Did you know UrnTray just celebrated a meaningful milestone? At the end of June, it was our fourth anniversary since our official launch in 2022! What started as a florist-designed solution has grown into a nationwide community of designers, educators, and creators.
These past few years have been especially full of movement, connection, and storytelling as we traveled across the country, taught at conventions, and reconnected with customers.
Traveling Across the Country to Teach and Connect
One of the highlights of this year has been traveling across the United States for conventions, workshops, and teaching opportunities. From industry events to hands-on demonstrations, we’ve had the chance to meet florists where they are, on the show floor and in classrooms.
Each stop reinforces the same thing: designers want tools that simplify mechanics without limiting creativity.
Reconnecting With Customers Along the Way
On our travels, we make it a point to reconnect with longtime UrnTray customers, sometimes detouring through states to stop and say hello. It's always a highlight of my trip to revisit some of my customers and see how they're doing. Plus, seeing UrnTray “in the wild” and the amazing floral designs created with our product are always some of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
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New Collaborations: The Paper Wreath Company + Ed Smith
This year brought exciting collaborations, including one with The Paper Wreath Company and designer Ed Smith of Country Lane Flowers.
Ed designed the arrangement for this breathtaking display, featuring wings made by Tabitha Turnbow of The Paper Wreath Company. Watch for it as the feature story in the July-August 2026 issue of the GLFA Magazine.
The result is a beautiful editorial showcasing how structure and artistry come together in floral design.
Celebrating 40 years and Finding New Customers in Florida
While celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in the Florida Keys, my husband and I unexpectedly met new florists and designers, discovering UrnTray for the first time. It was a reminder that inspiration and connection can happen anywhere, even on vacation!
My husband and I had an amazing time deep-sea fishing, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying the lovely sunsets. 40 years is a big milestone, and we were blessed to have such a remarkable trip to celebrate!
Anniversary Guessing Game Winner
To celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, we hosted a guessing game asking how long we had been married. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Congratulations to our winner, Kathy of Kathy's 2nd Chance Plants in Greenfield, WI! She received a special discount on some of our floral wreath platform trays for guessing correctly.
Celebrating Creativity: Our 2026 UrnTray Design Contest
One of the most rewarding parts of this year has been seeing the incredible talent of the floral community through our annual UrnTray Design Contest. Designers from across the country submitted beautiful, creative arrangements that showcased not only their artistic vision, but also the versatility of UrnTray.
Every entry reflected the passion, craftsmanship, and innovation that make the floral industry so special. Choosing the winners was no easy task, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who participated, voted, and shared their inspiring work.
🥇 Grand Prize Winner
Grand Prize Winner: by Lisa at Heaven Scent Florist, Havana IL
🥈 Runner-Up
Runner-Up: by Margaret at Southern Roots Flowers and Gifts in Priceville, AL
Congratulations to both of our winners, and thank you to every designer who entered this year's contest. Your creativity continues to inspire us and demonstrates the endless possibilities that can be achieved with UrnTray. We can't wait to see what you'll create next!
Looking Ahead
Four years in, UrnTray continues to grow through travel, teaching, collaboration, and community. At the core, the mission remains the same: helping florists design more efficiently and beautifully.
We’re grateful for every customer, collaborator, and designer who has been part of this journey. Your support means the world to us, and excited for what’s ahead!
Here’s to the next chapter!
— Rebecca Thompson, Founder and Fellow Designer