Carolina Terrazas-Kreuch: Bringing Mexican Soul to Japanese Ikebana in Frankfurt

Born in Mexico and now based in Frankfurt, Carolina Terrazas-Kreuch (@carosblumen) is a floral designer/entrepreneur and Sogetsu ikebana student who delights in sharing her world of flowers with others. We first connected with Carolina through our growing international ikebana community, where we were blown away not only with her beautiful and natural arrangement style but also her warmth toward people. 

Her creative journey is rooted in a deep love for beauty, tradition, and storytelling shaped by the vibrant floral culture of her homeland and enriched by her embrace of Japanese ikebana. Whether she’s leading a workshop, creating an arrangement, or simply welcoming someone into her floral space, Carolina’s generosity of spirit and infectious enthusiasm make everyone feel instantly at home.

Tell us a little about yourself, your work, and how you were introduced to the world of flowers. 

My name is Carolina Terrazas-Kreuch. I’m Mexican, and although I worked for many years in logistics, my creative side was quietly calling me in a different direction.

I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics—fashion, interior design—and as a child, every weekend we bought flowers for our home. We had a small but beautiful garden, and in Mexico, flowers are deeply woven into daily life through traditions, celebrations, offerings, and rituals.

When I moved to Germany in 2012, I knew it was where I would root my dream—where Caro’s Blumen would grow, not just as a business, but as a path for personal and creative evolution.

Why do you love working with flowers?

Because I feel like I become one with them when I create—whether it’s a tiny vase arrangement or a large-scale installation. Flowers have been teaching me about resilience, silence, and surrender. When I work with them, I feel grounded and free at the same time—as if I’m translating emotion into form. They also constantly remind me of impermanence, and how beauty doesn’t need to last forever to be meaningful.

And through this industry, I’ve had the joy of meeting wonderful people and colleagues—kind, creative souls who inspire and support one another

What is the best advice you have received through your floral arrangement journey?

“Don’t rush.” But also: don’t stop creating, and never stop learning—from yourself, from others, from nature. That advice changed everything for me. In a fast-paced world, floral work invites us into presence. The way a stem curves, the way a bloom opens—none of that can be forced. When you slow down and truly see, that’s where the magic begins.

Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is: be constant. Consistency—in showing up, in practicing, in nurturing your creativity—is essential. Some days are full of inspiration, others are slower, but staying committed to your craft through all of it is what shapes you as an artist.

 

What inspired you to turn your passion for flowers into a business?
My father was an entrepreneur, and I grew up with that example—of building something with your own hands and heart.

After moving to Germany, floral design became something deeper—it gave me life. I began sharing my work with my German family and friends, and people started reaching out to ask for floral pieces. I followed that flow, with equal parts fear and love, and over time, it shaped itself into something real.

One turning point was attending my first floral workshop in Sweden in 2017 with Artist Françoise Weeks and learned Botanical Design. It changed my life. I met so many incredible designers from around the world—all with completely different backgrounds and floral journeys.

That experience gave me the courage to officially start Caro’s Blumen in Germany—and I haven’t looked back since.

Are there any artists who you look up to or who inspire you most?
I'm drawn to artists who blur boundaries and tell stories through flowers.

Donna Stain was my very first inspiration—her book was the first floral design book I ever bought, back in 2010 in Mexico, and I still treasure it to this day. I also deeply admire Studio Mondine and Hart Floral for their sensitivity, restraint, and unmistakable style.

When it comes to installations, I’m moved by the work of Ruby Mary Lennox—her approach is both bold and poetic, and I find it incredibly powerful.

In the world of Ikebana, I’ve learned so much from artists Marzena Joseph and Louise Worner—their wisdom and pure devotion to the craft are endlessly inspiring.

Currently, I’m studying at Flower Club International with floral artist Julia Rush, whose guidance continues to open new doors in my practice. It’s been a beautiful journey so far in 2025—I'm working through the Sogetsu textbooks toward my certification, and the experience has been deeply enriching on both a creative and personal level.

Where do you source your floral materials, vases & tools?
I buy most of my flowers, materials, and tools at the local flower market in Frankfurt—BGZ. It’s a vibrant place where I can find everything from classic staples to unexpected seasonal treasures.

There are also a few local growers who bring their beautiful flowers directly to the market—mostly seasonal and always inspiring.

I also love hunting for special vases at vintage markets, small shops, or while traveling—they often become part of the storytelling in my work.

How would you describe your style of floral art?

My work is emotional and textural, creating floral compositions  that feel alive—sometimes naturally wild, sometimes serene. I let the flowers guide the form, shaping a quiet story where every element has space to be seen and felt. Minimalism is a hallmark of my style, with clean lines, an effortless flow, and deep respect for seasonality. My approach is ethereal and romantic, emphasizing organic shapes and a balanced blend of elegance and rawness.

Do you have a favourite material or season?

