You may have seen this collectible at consignment and thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets and even antique shops. Like most, you pick it up, look briefly at the bottom and set it back with no interest. The collectible is a good-looking, ceramic, keepsake from Teleflora and is often priced for less than $5.
In 1979, Stewart and Lynda Resnick purchased Teleflora, a floral wire delivery service. In 1982, Lynda introduced "Flowers in a Gift," a marketing idea that saw the flowers delivered in a keepsake container, which won her a marketing communications award.
Previous to this time, bouquets were delivered in a regular vase. A few of these glass pieces today have become collectibles primarily because of their cut-glass designs and shapes.
The Resnicks not only have their own crafty artists, but they also have teamed up with other designers such as Disney, Campbell’s Soup, Ford Motors and Susan Winget to produce teacups, teapots, mugs and candy dishes to be used as containers for fresh flowers and plants.
Some bouquet arrangements have also been accompanied with village pieces by a most distinguished licensed partner and artist Thomas Kinkade.
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Kathy Lafky, owner, collector and florist designer at Lewiston Bouquet & Gifts in Lewiston, has her flower shop packed with redesigned flea market finds, floral designs with artistic expressions and with vintage accents. Teleflora collectibles were just the answer for her small-town business.
"I started with Teleflora in 2004 in this quaint small-town flower shop because I thought it to be a stable existing company and a way for my local customers to reach loved ones and families in other areas," she said.
Sandy Stock, manager and lead floral designer at Sargent’s Floral & Gifts in Rochester, said, "We are proud members of the Teleflora network and have been for years. We are happy to help create the perfect arrangements using their collectibles and we also share with other floral shops the Teleflora collectibles. They are generally well-crafted and clearly marked as Teleflora, but not all are dated."
"I found the most items of interest are the teapots, teacups and the collectible Thomas Kinkade village pieces," Lafky said. "Teleflora comes out with a new Kinkade piece every year."
Of the Kinkade collection, Stock said the Thomas Kinkade price range on the collectible village piece is less than $13; with a floral arrangement, the price goes on up.
"Another nice collectible is a replica of the classic 1948 Ford F-1 pickup," Stock said. "Some of our other Teleflora collectible bouquets have been put together using pull toys, plush bears, porcelain dolls and Campbell’s soup mugs, to name a few."
At thrift shops, Lafky has found Teleflora collectibles that were out before she started with Teleflora.
"I found the Teleflora collectible strawberry and peach pottery teapot priced at $3 or less. Searching online, these teapots are selling up to $15," she said. "Disney containers can be worth as much as $60."
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Consignment and gift shop owner Rita Dasner of Nest in Lake City, said, "I have had several Teleflora teapots pass through the shop. One that was very unique was the morning glory teapot — the spout was a flower. I think we probably sold them for about $14. … I see a lot of Teleflora items in thrift shops, for under $6."
Teleflora items can not be found in antique and collectible price guides, and there seem to be no websites supporting these collectibles. However, Teleflora items can be found on various websites.
"The probability for Teleflora as a collectible would be greater if more people knew more about them and could find them in good condition," Lafky said.
