Alyson Reynolds

The Artist

Alyson Reynolds makes flowers in cold porcelain and sugar: bridal bouquets, cake decorations and arrangements made to look as natural as the real thing. She set up Perfect Petals in 2002, is entirely self taught, and has taught and demonstrated across the UK, Scandinavia, Europe, Brazil and India, with exhibitions in Toronto, New York and Washington DC.

She now concentrates on teaching, from her home at The Yews in Kingston on Spey, near Fochabers, and from Langworth in Lincolnshire, and has written four step-by-step books: Autumn Glory, Down the Garden Path, Blooming Lovely! and Wild in the Garden.

The Challenge

Alyson’s students come from all over the world, and most of them find her online first. The website had to show the quality of her work in detail, sell her books without the cost of a full online shop, and make it easy to ask about a workshop, whether that’s a weekend at The Yews or a course abroad.

• Show the flowers properly, with big photos people can look at closely
• Sell the four books, with postage for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world
• Explain the workshops and how to book one
• Collect newsletter sign-ups without the spam
• Simple for Alyson to update herself

The Solution

I designed and built the site from scratch, with a soft, uncluttered look that keeps the attention on the flowers, and a content management system so Alyson can add photos and news herself.

• Six galleries with 165 photos, each opening full size: traditional and contemporary bouquets and cakes, workshops, students’ work, the Italian Cake Festival in Milan and a workshop in Novi Sad, Serbia
• A book shop with a PayPal button for each title and a choice of UK, European or international postage, so there’s no checkout to maintain
• Workshop pages, with a video introduction from Alyson on the About page
• A testimonials page in her students’ own words
• A newsletter sign-up protected against spam
• A menu that works on phones as well as computers

“It has been so refreshing to find someone who will listen to what I want, identify what I need and make me a website which I can work! I have been hugely impressed with the way in which Chris has translated and developed the ideas in my head and produced a clear, concise and user friendly website. The administration of updating and editing is no longer a nightmare thanks to the simplicity of the ‘content management system’ with changes being made instantly. Although only recently launched, I have had great feedback on the site and can truly recommend Colourjam and the professionalism within to work with you to meet your requirements.”

Alyson Reynolds

The outcome

Alyson has one place to send anyone who asks about her work: the galleries show what she makes, the books are a click away, and students can read what others thought before they book.

Updating it is her job now, not mine, which is exactly how she wanted it.

Screens from the site