Stop in and smell the roses at Buckets n Blooms in Rockton

When Christina Krupa was attending college at Kishwaukee Community College, she decided to take a few flower-arranging classes just for fun. She took a keen interest in all things gardening, and it became a fun hobby that she relished.

While that hobby brought her a great deal of joy over the years, especially during the pandemic, she never imagined that it would (quite literally) blossom into a business. Buckets n Blooms opened on September 25, 2023, and is located at 647 S Blackhawk Blvd in Rockton, IL, near China Palace.

The Rockton resident moved from the Dekalb area with her husband and their children about five years ago. 

The journey to becoming our community’s local florist all began in May 2020. While everyone was stuck at home during a time of uncertainty and unhappiness, Christy was doing what brought her satisfaction: tending to her flower gardens. She had flower gardens carved out in her yard dedicated to growing, cutting, harvesting, and arranging. Knowing the delight her flowers brought her in such a trying and challenging time, Christy began to wonder if her joy could be shared with others. She wondered if she could actually make something out of this. Her husband’s thoughts on the matter were, “You should go for it!” That was all the support and encouragement she needed to begin growing her business. 

Christy says, “This was also how I got to know the community extremely well. My porch pick-up service during the days of no contact allowed neighbors to come and get flowers for themselves and others to enjoy.” 

Krupa prides herself on being a resource for houseplant care.

Floral arrangement grown and arranged by Krupa.

She continued this service and expanded her horticulture knowledge by becoming a Certified Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension program, where students learn any and everything that comes along with growing. 

“After completing the program and becoming certified, it becomes a volunteer organization. It's a way to give back to the community and to have fun doing it. We pick up projects in the community and there is continued education,” Christy explained. “I could now develop volunteer projects myself or join with other master gardeners.” 

She decided to do both. Christy worked in greenhouses and also worked in nursing homes, providing flower-growing classes and education to the residents. 

Flowers provided for floral-arranging.

She and another master gardener came up with their own program as well; they began a community garden during summer camp at Cornerstone Christian Academy, where Christy attended school from Kindergarten through eighth grade. The master gardeners taught children from ages two to twelve how to start a garden, how to tend to a garden, and what to do with it at the end. “It was amazing, we brought in bugs, kids were able to eat vegetables right off of the vine, and the attendance was unreal, so many kids were excited to learn the whole process and where their food comes from.”

As Christy’s skills evolved, so did her desire to continue to develop her business. She began attending local vendor events, hosting floral-arranging classes, and holding pop-up shops where she sold floral arrangements and houseplants. 

One of Buckets N Bloom's pop-up shop events.

Flower-arranging class hosted by Buckets n Blooms.

When the opportunity arose to set up shop at her new location, she knew it was time to dig her heels in the ground and go for it. Her new space is adorned with numerous lush and green houseplants, vases of colorful flowers, and a space dedicated to products from other local vendors. A huge cooler holds gorgeously arranged bouquets. A large table sits prominently in the center, where classes are to be held for floral arranging, private classes, and seasonal classes such as wreath-making and Christmas Buckets for your front stoop. She will service weddings, funerals, and special events, as well as provide a wide selection of flowers and plants available in her store. 

Krupa stands in her new shop and holds one of her flower arrangements.

Christy also intends to rent out her space to vendors who want to host their own classes to teach their personal skills or crafts. 

You can visit Bucket n Bloom’s website for more information and to view the photo gallery of amazing floral arrangements. To stay updated on upcoming events and classes, be sure you're following on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to take time to stop and smell the roses for yourself at Buckets n Blooms. 

Christina Krupa, owner of Buckets n Blooms smiles for the camera behind the counter of her new store.

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