168 avsnitt • Längd: 30 min • Månadsvis
Design • Konst • Så gör man • Utbildning
The Evolution of Paper Talk…
Our journey began in 2017 when the Paper Talk community took root as a Facebook group, providing a safe haven for paper flower enthusiasts to connect, share knowledge, and find like-minded artists from all corners of the world. As the community flourished, so did our opportunities to expand and collaborate. The establishment of The Paper Florists Collective led to inspiring multi-day workshops in Seattle and Toronto, attracting makers from across the globe.
Soon after, our commitment to sharing knowledge grew even stronger, giving rise to a weekly podcast featuring leaders and artists from both within and beyond our community. Alongside this, we introduced online education programs like the Paper to Profits Program and Paper X Talk lecture series, dedicated to nurturing paper flower entrepreneurs. Our continuous growth prompted the natural evolution of our name, moving from The Paper Florists Collective to the unified identity of Paper Talk across all platforms.
As we step into 2023, we warmly welcome Sara as a new co-host alongside Quynh, while Jessie remains a cherished presence, offering occasional insights.
Throughout these changes, our unwavering mission remains steadfast: to foster creativity, connections, and growth as artists, makers, and entrepreneurs, united by the love for paper flowers. Join us as we continue to share ideas, stories, and inspire a vibrant community of creatives.
The podcast Paper Talk is created by Sara Kim of Handmade by Sara Kim, Quynh Nguyen of Pink and Posey and Jessie Chui of Crafted to Bloom. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Welcome back to another inspiring episode of Paper Talk! In Episode 168, we are thrilled to host the incredibly talented Paula Milner, also known as The Crafty Lass. Paula joins Quynh, Jessie, and Sara to discuss her creative journey, the transition from a corporate career to becoming a full-time artist, and her latest book, Simple Paper Flowers. Plus, we have an exciting giveaway where you can win a copy of Paula’s book!
In this episode, you'll hear about:
🎉 Giveaway Time! 🎉
Ready to add some floral flair to your craft space? We're giving away four copies of Paula Milner's beautiful book, Simple Paper Flowers! Whether you're a seasoned paper artist or just starting out, this book is packed with inspiration and easy-to-follow projects. Entering is easy—just visit our Instagram for all the details. Don't miss out on your chance to bloom with creativity! 🌸 #Giveaway #PaperTalkPodcast
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Here’s more on Paula Milner and her new book, Simple Paper Flowers:
Simple Paper Flowers teaches the reader how to make 25 gorgeous, unique and achievable paper flowers. From festive holly to delicate primroses and golden marigolds, these paper flowers are astonishing in how realistic they look and how versatile they are – they can be used in bouquets, buttonholes, garlands and in many other ways. Mainly constructed from floristry wire, crepe paper and card, few materials are required. They are perfect for beginners but will also attract experienced crafters who can put their own imprint on the finished make. The book has been included in the Highly Commended in the Creative Book Awards in the Best New Author category.
Paula Milner aka the Crafty Lass is a crafter and teacher and in her debut book she shares her love of paper flowers. This guide shows you how to turn flat paper – very quickly and simply – into something three-dimensional and joyous. Projects include: Poppy, Peony, Cosmos, Clematis, Japanese Anemone and French Marigold, and many more!
Paula has studied each flower construction to truly understand how they can be recreated in paper form – but without them being so hyper-realistic that they are complex and off-putting. They are simple, but they are not so ‘simple’ that they are just ‘easy’. These projects are meant to feel approachable but also rewarding.
Paper to Profit isn’t just an online course; it’s a transformative journey for creative entrepreneurs seeking to turn their passion into profit. In our latest episode of Paper Talk, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara reflect on the program's growth, sharing insights and personal experiences that have shaped its evolution.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Community
Launched in 2020, Paper to Profit quickly became a beacon for creatives navigating the complexities of running a business. The initial feedback was overwhelmingly positive, but the team knew there was room for growth. By 2021, the program had evolved into a 10-week mastermind, fostering deep connections, collaborative learning, and real-time business strategies.
Fast forward to 2025, and the third edition is here, streamlined into a dynamic 6-week program packed with new content, guest experts, and interactive sessions designed to maximize impact without overwhelming participants. The new format allows for greater flexibility while maintaining the depth of learning and support that Paper to Profit is known for.
Why Community Matters
One of the most powerful aspects of Paper to Profit is the sense of community it fosters. As Jessie aptly puts it, “Knowing that you’re not alone, that others share your challenges and goals, is incredibly empowering.” The mastermind groups are more than educational sessions; they're incubators for lifelong friendships, professional collaborations, and a support network that continues beyond the course.
Join Us on This Journey
If you’re ready to elevate your creative business, connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, and gain practical tools for success, Paper to Profit is for you. Enrolment is opening soon!
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Naomy Kim of Made by Naomy! Known for her stunning and intricate felt flowers, Naomy’s creations are celebrated for their lifelike textures, beautiful hand-dyed details, and artistic innovation.
Naomy shares her inspiring journey from crafting gifts for friends to establishing her felt flower business. She opens up about her unique creative process, the challenges of balancing family life and work, and the importance of valuing her art. Whether you’re a felt artist, paper florist, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration for your own artistic path.
What inspires you most about Naomy’s story? We’d love to hear your thoughts - share your insights with us on Instagram @papertalkpodcast or join our Facebook community discussions.
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe to Paper Talk wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara welcome a very special guest—Lauren V. Davis of Lauren Davis Creative. As Quynh’s mastermind coach and mentor, Lauren has been instrumental in helping her refine her personal brand and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Lauren shares her journey from running a vinyl record store to becoming a sought-after personal branding consultant and mastermind facilitator.
The Journey from Vinyl to Visibility
Lauren’s entrepreneurial path began at the age of 19 when she co-founded a vinyl record store during the 2008 recession. Navigating the challenges of running a business in tough economic times taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, marketing, and the art of storytelling. She realized early on that people connect with stories more than products, a principle that became the foundation of her personal branding consultancy.
Mastermind Magic: Why Community Matters
One of the standout themes in this episode is the transformative power of mastermind groups. Lauren describes these groups as spaces where entrepreneurs come together to support, challenge, and elevate each other. Unlike traditional networking, masterminds foster deep connections through structured brainstorming, accountability, and shared experiences. Quynh shares how being part of Lauren’s mastermind has helped her gain clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Lauren Davis is the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, a marketing and branding consultancy that helps speakers and entrepreneurs establish their memorable personal brands resulting in magnetic engagement and life-long clients. Learn more about Lauren by following her on Instagram, on her website, or listen to her on The Real Personal Branding Podcast.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on personal branding and mastermind groups! Have you found strategies that work for you? Share your insights with us on Instagram @papertalkpodcast or join our Facebook community discussions.
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe to Paper Talk wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Gina Arzola of Gina’s Paper Mountain to discuss her journey into the world of paper flowers. From discovering the art as a hobby to landing high-profile opportunities with the National Gallery of Art, Gina’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and growth.
Gina opens up about overcoming a life-changing injury that temporarily halted her ability to create and how she regained her confidence through determination and support. She also shares how she turned her passion into teaching, navigated her first television appearance, and tackled the logistics of creating 700 marigold kits for a major workshop.
This episode is packed with encouragement, practical advice, and heartwarming moments that every creative entrepreneur can learn from.
Have you faced a big creative challenge? How did you overcome it? Share your story in the comments or send us a DM—we’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little creative encouragement today. Be sure to join us on Instagram (@papertalkpodcast) or in our Facebook community group, and share your thoughts - DM us or comment with your favorite life hacks! You can also make a small donation on our website to help us keep producing great content like this!
In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh finds herself in the hot seat! She brings her questions about upgrading audio equipment and perfecting sound quality for her video recordings. With Jessie and Sara by her side, the conversation expands into insightful tips, personal experiences, and must-know tech hacks for creators looking to improve their content quality.
1. Finding the Right Mic Matters 🎙️
Quynh is exploring wireless and shotgun microphones to enhance her video tutorials. Sara shares her experience using RODE mics but highlights the challenges of keeping wireless mics charged. The takeaway? Invest in equipment, but focus equally on creating a quiet, sound-optimized space, even if that means recording in a closet!
