It takes many hands to pull off a great photo shoot and some of those hands involve other artisans whose products compliment our Boom pieces perfectly.  In our recent 'Island Life' collection shoot you may have noticed pieces from some of our Boom buddies like One Fine Sunday, Woven Palm, Flax Flowers, Vintage Glampervans, Akoia Swimwear, Bohemian Sundays and Knot Just Knots Macrame.

I thought it would be nice to introduce our Boom Community to a couple of the friendly faces behind these brands.

First up I chatted with the fabulous Amanda from Flax Flowers in Coolum. She's the creative angel who made the flower crown Demi wore in our 'Island Life' shoot.

Could you please tell our Boom Community a little about yourself?

I’m a native New Zealander from rural North Canterbury, South Island. I spent time living in different parts of NZ, including that beautiful Queenstown for 8 years, before moving to Melbourne, then the Sunshine Coast.

What inspired you to learn the art of floristry?

Lover of nature and beautiful things, and tired of hospitality, I attended a demonstration evening at an amazing florist store in Wellington (NZ) and the next day, looked myself into a full time floristry course. I have never looked back. 

Is there a favourite flower you love working with the most?

OH MY! Now that’s too hard.

Garden Roses, lily of the Valley, peonies, dahlias, lilac, ranunculus, bearded iris, hydrangea, violets… the list goes on!

What flower can you tell the Boom Community about that we may have never heard of?

Dogwood would be one for Queenslanders perhaps?! Similar looking to Crabapple Blossom - another one of my favourites!

Any other florist flower facts for us? 

Cut Hydrangeas drink from their heads, so you can dunk them head first in a bucket of water after you cut them, and they will last longer.

Wedding bouquets are considered to bring happiness and satisfaction in marriage, while the ribbon symbolises fellowship.

Burn the end of Poppy stems with a flame and this will make a cut poppy last longer. It keeps the sap from escaping, allowing the poppy to drink water.

Tussie-Mussie and Nosegays are small fragrant posies that were carried and worn in the Victorian Ages and the 15th Century to ward off the plague and foul smells in the street, as it was believed bad smells caused disease. Florence Nightingale was a believer.

Lastly, what does it mean to you to live a big, beautiful life?

For me FLOWERS, love, laughter, colour, kindness, dance, good food, good music, good fiends, nice smells, and of course Boom Shankar garments in my wardrobe ;)

Follow FLAX FLOWERS on Instagram or Facebook 

Next up is the beautiful Kim, from Woven Palm. She's the creative genius behind the slides Demi wore in our 'Island Life' collection.

Firstly, could you please tell our Boom Community a little about yourself?

My name’s Kim Bexon, I’m 37, I’m a wife to Thomas, mum to Arkie, a Japanese teacher at a local high school, I make leather slides, I love to surf and I’m a sucker for a good glass of Pinot noir.

What inspired you to start making sandals?

In 2014 when I was on maternity leave, I was introduced to a shoemaker who needed some assistance in the studio. We began working together and she taught me the craft. We primarily handmade enclosed shoes like Derbys and Oxfords. A year later she moved down south, so I branched out on my own and began Woven Palm.

I read you use mainly natural materials to make your sandals, do you have a favourite?

There’s nothing better to work with than Italian finished leather. Its finish is stunning and the leather ages beautifully. 

Is there any material you’d love to start using in your sandals you haven’t tried yet?

I’ve tried a few different materials over the last 7 years, but none of them really surpass leather.

I’ve just created The Sorrento with a soft velour upper which a super fun slide for summer, and I’m always open to trying new materials, but they have to be comfortable on my feet before I consider selling them. 

Which sandal/slide would you tell our Boom Community is a staple for summer?

The French Rosette is a favourite of mine at the moment, they’re so feminine and classic. I have to admit though, that The Sorrento will always be favourite. I wear them everyday, they’re my go to.

Lastly, what does it mean to you to live a big, beautiful life?

We only have one and I feel like it’s only recently that I’m beginning to understand how fast time actually flies. And to me that means, paying attention to the little things and making more time for things that really matter... Spending time with family and making time to play with Arkie. A quote by Matt Haig has stuck with me for some time now. It’s simple, elegant and so truthful.

“How to stop time: kiss.

How to travel in time: read.

How to escape time: music.

How to feel time: write.

How to release time: breathe.”

Follow WOVEN PALM on Instagram or Facebook

Be sure to check out all the other businesses who were involved too!

Ebb & Flow ~ thanks for being the best photographer Amelia!

Runamuk Visuals ~ thanks for having such a good eye behind the film lens Jake!

One Fine Sunday ~ thanks for those beautiful soft Turkish Towels!

Bohemian Sundays ~ thanks for the gorgeous beach umbrella!

Akoila Swimwear ~ thanks for the cute crocheted bikinis!

Knot Just Knots Macrame ~ thanks for the lovely crocheted teepee!

Vintage Glampervans ~ thanks for letting us use Fern, the cutest little glampervan ever!