Atmore Flower Shop Owner Joyce Petty knows a lot about floral design.

Petty used her knowledge and love of all things flowers to win first place in the design competition at the Florida State Florist Association Midseason Convention two weekends ago.

Petty, the owner of a local flower shop, has been in floral design for 24 years. This was the third year in a row that she took home the top prize, which included $100.

The competition included designing a piece of clothing with flowers included. Petty created a headpiece.

“It was a rhine stone head band with some decorative corals in the interior for decoration,” she said.

Petty said the headpiece also had deep and light lavender phanolphis orchids on it.

“We had to model our pieces,” she said.

Petty said it took her a few hours to make the headpiece.

“The program, every year, when we have it, whether it be the mid-season or regular convention in June, we always have a designed competition,” she said.

While at the convention, Petty learned from four different designers.

Additionally, Petty said she participated in three hands-on classes to do with certified floral design accreditation.

Petty has been a Florida State Master Designer since 2010, and is going to take steps to become a certified professional floral designer in the near future.

Petty got into flowers when she worked in the funeral business.

“It’s been something I love,” she said. “Every day, there’s something new about it. There’s not the same routine. Some days are wedding flowers, funeral flowers and special events.

“I like to stay up on education because it allows you to see new design styles that are out there,” she said. “That was my purpose of going to the convention and participating in it. The award just happened on the side.”