I love working with textures, I have a particular interest on Mass & Line, one of my fav textures is Smoke tree, and spring flowers, starting from Sweat peas and Ranunculus Butterfly, however since I practice Ikebana I am devote to the seasons and I let the flowers of each season captivates me, each season has so much significance, it is a new beginning, new experiences, new aromas and flavours and that is why each flower, branch, plant etc has its own  moment of life in mine.

What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or wanting to study floral arrangement?

Stay curious and keep your hands in the flowers as much as you can. Technique matters, but your sensitivity is your true strength. Don’t rush to define your style—let it emerge through practice and feeling. Also, never stop looking at nature. That’s the best teacher.

Also this quote from Constance Spry says it all for me:

“Do what you please, follow your own star; be original if you want to be and don't if you don't want to be. Just be natural and light-hearted and pretty and simple and overflowing and general and baroque and bare and austere and stylized and wild and daring and conservative, and learn and learn and learn. Open your mind to every form of beauty.”

― Constance Spry

Do you have any good flower arranging secrets / tips to share?

I love working with chicken wire—it’s incredibly helpful for practicing arrangements of all sizes, from small table pieces to large-scale installations. It gives you flexibility and structure without relying on floral foam.

When it comes to composing a floral “recipe,” I usually start with one or two focal flowers, then add a contrasting texture or a flower with a strong gesture. I like to keep the selection simple, so each flower can breathe and be appreciated.

For me, the magic of a floral composition lies in how the flowers relate to each other—how their shapes, colors, and movements create harmony. That’s why I avoid using too many different types of flowers. Simplicity can be the most poetic.

What do you love the most about your flower career? What are your biggest strengths?

I love the intimacy of it—how personal each project feels. Whether I’m creating a delicate table piece or a large-scale installation, I’m telling a story. My strength lies in sensitivity and vision. I also really enjoy dreaming up concepts with clients, moodboarding, and bringing atmosphere to life through flowers. And I’ve discovered I really love teaching—it’s a beautiful exchange of energy.

What are the biggest challenges you face working with flowers as a job? 

Uff! I can tell you—I keep learning, sometimes even from the same type of experience again and again! One challenge that still gets me is the math behind flower calculations—it can be so tricky and time-consuming, and not the fun kind of creative work.

Then there’s the invisible side of the job: creating budgets, sourcing materials, managing timelines. And perhaps most challenging of all is communicating the true value of floral art. Some people still see flowers as just decoration, when in reality, they hold emotion, atmosphere, and experience.

Educating clients, protecting your creative time, and setting clear boundaries are essential—and ongoing—parts of the work. Behind the beauty, there’s a whole ecosystem that needs care and structure too.

 

For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in your city in a 24-hour visit?

• Palmengarten
• Stäedel Museum
• Bethmann Park
• Ottos Liebe Greenhouse outside Frankfurt is delightful

What is ahead in your flower future?

I’m drawn to creating more immersive experiences—workshops that go beyond florals to include ritual, food, movement, and storytelling. These gatherings are about connection, emotion, and beauty that engages all the senses.

I’m also working toward larger Ikebana-inspired installations and exploring collaborations with other artists across disciplines. These partnerships allow the floral work to live in new contexts—spaces where nature, art, and human experience intertwine.

Intimate weddings inspired by Ikebana are also close to my heart. I love crafting atmospheres that feel personal, thoughtful, and aligned with the season’s energy.

And perhaps most meaningfully, I’m sharing this floral journey with my daughters. Watching them observe, ask, and sometimes even join in reminds me why I do this work. It’s a quiet legacy, rooted in beauty and care

You are making so many beautiful Ikebana arrangements as part of the Ikebana Academy. What made you interested to study Ikebana and what are you enjoying the most about it?

I joined an Ikebana club in Frankfurt back in 2018, and I still remember how my teacher spoke about nature—with such closeness, reverence, and gratitude. Her words stayed with me. That experience planted a seed.

Ikebana, for me, is pure emotion and freedom. When I discovered the Philosophy of the Sogetsu school and the incredible work of Ikebana artist Marzena Joseph from London Flower School, I felt a deep pull. Then this year, joining Flower Club International gave me the final spark I needed to begin my certification journey.

I’m currently working through Textbook 2, and I’m loving every part of it—the creative challenges, and most of all, the sense of community. It’s an inspiring, interactive, and supportive space that has reignited my passion and deepened my relationship with nature and form.

You can follow her work on Instagram at @carosblumen or visit her website at www.carosblumen.com, where she shares moments of ikebana and nature-inspired design. 

Currently based in Frankfurt, Carolina is available for projects in Germany and beyond—including freelance floristry, ikebana commissions, creative collaborations, floral styling, installation support, and ceramic vessels for sale, hire, or commission. Working with her is as joyful as the flowers she creates, whether she’s teaching a class, delivering an arrangement, or collaborating on an installation. Her artistry is matched by the genuine warmth she brings to every encounter making each project feel personal, welcoming, and full of life.