We were lucky to catch up with Cat Brimhall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cat, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
Originally, I started my dried floral design business, Westerwisp, in 2014 because I wanted to achieve a few personal goals. I wanted to be able to work from home and care for my daughter, born in 2013, while also being able to have an active lifestyle outside gardening in a creative career field related to the hospitality and wedding industry. I also wanted to carry on the story of my family lineage honoring relatives who had either been farmers or nursery workers in Europe. Starting a business or brand that I could pass on or enhance my community with related to plants was also a deep aspiration.
Westerwisp dried floral design features arrangements made with curated dried herbs, florals, foraged woodland greens, grains, farm raised heritage feathers and other wild, windswept and weathered botanicals. Pieces are always one of a kind and embrace the beauty in natural flaws and imperfections.
Westerwisp design champions permaculture gardening methods through the use of extremely drought-friendly, raised garden beds with a large focus on perennial and native herbs, flowers and shrubs. Locally grown florals from other area farms and growers and sustainable foraging are also part of the Westerwisp floral design palette.
Westerwisp is a very resourceful, low waste and creative floral brand designed with the intention of inspiring customers and connecting those who receive Westerwisp with nature and locally grown farmed heirloom produce and flowers. A grounding floral brand.
I hope that Westerwisp will inspire others to spend time outside in nature, to take the time to study the intricate micro-details of the native botanicals in one’s surroundings and to find ways to be more resourceful and creative.
Cat, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello, I’m Cat of Westerwisp. I’ve been working with dried flowers since 2014. Pacific Northwest Washingtonian born and raised. I grew up running around my family’s old country inspired flower gardens and apple trees and spent summers working for a small family dry farm selling beautiful heirloom vegetables.
With a deep love of naturalistic gardening and exploring the outdoors, and a tie to some old folklore roots, I created Westerwisp. Dried floral arrangements featuring a wild, almost overgrown garden swept and weathered aesthetic. Dried flowers, herbs, vegetables, mushrooms, feathers, wasp’s comb, antlers, branches, lichen…anything that might mirror the flaura and fauna of the Pacific Northwest.
After planting and leaving a floral, herb and vegetable garden on the mainland, I am currently in the process of carving in a new heritage garden in the San Juan Islands featuring water conscious raised beds. Most of the botanical varieties I like to work with are usually very drought tolerant, which is perfect for the drier island climate.
Dried florals are unique and alternative, yet classic and elegant at the same time. They will not bruise or wilt, do not require water, they are light weight and will survive shipping, travel, cold and hot weather. They have matte, velvet color palettes and photograph beautifully, as well as they look gorgeous on their own or mixed with fresh floral arrangements. Pieces are earthy and fragrant and often include botanicals such as roses, peonies, lavender, sage, eucalyptus and moss. Dried florals will last for a long time after a wedding as home décor or mementos displayed in a shadow box or cabinet. Their everlasting nature is also ideal for business installations or display work. Westerwisp does not use artificially dyed, bleached or factory flowers, but real florals grown from seed or locally sourced and hung to dry.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
In the beginning, when my daughter was very young, I primarily relied upon online advertising and small entrepreneurial themed websites to capture event work, such as Etsy.com, Pinterest and Instagram.
Now that my business is more established, connecting directly with vendors in the wedding and hospitality industry, such as at shared events, and trusted word-of-mouth has helped expand my clientele contacts.
I have also started designing floral installations for area businesses and galleries, as well as I will often deliver sample arrangements directly to area hotels and restaurants to inspire their customers as well as to build relationships with businesses who would enjoy enhancing the atmosphere of their establishment with an artisan, everlasting floral piece.
Also, being open to taking on varied dried floral projects. I welcome custom inquiries at my website, whether I am designing for a wedding, elopement, business or home mantel piece. I am flexible.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I want to create a dried floral design business that I can pass on to my family as well as enhance my area community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westerwisp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westerwisp
- Twitter: https://x.com/Westerwisp
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/westerwisp
Image Credits
All dried floral arrangement photos taken by designer Cat Brimhall
Photo of bride holding bouquet by photographer Justyna E Butler.