Having a market stall is not new to me. Over the years with the many crafts and creative pursuits I’ve had, markets have been a place I go to share my products with a wider community. The beauty of markets has always been on the interactions made with others and the wide range of products available from other makers and artisans. They are always filled with so much inspiration and variety and it’s always a great way to observe the world around me too.

It’s also a succinct reminder of the history of markets and the importance they have within our communities. Markets of old were in central locations of cities and villages and provided connection, collaboration and community. It was an integral part of life and a way of selling produce, products and sharing skills to others. There was so much joy I felt in setting up my little mini shop, taking care to place everything in its precise position on the table, angling the table so that I wasn’t blocking access to the cafe and also making sure to be out of the sun, so the flowers were not getting too hot. Every movement was a joy and equally a responsibility.

There were many interactions with cafe patrons enjoying the sunny weekend but one topic that struck a chord was how the garden style floral anrrangements were reminiscent of a “Tussie Mussie.” What began as a conversation on Tussie Mussies and how this particular woman’s mother always had a simple glass jar filled with a range of flowers on her bedside table. It was a moment to pause and smell the flowers before going to sleep. It sparked a beautiful exchange about flowers, ritual and our daily routines and how important it is to find our own rituals in our day that give us moments to pause and enjoy the beauty all around us.

It also piqued my interest to research the history of “Tussie Mussies,” a little further. What I realised was that yes they were a small posy of flowers, herbs and foliage, but they were also a way to communicate, showing that they had their own language and meaning, depending on the types of flowers used. The flowers were also worn as a fashion accessory with small elaborate metal pins attached to them, which can be seen in historical artworks during the Victorian era. The most gorgeous part though was the symbology of flowers and that they were used to convey expressions of love, loss and friendship.

The name “Tussie Mussie,” may have dated back to an era where discretion and courtship had a lot of rules, but symbology of flowers was used and honoured in many eras prior, including Ancient Greece, Egypt, Persia and Japan. Flowers were used to symbolise gods and goddesses, in healing practises and as a form of ceremony and ritual.

Flowers have their own expressions and angles just like us and it makes me appreciate just how much joy they bring to our everyday lives. It’s also an opportunity to pause, reflect and enjoy the small moments and how a simple jar of flowers can have a full expression unto themselves. How beautiful it is to co-create a floral posy or jar of flowers knowing that each has its own, angle, expression and meaning. Maybe its an opportunity to be inspired to pick a few flowers for yourself and place them by your bedside and take a moment to enjoy their delicate petals, colour or shape within your space.

Conversations + Connections + Tussie Mussies.