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Arielle Chapman, of Glasgow Flower and Gift, recently received her advanced floral design certificate from the Floral Design Institute, joining owner Peggy Aakre and coworker Jasmine Freuh who have also received their certificates.

Chapman's passion for her work is evident, a smile danced across her face as she worked on an arrangement, her blouse complemented by the yellow daisy in her hair. "Whenever I'm out and about," she laughed, "I have a flower on me somewhere, it seems."

The advanced training ensures Chapman, and Glasgow Flower and Gift, will be up to date on current trends in floral design. "This allows me to offer new and trending arrangments, corsages and boutonnieres for special events, proms, weddings. Even funeral styles change," she said. "The styles and colors are always changing."

"I've always wanted to do this," Chapman told the Courier. She said she grew up with her mom and nana in the garden and the flowerbeds, so her work with plants and flowers feels natural to her. "It's really important [work] to me because my nana passed away a few years ago," she explained. "This is a way I can keep her memory alive and with me."

She has been with Glasgow Flower and Gift for four and one/half years now, having moved here from the Bozeman area seven years ago. Even when not at work, she is growing and nurturing. She explains, "I'm big into plants at home, and my animals."

Chapman sees herself continuing on with her passion, her career. "I also want to work with more tropicals," she added. "That's another thing I'd like to do." She wants to keep Glasgow current with national trends in the floral world, ensuring Glasgow Flower and Gift can offer locals what they might find in more populated areas, while keeping business local.