2. Audio Quality Sets You Apart
High-quality audio can make or break your video. Quynh emphasizes that clean, professional sound grabs attention and sets you apart from competitors, especially in ASMR or educational content.
3. Instagram Insights: The Algorithm Decoded
Quynh shares insights from the Kajabi conference and breaks down what Instagram prioritizes:
4. Pinterest: A Creator’s Secret Weapon
Sara reveals Pinterest as a powerful tool for driving traffic. Even with minimal effort, it’s her second-highest traffic source. The takeaway? Repurpose your content, optimize your links, and don’t sleep on Pinterest!
5. Life-Changing Tech Hack: Use Handbrake 🖥️
Jessie drops the ultimate tech hack: Handbrake, a free video transcoder that compresses files without reducing quality. For creators juggling large video uploads, this is a game-changer for saving time and streamlining your workflow.
Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little creative encouragement today. Be sure to join us on Instagram (@papertalkpodcast) or in our Facebook community group, and share your thoughts - DM us or comment with your favorite life hacks! You can also make a small donation on our website to help us keep producing great content like this!
In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara discuss a topic that resonates deeply with many creatives: the importance of building a supportive community. Drawing from personal experiences and listener questions, they explore why community isn’t just “nice to have” but vital for growth, connection, and overcoming challenges.
More Than Techniques: Finding Your “People”
Jessie shares a touching story about meeting Susan White, a leader of Meadowlore, an online creative community. Unlike conventional mentorship or coaching groups, Meadowlore fosters a space where members can share struggles, reflect on their journeys, and find encouragement. As Jessie notes, many creatives already know what they need to do, but finding a community provides the emotional connection and self-insight to keep going.
Quynh emphasizes that being part of a community—even one outside your specific craft—pushes you to grow, offering both affirmation and constructive challenges. Whether you’re searching for accountability, inspiration, or just a sense of belonging, a supportive group can help move your creative needle forward.
Overcoming Isolation as Creatives
Sara, a self-described introvert, initially resisted the idea of community but now recognizes its power. “The confidence, encouragement, and inspiration you get—it widens everything,” she explains. Loneliness and self-doubt often plague creatives, but stepping out—whether it’s joining workshops, connecting online, or simply sharing space with others—can be transformative.
A Simple Start: Add One Person
Building a community begins with one connection. Whether it’s reaching out to someone at an event, like Quynh’s experience at Kajabi, or simply sending a message, every small effort matters. These relationships can evolve into lifelong support systems that inspire growth, creativity, and resilience.
Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little creative encouragement today.
Be sure to join us on Instagram (@papertalkpodcast) or in our Facebook community group, and share your thoughts - DM us or comment with your favorite life hacks! You can also make a small donation on our website to help us keep producing great content like this!
In this episode of Paper Talk, Jessie, Quynh, and Sara sit down with Chris Mitchell, a life, career and professional development coach for artists and creatives. Chris has helped numerous creatives, including Jessie herself, to refine their approach to productivity, work-life balance, and artistic growth. Her unique approach to coaching focuses on supporting artists and creative professionals at any stage in their careers. She emphasizes the importance of carving out dedicated time and space to reflect, strategize, and set aligned goals, whether clients are balancing multiple responsibilities or transitioning into new creative ventures. Unlike a mentor who might give direct advice, Chris acts as a guide, prompting her clients to tap into their own strengths and resources. Her coaching philosophy revolves around intention, encouraging creatives to apply the same level of thought and care to their day-to-day structure as they do in their craft.
Jessie shares her journey working with Chris, explaining how Chris’s six-week signature coaching program, “Building Your Creative Practice with Intention” offers creatives the tools to build habits that align their personal values with their professional goals, and ultimately helped her redefine what productivity looked like for her as an artist and a mother. Through structured support and personalized strategies, Jessie managed to implement a consistent start time, which transformed her work routine, making her days more intentional and effective.
If you’re an artist or creative professional struggling with productivity, focus, or balancing your many roles, be sure to listen to this Episode for inspiration and actionable tips! Chris’s insights remind us of the value of intention, the power of routine, and the importance of seeking guidance to unlock our creative potential.
Interested in learning more? You can learn more about Chris Mitchell by exploring her website or following her on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
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In this special bonus round of Paper Talk, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara dive into one of the most frequently asked questions from their community: “How do you effectively market yourself as a paper flower artist?” This episode features practical, actionable tips on building a personal brand, creating captivating content, and connecting with your audience authentically.
Marketing as an artist requires a blend of authenticity, creativity, and strategic prioritization. It’s about telling your story, connecting with others, and finding the platforms that work best for you. While the landscape can be daunting, starting somewhere, staying consistent, and making genuine connections can help any paper artist grow their brand successfully.
Have your own questions about how to market your work or grow your brand? Reach out and let us know!
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
In this episode of Paper Talk, we welcome back returning guest Janna Willoughby-Lohr, who shares her journey as both an artist and business owner. Janna, a mother of three, reflects on the changes and challenges she's faced since her last appearance in Episode 121, including navigating life as a parent while continuing to expand her paper art business. Janna offers insights into everything from taking a structured maternity leave to reinvesting in her team and scaling her business thoughtfully to allow more time with her family.
Tune in for an inspiring and educational episode packed with tips for managing an art-based business, the importance of self-advocacy, and a peek into Janna’s upcoming course designed to support artists looking to thrive professionally while staying true to their creative passions.
With over ten years in business and more than two decades honing her craft, Janna Willoughby-Lohr of Papercraft Miracles brings you everything you need to monetize your artwork and build a sustainable business in her new course, The Art of Business & The Business of Art. Dive into the course’s 21 Video Segments, 7 Lessons and Bonus Content, and 20+ Custom Resources and emerge with the confidence and tools you’ll need to run a successful art business of your own.
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Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
In Episode 158, we’re introducing something exciting for Season 7—Hot Seat Sessions! 🎉 This time, we’re putting the spotlight on our co-host, Sara Kim, as she opens up about the unique challenges she's faced throughout her 13-year journey as a business owner and artist.
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Sara’s candid discussion of her failures, successes, and ongoing learning process is a reminder that everyone starts from zero. Mastery is earned through time, trial, and dedication. For all artists and creatives out there, the encouragement is to keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep evolving.
Tune in to hear more about Sara's creative journey, and don't forget to let us know what you'd like to hear from us in future Hot Seat sessions! We’re excited to continue this season of growth, reflection, and connection with you all. 🌸
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
In our season premiere, we - Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim - welcome you to Season 7 of Paper Talk! With over five years and 150 episodes behind us, we reflect on the evolution of our journeys as artists and entrepreneurs. This season, we will dive into the theme of growth and resilience, sharing both the successes and mistakes that have shaped our careers.
This season, our conversations will focus on the theme of “The Secret to Your Success”, exploring topics like overcoming failures, growing a business, and navigating challenges as a creative entrepreneur. We are so excited for what this new season has to offer! Be sure to tune in for inspiring conversations, personal stories, and essential tips on how to find joy and connection through art and community.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to the season finale of the Paper Talk Podcast! As we wrap up this incredible season, we’re taking a moment to celebrate everything we've learned together and look ahead to the exciting future of our paper flower community. This season has been filled with inspiring stories, invaluable tips, and expert insights that have helped us all grow as artists and entrepreneurs. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support and enthusiasm throughout this journey.
In this special episode, we dive into some of the most impactful topics we've covered, from the power of workshops to enhance community connections, to upgrading your camera setup for professional-quality content, and leveraging Pinterest for business growth. These highlights are just a sneak peek of the rich content we’ve explored this season. Join us as we reflect on these key takeaways and get ready for more innovative and inspiring episodes to come. Let’s celebrate the end of this season with the same passion and creativity that define our amazing community.
Keep reading for a look at what you can expect from the full episode!
One of the standout themes this season has been the transformative power of workshops. We've learned that hosting and attending workshops can significantly boost our skills and connect us with like-minded individuals in the paper flower community. Workshops offer a hands-on, immersive experience that online tutorials simply can't match. They provide an opportunity to ask questions in real-time, receive personalized feedback, and gain new perspectives from both instructors and fellow participants.
