage you to bring your favourite pair of snips or secateurs.
Parking is available on site and we can happily provide you with directions from the nearest train station, if needed, as well as recommendations for accommodation.
If you have any further questions regarding the GAIA x PASSIONFLOWER SUE workshop, you can email us hello@gaiavessels.com or fill out our enquiry form here: https://gaiavessels.com/pages/contact-us