This week, we’re featuring Molly Ford — floral designer, artist, and creative rooted in community. Through her work, Molly captures the beauty of exaggerated nature, arranging blooms in ways that celebrate imperfection and joy. Her hands tell the story of her craft, scarred by floral shears, yet soft with purpose a reminder that creation and care go hand in hand.
Below, Molly shares reflections on rest, ritual, and the quiet strength behind her artistry.
https://flowersbyford.com/
Who or what do you hold close?
I hold my friends and family close, community is everything. I’m building a business that funds my lifestyle and making art that fuels me, but I’m also creating something that gives me the space to live the life I want. One full of gatherings, travel, slow mornings, and creative relationships.
What’s one callus or scar that tells a story about your work?
My hands are full of little scars from floral shears, they tell the story of my craft. I love looking down at my hands and seeing the hard work that has built my life. Hands always tell a story!
What’s your point?
Go into the world with kindness. Stay soft. Be open to changing your mind, and move with confidence. Life is too short for mean-spiritedness, bitterness, stubbornness, or self-consciousness, it’s a waste of time! Enjoy your life and know that you can make an impact. You belong in the room and at the table.
What role does rest play in your creative process?
Rest is an essential part of my creative process, it’s what keeps me grounded in who I am. It gives me space to reset, find inspiration, connect with my community, and take care of my body. That reset allows new creativity to flow.
What’s a ritual (big or small) that helps keep you grounded?
I love a slow morning, which is the opposite of what my job usually requires. When I can wake up with the sun, slowly drink my coffee by a burning candle, and spend hours reading a book, I feel grounded. It’s a luxury I don’t take for granted, especially when I can do it on an ordinary Tuesday or Thursday.
How has your relationship to your hands changed over time?
Someone once joked that I should get an insurance policy for my hands. Jokes aside, my entire company is built around what I can create with them. They are essential, and I’m so thankful for all they can do. They’re my tools, and I try to take care of them. Whenever I get a massage or go to acupuncture, I always ask for extra care for my hands.
What do you hope your work passes on to others?
The beauty of exaggerated nature! I take something that’s already stunning and arrange it in a way that highlights its natural beauty. I also hope my work communicates joy, peace, and passion to those who experience it. I want my life to be more than just what I do or what I create. I hope kindness, joy, and compassion are what others feel through me.