Through our discussions, we’ve discovered that workshops do more than just teach new techniques; they foster a sense of community and belonging. By participating in these events, we build lasting relationships and expand our network, which can lead to exciting collaborations and opportunities. Whether you're looking to improve your craft or share your expertise by leading a workshop, embracing this powerful tool can take your paper flower journey to the next level. As we move forward, we’re excited to explore even more ways to bring our community together through these enriching experiences.
Throughout this season, we've delved into the importance of experimentation in our creative processes. Trying out new techniques and materials can be daunting, but it’s essential for growth and innovation. We’ve heard from several experts who shared their personal journeys of trial and error, emphasizing that mistakes often lead to unexpected breakthroughs and unique creations. Embracing experimentation allows us to push boundaries and discover new possibilities in paper flower making.
Experimentation isn’t just about technical skills; it’s also about finding your creative voice and style. By stepping out of our comfort zones and experimenting with different designs, colors, and materials, we can uncover what truly resonates with us as artists. This season has shown us that taking risks and exploring new ideas not only enriches our work but also keeps our passion for paper flowers alive and thriving. As we look forward to the next season, we’re excited to continue this journey of discovery and innovation, encouraging all of you to experiment boldly and share your unique creations with the world.
Another key takeaway from this season has been the incredible value of community in our artistic journeys. We've seen firsthand how connecting with fellow paper flower enthusiasts can provide us with not only inspiration but also support and encouragement. Throughout the episodes, we've featured numerous stories of artists who found their creative breakthroughs by engaging with others, sharing their experiences, and learning from one another. This season has reinforced the idea that we’re not alone in our creative endeavors—together, we can achieve so much more.
Community is about more than just sharing tips and techniques; it’s about building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging. By joining forums, participating in workshops, or simply engaging with us here at Paper Talk Podcast, we create a network of like-minded individuals who understand our passion and challenges. This collective support system is invaluable, offering us motivation and a wealth of knowledge. As we celebrate the end of this season, we’re reminded of the strength we find in community and look forward to continuing to grow and connect with all of you in the future.
As we wrap up this season of the Paper Talk Podcast, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for joining us on this incredible journey. Each episode has been a celebration of creativity, learning, and the unyielding passion for paper flowers that unites us all. We've delved into the stories of talented artists, uncovered valuable techniques, and built a community that thrives on support and shared inspiration.
Looking ahead, we're excited about the future and the many more stories, techniques, and connections we will explore together. This season finale isn't just an end; it's a launching pad for new ideas and projects that we can't wait to share with you. Stay tuned, stay creative, and keep blooming with us at Paper Talk Podcast. Thank you for being a part of our community, and here's to many more seasons of creativity and connection!
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to an exciting new episode of the Paper Talk Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the world of workshop management, where we'll uncover the keys to success alongside our regular hosts, Quynh and Sara, as well as our returning host, Jessie. Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or just starting your journey, we're here to equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to elevate your workshop game and create unforgettable experiences for your participants.
In this dynamic conversation, we'll explore the essential elements of hosting successful workshops, from crafting a professional web presence to navigating pricing strategies and fostering inclusivity. Join us as we embark on a journey filled with practical tips, actionable advice, and inspiring stories that will empower you to take your workshops to the next level. Let's unlock the secrets to success together and make every workshop an enriching and memorable experience for all involved.
Here is a peek at some of the takeaways you can uncover when you tune in.
In our insightful conversation, Sara highlights the paramount importance of establishing a professional web presence when it comes to effectively promoting workshops. While social media platforms like Instagram can offer visibility, they often come with limitations. We delve into the reasons why relying solely on social media might not be sufficient for reaching your target audience. Instead, we explore the benefits of investing in a centralized website that serves as a hub for all your workshop-related content.
Having a dedicated website not only provides a more comprehensive platform for showcasing your workshops but also allows you to maintain full control over your branding and messaging. We discuss how a well-designed website can instill trust in potential participants, presenting your workshops in a polished and credible light. From seamless navigation to compelling visuals and informative content, we uncover the key elements that contribute to building trust and enhancing conversion rates. Join us as we explore practical strategies for creating a professional web presence that sets the stage for workshop success.
In the episode, we emphasize the significance of fostering meaningful connections with workshop participants beyond the digital realm. While online interactions undoubtedly play a crucial role in promoting workshops, we delve into why genuine human connections are equally essential for long-term success. By prioritizing personal engagement, workshop organizers can cultivate a sense of community and belonging among participants, fostering loyalty and repeat attendance.
We explore the various ways in which workshop organizers can nurture authentic connections, from hosting in-person meetups and networking events to incorporating interactive elements into virtual sessions. By creating opportunities for participants to connect with each other and with workshop facilitators on a deeper level, organizers can elevate the overall workshop experience and differentiate themselves from competitors.Learn how to build lasting relationships that extend far beyond the confines of a single workshop session.
When you listen to the episode, you’ll understand the importance of cultivating expertise and authority within a niche to stand out in the crowded workshop market. We explore how establishing oneself as an industry leader not only attracts participants but also instills confidence in their decision to invest time and resources in attending workshops. By sharing valuable insights, practical tips, and thought-provoking content, workshop facilitators can position themselves as trusted mentors and guides, earning the respect and admiration of their target audience.
Discover the strategies we recommend for building authority, from consistently delivering high-quality content through blogs, podcasts, or social media channels to leveraging speaking opportunities and guest appearances. We delve into the power of networking with other experts in the field, collaborating on projects, and seeking endorsements or testimonials from satisfied participants. Explore how to establish credibility, enhance visibility, and ultimately become the go-to authority in your workshop niche.
As we wrap up our preview of this enlightening episode, we're reminded of the wealth of knowledge and insights awaiting listeners. Crafting a professional web presence, embracing strategic marketing techniques, and cultivating expertise and authority are just a few of the key takeaways discussed. Whether you're a seasoned workshop facilitator looking to elevate your offerings or someone just starting out in the industry, there's something valuable for everyone in this conversation.
Tune in to the full episode on Paper Talk Podcast to delve deeper. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your workshop promotion strategies and take your facilitation skills to new heights.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to Paper Talk Podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of art business and entrepreneurship. In our latest episode, we're excited to share insights gleaned from our conversation with May Ling Chen who has mastered the art of success in the competitive art market. Join us as we uncover valuable strategies for overcoming challenges, adapting to market trends, and ultimately thriving as artists and art business owners.
In this blog post, we'll provide a sneak peek into the episode, but you’ll have to listen to unlock all of the amazing knowledge May Ling shared with us. So, whether you're an aspiring artist looking to turn your passion into profit or a seasoned entrepreneur seeking fresh ideas to elevate your art business, we invite you to tune in and discover the secrets to success in the art world. Let's dive in and unlock the inspiration waiting for you in our latest episode of Paper Talk Podcast.
In our conversation with May Ling, she shed light on the transformative power of diversifying products and services to expand your creative business. Since relocating last October, May Ling has embraced a myriad of opportunities beyond teaching and hosting events. She shared how she seized the chance to exhibit and sell her floral creations at Sutaya Bookstore, a renowned Japanese chain. This collaboration not only provided a platform to showcase her work but also opened doors to new revenue streams and partnerships. By venturing into this realm, May Ling effectively broadened her scope of offerings, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability essential for entrepreneurial success.
Furthermore, May Ling's strategic approach to leveraging seasonal themes, such as Parents Day, exemplifies the importance of aligning product offerings with market demand. Recognizing the bookstore's changing exhibits and the thematic relevance of flowers during this period, she capitalized on the opportunity to introduce her floral arrangements to a wider audience. This proactive mindset not only maximizes exposure but also enables entrepreneurs to capitalize on emerging trends and consumer preferences. By diversifying her portfolio to include floral art alongside her teaching services, May Ling positioned herself as a multifaceted creative professional capable of catering to diverse customer needs.
Moreover, May Ling's decision to test the waters of selling flowers through consignment aligns with the principle of risk mitigation and market validation. By partnering with Sutaya Bookstore, she mitigated the logistical challenges of shipping while gauging consumer interest and generating awareness for her new venture. This incremental approach allows entrepreneurs to assess market demand, refine their offerings, and build credibility within their niche gradually. May Ling's journey underscores the importance of strategic experimentation and adaptability in navigating the dynamic landscape of creative entrepreneurship. For more insights on diversifying products and services and unleashing your creative potential, tune in to the full episode of our podcast.
One of the recurring challenges faced by creatives is finding the delicate balance between profitability and affordability for their customers. May Ling offered invaluable insights into navigating these pricing conundrums and finding strategies tailored to individual business models.
May Ling's journey underscores the importance of strategic pricing in building a sustainable creative business. Reflecting on her experiences, she shared how she adapted her pricing strategies to accommodate the evolving demands of her clientele. From crafting bespoke floral arrangements to offering workshops and events, May Ling emphasized the significance of aligning pricing with the value perceived by customers. By striking this delicate balance, she not only ensures profitability but also fosters long-term relationships with her audience, driving repeat business and referrals.
May Ling's approach to pricing extends beyond monetary considerations to encompass the intrinsic value of her offerings. In the episode, she highlighted the importance of transparency and communication in articulating the unique value proposition of her products and services. By demystifying the pricing process and elucidating the craftsmanship behind her creations, May Ling fosters a deeper appreciation among her customers, empowering them to make informed purchasing decisions. This customer-centric approach not only enhances trust and loyalty but also enables entrepreneurs to command premium prices for their work.
At Paper Talk Podcast, we understand the pivotal role that community and collaboration play in the journey of every creative entrepreneur. Our enlightening conversation with May Ling delved into the transformative power of building a supportive network and forging meaningful collaborations within the art industry. May Ling's experiences underscore the profound impact of community engagement on business growth and personal development.
Throughout the episode, May Ling shared inspiring anecdotes that illuminate the synergistic nature of collaborative endeavors in the creative realm. From participating in exhibitions to partnering with local businesses, she demonstrated how strategic collaborations can amplify exposure and open new avenues for artistic expression. By leveraging the collective strengths and resources of like-minded individuals, May Ling exemplifies how collaboration fosters innovation and propels creative ventures to new heights.
Our discussion with May Ling delved into the intrinsic value of community building as a cornerstone of sustainable entrepreneurship. Drawing from her own journey, she emphasized the importance of cultivating authentic connections with fellow artists, enthusiasts, and industry stakeholders. By actively engaging with her audience through workshops, events, and social media, May Ling cultivates a vibrant community around her brand, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among her supporters. Aspiring entrepreneurs should follow suit, embracing community building as a catalyst for growth and resilience in the ever-evolving creative landscape.
In conclusion, our conversation with May Ling serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of diversification, strategic pricing, and community engagement in the realm of creative entrepreneurship. As we navigate the intricacies of the art industry, we invite listeners to glean insights from May Ling's journey and embark on their own path towards success. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper dive into the dynamic world of creative ventures, and discover firsthand the strategies and stories that fuel innovation and creativity in the digital age.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome back to Paper Talk Podcast! In this episode, we're thrilled to bring you an engaging conversation between your hosts, Sara and Quynh. Join us as we answer some of our frequently asked questions. We share our insights, experiences, and perspectives on navigating the creative landscape and forging paths of innovation and collaboration.
As we delve into the discussion, listeners are invited into a dynamic exchange that explores the intersection of art and business. From the intricacies of creative collaboration to the challenges and opportunities of cross-border creativity, our conversation offers a rich tapestry of insights that illuminate the multifaceted nature of the creative process.
Listen now to learn all this and more. Here’s a peek of what you’ll discover.
In this episode, we dive into the incredible potential of collaboration in the creative process. We're passionate about how collaboration not only sparks innovation but also adds depth to the creative journey by bringing together diverse perspectives and talents. Sara shares her insights from collaborating with artists from various cultural backgrounds, highlighting how these partnerships have broadened her artistic horizons and given her a deeper understanding of global artistic trends. Quynh adds her perspective from the entrepreneurial side, showcasing how strategic partnerships have driven her ventures forward, opening doors to new markets and increasing her impact.
Join us as we navigate the nuances of effective collaboration, placing emphasis on communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision. Building an environment of trust and openness forms the bedrock of successful collaborations, empowering individuals to capitalize on their strengths and co-create meaningful work.
In this insightful episode, we delve into the critical role of testing and refining tutorials to ensure their effectiveness. We're passionate about the idea that tutorials should not only provide information but also empower learners to apply that knowledge successfully. Sara and Quynh share their experiences in crafting tutorials, stressing the importance of user feedback and iterative refinement. We highlight how testing different approaches and formats can enhance the learning experience, making it more engaging and accessible for diverse audiences.
Listen as we explore practical strategies for testing and refining tutorials, emphasizing the value of user-centered design and continuous improvement. By soliciting feedback, analyzing user behavior, and iterating based on insights gained, creators can tailor their tutorials to better meet the needs and preferences of their audience. This iterative process not only improves the effectiveness of tutorials but also fosters a culture of lifelong learning and innovation.
In the ever-evolving landscape of creative entrepreneurship, leveraging technology is key to staying ahead of the curve. In this episode, we shed light on how we harness technology to drive our entrepreneurial endeavors forward. From digital marketing strategies to e-commerce platforms, we discuss how technology has revolutionized the way we reach customers and scale their businesses. Sara emphasizes the power of social media in building a strong online presence and connecting with a global audience, while Quynh underscores the importance of data analytics in informing strategic business decisions.
Tune in as we explore the myriad ways in which technology empowers creative entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive in today's digital age. Whether it's leveraging AI for personalized customer experiences or utilizing blockchain for transparent supply chains, hear how embracing technology can unlock new opportunities and efficiencies. By embracing a mindset of continuous adaptation and embracing emerging technologies, creative entrepreneurs can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
As creative entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the challenges and opportunities that come with pursuing our passions in a rapidly changing landscape. By embracing collaboration, continuously refining our craft, and leveraging technology to our advantage, we can navigate these challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
We hope this episode has left you feeling inspired and empowered to embark on your own entrepreneurial journey. Remember, the path to success may be challenging, but with perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to embrace change, anything is possible. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and practical tips to help you thrive as a creative entrepreneur.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to Episode 152 of Paper Talk Podcast, where we explore the ever-evolving world of content creation in the digital age. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, content creation has become a cornerstone of success for businesses and entrepreneurs. Through this episode, we aim to shed light on the importance of crafting compelling content and provide actionable insights to help you elevate your digital presence.
We dive deep into the art of content creation, uncovering valuable strategies and techniques that creative business owners and artistic entrepreneurs can implement to captivate their audience. From the power of visual storytelling to the secrets of social media success and impactful content creation strategies, there's something here for everyone looking to make their mark in the digital realm.
Listen now to hear all of the details! Join us as we explore the dynamic world of content creation and unlock the secrets to crafting content that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful engagement.
Visual storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for brands to connect with their audience on a deeper level. As we emphasize in the episode, the use of compelling visuals can evoke emotions and convey brand stories in a way that resonates with viewers.
When you listen to the podcast, you’ll hear valuable tips and strategies for harnessing the power of visual storytelling. From the use of captivating imagery to the incorporation of videos and infographics, there are countless ways to leverage visuals to convey your brand's message effectively. For instance, incorporate user-generated content to add authenticity to your brand's narrative. By showcasing real-life experiences and testimonials, you can forge genuine connections with your audience and build trust over time.
In Episode 152, we also delve into the psychology behind visual storytelling, exploring how emotions and authenticity play a crucial role in engaging viewers. By infusing creativity and authenticity into your visual content, you can create meaningful connections with your audience and drive brand loyalty. Tune in to learn more about the art of visual storytelling and discover how you can leverage visuals to elevate your brand's digital presence.
Social media platforms have revolutionized the way brands connect with their audience, offering unparalleled opportunities for content distribution and brand building. In the episode, we uncover the secrets to social media success, sharing expert advice on leveraging different platforms effectively. From understanding platform algorithms to engaging with your audience authentically, there are countless strategies you can employ to maximize your social media presence.
On the podcast we share real-life examples and case studies of successful social media campaigns, offering valuable insights into what works and what doesn't in the world of social media marketing. For example, Sara shared: "Even if you're just selling your product, some kind of process video is always so fun to watch and to look at."
Join us as we uncover the secrets to social media success and learn how you can take your social media marketing efforts to the next level.
Creating impactful content requires more than just creativity; it demands a strategic approach and a deep understanding of your audience's needs and preferences. In Episode 152, we delve into various content creation strategies designed to leave a lasting impression on your audience. From storytelling frameworks to content repurposing and distribution tactics, there are countless ways to craft content that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful engagement.
On the podcast, we emphasize the importance of authenticity and originality in content creation, encouraging you to stay true to your brand's voice and values. By prioritizing authenticity and creativity, you can differentiate yourself in a crowded marketplace and forge meaningful connections with your audience. We share actionable tips and best practices for creating content that cuts through the noise and captures your audience's attention.
Moreover, we explore the concept of content repurposing and distribution, highlighting how you can maximize the impact of your content across different channels. From blog posts to podcasts and social media posts, there are countless ways to repurpose your content and reach new audiences. By diversifying your content strategy and experimenting with different formats, you can attract and engage audiences across various platforms. Tune in now to discover how you can create impactful content that resonates with your audience and drives results.
We encourage you to listen to the full episode for in-depth discussions and actionable tips that will inspire you to take your content creation efforts to the next level. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unlock the secrets of content creation and propel your brand to new heights.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
In today's digital landscape, social media platforms play a crucial role in connecting businesses with their audience. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok often steal the spotlight, there's one platform that holds immense potential for creative business owners and artistic entrepreneurs: Pinterest. In Episode 151 of Paper Talk, we sit down with Gisela Santos, the mastermind behind Love Bloom Social, to uncover the secrets of leveraging Pinterest to drive website traffic and engagement.
Tune in now to hear all of Gisela’s amazing expertise, but here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll learn when you listen to the full episode:
Pinterest stands out among social media platforms due to its unique approach to content discovery and sharing. Unlike platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where users primarily engage with real-time updates, Pinterest serves as a visual search engine where individuals discover and save content for future reference. As Gisela Santos explains in the episode, Pinterest is more than just a social network; it's a hub for inspiration and idea exploration. Gisela highlights how Pinterest users often turn to the platform to discover information and improve their crafts, making it an invaluable resource for creative business owners and artistic entrepreneurs.
Despite its potential to drive significant traffic and engagement, Pinterest has been overlooked by some businesses and creators. On the podcast, Gisela delves into the reasons behind this neglect, citing misconceptions about the platform's relevance and effectiveness. She emphasizes the importance of understanding Pinterest's unique dynamics and its role in the social media landscape.
Listen now so you can learn more about tapping into Pinterest's niche appeal and the diverse interests of its user base. You can unlock the vast potential for growth and brand visibility found on this underutilized platform.
In the episode, Gisela shares expert tips for optimizing Pinterest profiles and creating engaging content that resonates with the platform's audience. One key strategy she emphasizes is the importance of incorporating relevant keywords into pin titles, descriptions, and alt text. By doing so, businesses can improve their visibility in Pinterest search results and attract a wider audience interested in their products or services. Gisela also stresses the value of innovative content creation, urging businesses to think creatively and deliver content that stands out amidst the platform's visual landscape.
When you listen, you’ll hear Gisela’s account of achieving over a million views a month for one of her pins. Learn how she achieved this success and how you can use the same strategies to help your pins succeed. Highlighting success stories of personal accounts achieving remarkable growth through strategic Pinterest use further underscores the platform's potential as a powerful marketing tool.
One of the unique aspects of Pinterest that we discuss in the episode is the unique opportunity for businesses to foster long-term relationships with their audience. Unlike other social media platforms where content may have a fleeting lifespan, Pinterest pins have the potential for indefinite visibility and ongoing engagement. By consistently sharing valuable content and actively participating in the Pinterest community, businesses can cultivate trust and loyalty among their followers. This trust forms the foundation of sustainable growth, as loyal customers are more likely to advocate for and patronize businesses over time.
Leveraging this long-term trust and visibility is essential to building your creative brand. Nurturing a strong base of support is how you can turn one time customers into lifelong fans of your art. Be sure to listen to the episode to learn more about the unique way Pinterest can help you foster these relationships.
For creative business owners and artistic entrepreneurs, Pinterest holds untapped potential as a powerful marketing tool. By implementing expert strategies shared by Gisela Santos in Episode 151 of Paper Talk, businesses can unlock Pinterest's potential to drive website traffic, boost engagement, and expand their reach. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your online presence and grow your business with Pinterest. Tune in to the full episode now and start your Pinterest journey towards success!
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
By adopting these strategies and embracing Pinterest as a valuable marketing tool, creative business owners and artistic entrepreneurs can position themselves for success in the digital age. Don't underestimate the power of Pinterest – unlock its potential today and watch your business flourish.
Welcome to Paper Talk, where we unravel the mysteries behind the creative business world! If you've ever dreamt of turning your passion for crafting into a flourishing enterprise, you're in the right place.
In this sneak peek into our latest episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of artisan entrepreneurship. From pricing strategies that evolved from $1 paper flowers to valuing artist expertise, to uncovering the lucrative potential of creative niches like weddings and giant flower installations, our conversation is brimming with inspiration and invaluable insights.
So, if you're ready to unlock the doors to success, join us as we explore the fascinating world of artisan entrepreneurship. Let's dive in and discover the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that await on the path to crafting business success. Don't miss out—listen to the full episode on Paper Talk Podcast now!
In our latest episode, we delve into the intricate art of pricing strategies in the crafting business world. Sara's journey from selling $1 paper flowers to establishing a profitable crafting enterprise is a testament to the importance of pricing expertise. We explore how we both navigated the challenges of determining the value of handmade creations and the evolution of our pricing strategies over time.
From understanding the true costs of materials and labor to recognizing the value of artisan expertise, we share invaluable insights that every budding entrepreneur in the crafting industry can learn from. We uncover the delicate balance between setting prices that reflect the true worth of handmade goods and remaining competitive in the market.
In this episode, we discuss the common pitfalls many crafters face, such as undervaluing their time and expertise, and the importance of conducting thorough market research to stay competitive. Our candid insights shed light on the importance of adapting strategies to suit evolving market trends and customer demands.
From grappling with imposter syndrome to finding the confidence to price products according to their true value, we covered a lot of ground when it comes to navigating these common challenges in the small business world. Join us as we explore the strategies and mindset shifts necessary to thrive in the competitive world of crafting business.
One of the most compelling aspects of this episode is the emphasis on the power of community and support networks in the paper flower industry and creative industries beyond.
We explore the benefits of joining crafting communities both online and offline, where individuals can exchange ideas, seek advice, and find encouragement during challenging times. Our stories highlight the importance of building meaningful relationships within the crafting community, fostering a sense of belonging, and finding inspiration from fellow artisans.
Moreover, we delve into the significance of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have on crafting entrepreneurs. We reflect on the invaluable guidance received from mentors who helped us navigate the complexities of business growth.
By fostering a supportive community and seeking guidance from experienced mentors, aspiring crafting entrepreneurs can gain the confidence and knowledge needed to overcome obstacles and achieve success in their endeavors.
As we conclude this sneak peek into our latest episode, we invite you to join us on Paper Talk Podcast to explore the fascinating world of entrepreneurship.
From navigating the challenges of pricing strategies to finding inspiration in the supportive network of fellow crafters, our discussion exemplifies the transformative power of connections and collaboration within the crafting community. Whether you're a seasoned artisan or an aspiring entrepreneur, there's something to learn and gain from the experiences shared in each episode.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to the vibrant world of PaperTalk Podcast, where creativity blooms, and artistic journeys unfold. In this episode, we invite you to join us on an illuminating exploration into the realm of paper artistry and book publishing. Join Quynh and Sara, alongside artists Jessie Chui, Anna Chedid, Lucia Balcazar, Susan Beech, and Eileen Lim.
Through engaging conversations with our guests, we uncover a tapestry of insights, experiences, and invaluable advice. Prepare to be inspired as we delve into the passion-driven endeavors of our guests and glean firsthand knowledge from our publishing endeavors.
Tune in to hear all of this and more. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll discover:
The journey of artistic growth is a perpetual quest for knowledge and refinement. In the episode, our panelists emphasize the importance of continuous learning and receptivity to feedback in honing one's craft. Quynh's experience of working with an external editor sheds light on the value of seeking external perspectives to enhance the quality of creative output. Anna's advice to "do what makes you happy" underscores the intrinsic link between passion and artistic fulfillment, urging aspiring artists to stay true to their creative vision while embracing opportunities for growth and learning.
Creativity and entrepreneurship often go hand in hand, requiring artists to adapt to evolving trends and seize new opportunities. Jessie's pivot towards image-making and sculpture serves as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in artists. By exploring new mediums and avenues for expression, artists can stay relevant in a dynamic artistic landscape. As Jessie emphasizes in the episode, "Put yourself out there, meet different people... you never know what might happen."
Listen to the podcast to hear all about her journey, as well as tips for time management, navigating the balance between personal and entrepreneurial endeavors, and rekindling your passion for paper flowers amidst the many demands of our busy lives.
Venturing into the realm of publishing can be both exhilarating and daunting. Our guests offer valuable advice for aspiring authors, shedding light on the intricacies of the publishing process. From pitching book proposals to finding the right publisher, their experiences provide invaluable guidance for budding authors. As Susan aptly advises, "Leave no stone unturned," emphasizing the importance of perseverance and exploration in securing publishing deals.
In a crowded literary marketplace, identifying and accentuating one's unique selling points is paramount to success. By honing in on your distinct voice and artistic vision, you can carve out a niche for yourself in the competitive publishing landscape. Listen now to hear all about finding your unique place in the book world and more, like how to collaborate effectively with others to enhance the final version of your writing.
The journey of an artist is marked by constant evolution and adaptation. Our guests share their experiences of embracing change and continuously honing their craft. From Lucia's return to paper flower crafting after a hiatus to Jessie's exploration of new artistic avenues, their stories underscore the importance of flexibility and growth mindset in sustaining a thriving creative practice.
Collaboration and community play pivotal roles in fostering artistic growth and professional development. In the episode, our panelists emphasize the importance of networking, seeking feedback, and building meaningful relationships within the creative community. Quynh's advice to "start following [publishers] and comment on their photos" exemplifies the proactive approach needed to cultivate connections in the publishing industry. By nurturing a supportive network of peers, aspiring authors and artists can find encouragement, inspiration, and opportunities for collaboration on their creative journey.
In conclusion, our engaging conversation with talented artists and authors on the Paper Talk Podcast offers valuable insights into the multifaceted world of paper artistry and creative entrepreneurship. Through their experiences, we've discovered the importance of embracing change, managing time effectively, and cultivating a supportive network to fuel artistic growth. Whether you're a seasoned artist or an aspiring creator, there's much to learn from the diverse paths and perspectives shared by our guests.
We invite you to listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into their stories and glean inspiration for your own creative journey. Remember, the road to artistic success is often paved with continuous learning, adaptability, and collaboration. As you navigate your path as an artist or entrepreneur, may you find joy in the process and fulfillment in the pursuit of your creative endeavors.
Tune in to the Paper Talk Podcast to explore more fascinating conversations with artists, authors, and innovators shaping the world of paper artistry and beyond. Join us as we celebrate the boundless creativity and passion that enriches our lives and communities.
Welcome to the Paper Talk Podcast, your gateway to the captivating world of paper crafting. In our latest episode, join us as we delve into the heart of paper artistry, exploring the importance of experimentation, unveiling our must-have tools, and divulging our favorite sources for paper flower supplies.
Here’s quick look at what you can expect when you tune into the entire episode:
At the core of every successful paper artist's journey lies a spirit of experimentation. From exploring different types of paper to testing various cutting techniques, embracing experimentation is key to finding the tools and techniques that resonate with your unique artistic vision. In our conversation, Sara reflects on her experience, stating, "Yeah, it is harder to definitely manipulate shaping with cardstock paper. So that's always something that I'm working on." This sentiment highlights the ongoing process of discovery and innovation inherent in paper crafting.
We discuss the role of trial and error in our own artistic journeys, sharing stories of challenges, breakthroughs, and moments of inspiration. Whether you're a seasoned artisan or a curious beginner, we encourage you to fearlessly explore new avenues in your paper crafting endeavors, knowing that every experiment brings you one step closer to unlocking your creative potential.
In our quest for paper crafting perfection, certain tools have become indispensable companions in our creative pursuits. From precision wire cutters to trusty glue guns, we reveal the essential tools that form the backbone of our crafting arsenal.
For example, in the episode Quynh shares, "I've tried multiple [guillotine cutters] and I would say the plastic guillotine cutter is a no in my book." Her candid assessment highlights the importance of quality and reliability when choosing crafting tools. By investing in high-quality equipment, artisans can enhance efficiency, precision, and creativity in their projects, empowering them to bring their artistic visions to life with ease.
Listen now to hear all about scissors, glue guns, paper, and more!
No paper crafting journey is complete without access to high-quality supplies. In the episode, we lift the veil on some of our favorite sources for paper flower materials, guiding you through a world of specialty papers, floral wires, and embellishments.
We both reveal the best places to buy the most important part of our art: the paper! Being flexible with where you source your supplies is very important in the world of paper flowers. There isn’t just one store that holds every color, weight, tool, etc. that you might need on your creative journey. Stay open to new sourcing opportunities and constantly evolve to meet the demands of your craft. Be sure to tune in to learn about the many different places we use to find the best supplies for our art.
As passionate advocates for paper crafting, we're delighted to share our expertise and insights to inspire fellow enthusiasts on their creative journeys. Through the Paper Talk Podcast, we strive to foster a community of like-minded individuals who share a love for creativity, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of paper. Whether you're a seasoned artisan seeking fresh inspiration or a curious beginner eager to explore the world of paper crafting, our latest episode offers a treasure trove of knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice to fuel your passion for creativity. Join us and unlock the boundless possibilities of paper crafting today!
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to the Paper Talk Podcast! We're thrilled to dive into another exciting episode, where we'll be discussing all things floral with the wonderful Anne Long from the Dahlia House. Get ready to be captivated by Anne's passion for flower farming and her journey to creating a beautiful and welcoming space at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.
Tune in to the episode now so that you don’t miss a single moment. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll discover:
Anne's journey into the world of flowers began with a move from Missouri to Skagit Valley. It was here that she discovered her love for dahlias and eventually founded the Dahlia House. Anne's commitment to her community is evident in every bloom she nurtures, and it's no surprise that her farm has become a hub for fostering connections among flower enthusiasts.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Anne's journey is her dedication to community involvement. The Dahlia House isn't just a farm; it's a place where friendships blossom and bonds are forged over a shared love for flowers. Anne's commitment to her community is exemplified in the very name of her farm, which pays homage to the spirit of togetherness that defines her work. You’ll want to listen to the episode to hear the adorable story of how she named her business.
As excitement builds for the upcoming Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, Anne has been hard at work conceptualizing her booth and preparing to showcase the best of what the Dahlia House has to offer. From elegant arrangements to vibrant displays, visitors can expect to be dazzled by Anne's creativity and attention to detail.
Quynh will also be attending the show, and you can hear all about her and Anne’s plans for their booths when you listen to the full episode. You’ll get a fascinating behind the scenes look at what goes on for an exhibition this big.
The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is a must-attend event for flower enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest, and this year promises to be better than ever. From stunning garden displays to informative workshops, there's something for everyone to enjoy. If you're attending the show, be sure to check out some of the must-see exhibits and vendors, including the Dahlia House and Pink and Posey booths, of course!
As we wrap up this sneak peek into our conversation with Anne Long, we want to extend a heartfelt invitation to tune in to the full episode for even more insights and details. Whether you're a seasoned flower enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, we guarantee you'll be inspired by Anne's story.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Hello Paper Talk Podcast aficionados and creative entrepreneurs! Welcome to Episode 146, where we're about to unravel the secrets of upgrading your content creation game. If your small business journey has included becoming a podcaster, videographer, or photographer, this episode is your golden ticket.
Join us through the realm of equipment upgrades, including the specifics of gear that resonate with creative entrepreneurs, paper florists, and small business owners. As we step into the new year, this episode is tailor-made to elevate your content creation journey. Get ready for an exploration into cameras, backgrounds, lighting, and the often underestimated world of sound.
Listen now to learn all this and more. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find:
As we dive into Episode 146, we're spilling the tea on our recent gear upgrades, setting the tone for a year of elevated content creation. Your hosts, Quynh and Sara, have been on a mission to enhance the visual and auditory experience for our valued listeners and viewers.
Quynh talked about her recent transition to the Canon R 6 II mirrorless camera, and Sara takes us on her Sony A7C odyssey, bidding farewell to her Canon DSLR. Discover the reasons behind this bold switch and the tangible impact of these upgrades on our content creation.
It's not just about having the latest gadgets; it's about the palpable difference it makes in the final product. From sharper images to smoother videos, the quality upgrade translates to an immersive experience for our audience. Listen to hear more about when you should upgrade.
In the episode, we explore the nuances of various brands and models of cameras that shape our visual narratives. The wide range of features available on cameras can leave you feeling overwhelmed, but we talk through the features that we prefer most in our cameras to give you an inside view of what to look for when it comes to your needs.
One aspect of choosing a camera is understanding why colors matter and how they contribute to the storytelling process. Quynh shares her expertise on Canon's color tones and why it plays a crucial role in her decision-making process. Meanwhile, Sara offers a firsthand account of her experience with warmer tones on Canon, leading to her exploration of Sony's offerings. It's a riveting exploration of how color nuances can shape the visual identity of content creators.
Tune in as we navigate the labyrinth of camera choices, decode the features that set each brand apart, and understand the thought process behind our camera switch-ups.
Ever wondered why natural light is a game-changer in the world of content creation? In the episode, we break down the importance of leveraging natural light and optimizing your room setup for both photography and video projects. Learn how to use the sun's gentle glow to enhance your visuals, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that resonates with your audience.
You can also listen in on our lively discussion about backdrop choices, including the creative use of boards and fabric options. Uncover the secrets of manipulating shadows to add depth and dimension to your visuals. And learn how to play with different lighting setups to achieve the desired mood and ambiance in your visuals. Whether you're working with natural light or experimenting with artificial lighting, this segment is a treasure trove of tips to help you master the art of illumination.
Sound and microphones is a completely separate topic that we discuss on the podcast, including which equipment we use for recording this podcast.
Take these highlights as a starting point for your creative exploration. Experiment with your gear, embrace different camera styles, and fearlessly dive into the art of crafting visuals and soundscapes. Your unique perspective is your greatest asset, and we can't wait to see the masterpieces you create.
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome back, Paper Talk enthusiasts! As we embark on a new year filled with creative possibilities, we invite you to join us in the latest Paper Talk Podcast Episode 145. In this candid and insightful conversation we share our perspectives on navigating the intricacies of the creative realm in 2024.
Join us to delve into our approaches to the new year, exploring resolutions, to-do lists, and the delicate art of balancing creative endeavors with personal well-being. In this episode, you'll discover practical tips for mastering your to-do list, syncing tasks seamlessly, and embracing the ever-evolving tech landscape.
But that's not all—this episode serves as a teaser for what's to come! Get ready for an exciting sneak peek into an upcoming discussion where we discuss our favorite video recording equipment and share invaluable insights into media content creation.
Here is a sneak peek of what you’ll discover by listening now:
In this episode, we delve into the canvas of the new year, sharing our perspectives on resolutions, productivity hacks, and the tantalizing promise of tech talk in upcoming episodes.
One topic near and dear to our hearts is redefining the conventional notion of New Year’s resolutions. Instead of static promises, we embrace a dynamic approach—constantly evolving, improving, and honing our creative prowess. It's a refreshing take on personal and artistic growth that will hopefully leave you feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed.
Tune in for even more insights into how we reach our goals. From digital tools to synchronizing tasks seamlessly, we offer a glimpse into our organizational methods, providing valuable insights for anyone juggling multiple projects.
In this episode we share our seasoned tips on managing extensive to-do lists, exploring the delicate art of organization crucial for a well-balanced life.
Right now Quynh is balancing the creation of her book with the necessity of self-care. And that doesn’t cover the many, many other things on her to-do list. As you can probably relate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with a big project like that and neverending tasks always hovering in the background.
Listen to hear us unravel the intricate dance between prioritizing creative projects and safeguarding personal well-being. There is an art to juggling priorities and mastering the fine line between ambition and self-preservation, and our conversation will get you started on discovering how to do it yourself.
Navigating the labyrinth of technology can be overwhelming, but fear not! We share our insights on how to expertly navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape. Quynh provides invaluable advice on making informed choices amidst the myriad of options.
Discover practical tips on optimizing your existing tools before taking the plunge into equipment upgrades. We believe in working smart with what you have, and Quynh sheds light on the importance of understanding your current gear inside out.
Hungry for more tech wisdom? Stay tuned for an upcoming episode where Quynh and Sara spill the beans on their video recording equipment and spill their secrets on media content creation. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at the magic that brings Paper Talk to life. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss a byte of the tech talk!
Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to Paper Talk Podcast, where we uncover the stories, inspirations, and creative processes that breathe life into the beautiful world of paper flowers. In Episode 144, Jessie Chui joins us again to delve into the exciting world of exhibiting paper art and flowers. As one of the original founders of Paper Talk Podcast, Jessie always brings a treasure trove of insights to the show, and we’re so glad to have her back for this episode.
Listen now to hear Jessie, Quynh, and Sara discuss how paper flowers fit into the realm of fine art and how you can navigate exhibitions, commissions, and more. You won’t want to miss a minute, but you can get a sneak peek below.
Many paper florists in our community do not have a formal education in the arts. We face many challenges and triumphs that come with navigating the artistic landscape without the structured foundation of an art school education. Jessie's personal anecdotes provide a candid look into the hurdles she faced and the victories she celebrated, offering valuable insights for those charting their course outside the conventional art school trajectory.
One of the key takeaways of Episode 144 is the paramount role of mentors in an artist's journey. Jessie's experience highlights how finding the right mentors can be a transformative factor, providing guidance, encouragement, and a wealth of knowledge. The podcast underscores the importance of seeking mentorship, emphasizing that the art world is a rich tapestry woven with shared experiences and collective wisdom.
Listen to the podcast to hear how Jessie's story illustrates the profound impact of establishing connections within the art community. From fellow artists to curators and organizers, the power of networking becomes evident in creating opportunities, broadening horizons, and fostering a sense of belonging.
One of the foundational values of our podcast is building community, so it should be no surprise that this topic came up.
During the episode, Quynh brought up her experience working with Sarah Simon of The Mint Gardener, who has been a guest on the podcast before. As Quynh shared, “She actually commissioned me to make some paper flower pieces for her watercolor retreat. It was so much fun. She invited me to their after party after their three day retreat, and I actually talked to the students. They used my paper flowers as a model for their watercolor illustration.
It was so fascinating to see how they interpreted what I made.”
You can hear more about how this collaboration unfolded and how it helped Quynh grow as an artist and explore more options for her work. Listen to catch the entire story and learn how important community building is to us as artists.
We understand that the journey of an artist extends far beyond the creation of captivating pieces—it's a complex dance between creativity and the practicalities of sustaining an art career.
Jessie, a seasoned paper artist, generously opened up about her strategies for managing time effectively. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the art of juggling exhibit preparation, commission work, and teaching. We explored the nuanced approach Jessie takes to organize her schedule, prioritizing the creation of series for exhibits while still catering to the demands of teaching and commission projects.
The discussion delved into the unique challenges faced by artists, emphasizing the constant negotiation between the desire to create meaningful art and the necessity of earning a livelihood. It's a topic that resonates deeply with the artistic community, and at Paper Talk, we believe in addressing the multifaceted aspects of an artist's life.
We invite you to listen to the full episode and join us on this journey of exploration and inspiration. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a seasoned creator, or an art enthusiast, there's something for everyone in Episode 144.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Dive into the holiday spirit with Paper Talk Podcast's latest episode! Sara and Quynh share exciting updates, lessons, and upcoming projects, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about the art of paper crafting and building a thriving small business. Join us for valuable insights into the paper flower industry and spark your creative flame this festive season!
If you can’t listen right away, here are three fun takeaways to tide you over. Be sure to tune in to hear all of the details.
Listen to the episode to get a sneak peek into Quynh's upcoming paper flower book, slated for release in 2024. As we explored her anticipation, she shared, "I will have an opportunity to actually go in and videotape every single tutorial." This nuanced approach promises to bridge the gap between traditional instructional methods and a more immersive, visual learning experience. If you’ve learned from Quynh’s expertise and passion before, you know you’re in for a treat with this book.
We chatted about her visionary approach, envisioning the fusion of storytelling and paper flower art. Each delicate petal becomes a brushstroke in a unique tapestry of creativity, promising an immersive experience for artists and paper flower enthusiasts alike. We can’t wait to keep you posted with more updates!
As Quynh shared about some of her upcoming workshops and collaborations, we reflected on the amazing growth that our community has seen. Paper art is continuing to expand its horizons, reaching prestigious institutions and picturesque island retreats. For so many in our industry, profound passion has propelled small creative businesses into realms of blossoming success.
Listen to the episode to glean valuable insights into the strategies, challenges, and sheer dedication required to nurture a thriving paper flower community. Join us in discovering the secrets that have fueled our journeys and continue to shape the vibrant future of small creative businesses in the world of paper flowers.
As the year draws to a close, we took a step back to reflect on the joys, challenges, and transformative moments encountered on this unique podcasting journey. As Quynh expressed, "I think that's why I keep returning over and over to this...I just love sharing and talking to other people."
This podcast has meant a great deal to us, giving us a platform to connect with other artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives. We hope that you’ll continue to join us where conversations become connections and stories shape the narrative of the paper flower community. Paper Talk Podcast wouldn’t be the success it is without you our listeners!
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome back to the Paper Talk Podcast! We're thrilled to have you join us for Episode 142, where we'll dive into the exciting world of creative businesses and introduce you to an incredible opportunity for wedding entrepreneurs - the Tri-Mastermind.
In this episode, we're all about empowering creative entrepreneurs, especially those in the wedding industry. Our aim is to inspire and guide you towards achieving new heights in your business journey. We're excited to share a transformative program that can play a pivotal role in your success - the Tri-Mastermind.
Be sure to listen to the full episode to learn all about this exciting opportunity. In the meantime, here are some details to get you started.
Creative entrepreneurship is a thriving realm filled with endless possibilities. Whether you're a paper artist, a wedding planner, or a floral designer, this industry offers a unique canvas for your talents.
This unique program offers a collaborative and structured environment where you'll receive guidance, insights, and expertise from three industry leaders: Rebecca Grant, Alicia Schwede, and Paper Talk Podcast’s very own Quynh Nguyen. As they shared on the podcast, they know the joys and challenges of this journey. Their experiences have shaped their understanding of the industry and the need for a supportive community. Hear from them directly by listening to the episode!
While this world is full of opportunities, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From fierce competition to the ever-evolving demands of clients, navigating this industry isn't always a piece of cake. The Tri-Mastermind program can help you turn challenges into stepping stones.
Now, let's talk about the Tri-Mastermind - a game-changer for established wedding entrepreneurs who are ready to scale higher and grow their teams and businesses. Here's what you need to know:
Now, you might be wondering, "What makes the Tri-Mastermind stand out?" Here's what sets this program apart:
Guided Group: We understand that your time is precious. Tri-Mastermind offers guided discussions, actionable insights, and focused sessions that directly contribute to your success. No fluff, just results.
Building Relationships: We're more than just a group. We're a community of like-minded professionals who are invested in each other's growth. The connections you make here could last a lifetime and take your business to new heights.
Value of Investment: We know that genuine growth requires investment, both in yourself and your business. The financial commitment ensures you receive maximum value and tangible results.
Shared Wisdom: While our expert instructors bring their insights, this is a platform where everyone contributes. Your experiences, best practices, and advice add to the collective wisdom of the group, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.
Legitimate Value: We prioritize genuine value over unnecessary extras. Direct access to the minds in this group could lead to groundbreaking ideas and lucrative opportunities.
Positive Atmosphere: Leave the drama and negativity behind. The Tri-Mastermind is a space to uplift each other, learn, and support. It's all about fostering a positive and encouraging environment.
We highly recommend listening to the episode to get a better idea of what Tri-Mastermind entails. If you’re ready to elevate your wedding business and connect with a network of driven professionals, don't miss out on this transformative opportunity. The group will start meeting in January, so sign up now. It's time to invest in your success.
Have questions? Reach out to the team to discuss how the Tri-Mastermind can accelerate your wedding business's success.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
We're thrilled to dive into the vibrant world of paper flower workshops. Whether you're an established paper artist or a budding creative entrepreneur, this is your key to crafting unforgettable experiences that captivate your audience.
In Episode 141, we explored a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and techniques to make your paper art workshops stand out. With our first-hand experience, we'll guide you through the must-know aspects of planning and preparation, the power of branding and marketing, and the essential supplies that are vital for your workshops' success.
So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare to embark on a journey that will transform your paper art workshops from ordinary to extraordinary. Each section of this blog post is a sneak peek into the valuable insights we discussed in the episode. We encourage you to listen to the full episode for in-depth knowledge and expert advice.
Ready to discover how creating unforgettable workshop experiences can set you apart? Let's dive in!
In the realm of paper artistry, the journey towards success is paved with innovative and unforgettable workshop experiences. To make your mark in this competitive space, meticulous planning and preparation are your greatest allies.
In the episode, we delved into the significance of laying a solid foundation for your workshops. By carefully structuring your sessions, you can ensure they flow seamlessly and captivate your participants from start to finish. As we discussed on the show, this stage is where you truly set the stage for the magic to happen.
What sets a remarkable workshop apart from the rest? It's the ability to create an experience that is both unique and engaging. In our conversation, we explored the art of infusing creativity into every aspect of your workshop. Whether it's through the choice of themes, projects, or even the ambiance you create, every detail plays a vital role in making your workshop unforgettable.
We've merely scratched the surface here, so be sure to listen to the full episode for concrete tips on creating a unique workshop experience.
One of the key elements we explored in the episode is the role of consistent branding in setting your workshops apart. Your brand identity, from your logo to the color scheme you choose, plays a significant role in shaping the perception of your workshops. It's what makes your workshops instantly recognizable and memorable. We discussed how crafting a consistent brand identity helps your audience connect with your vision and builds trust over time.
As you probably know, social media is a powerful avenue for showcasing your creativity and branding. Creating Instagram-worthy moments in your workshops is crucial. As the episode reveals, these visually captivating moments are shareable, viral, and contribute to your brand's growth. A single captivating snapshot or video can lead to a cascade of social media buzz and interest.
Similarly, when it comes to reaching a broader audience, social media and word-of-mouth marketing are your most valuable assets. The effective use of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest can help you expand your reach. Additionally, satisfied participants can become your greatest advocates, spreading the word about your workshops. There's immense power in leveraging the voice of your happy attendees to attract new participants.
To unlock the true potential of your brand and marketing strategies, we encourage you to explore the complete Episode 141. There, you'll find a wealth of information waiting to help you stand out in the world of paper artistry.
During our conversation, we covered a range of essential supplies that you should consider for your workshops. These include top-quality paper in various textures and weights, an array of cutting tools, adhesive options, and an impressive assortment of embellishments. While this list isn't exhaustive, it provides a strong foundation upon which you can build your workshops.
There are also other kinds of supplies beyond what’s needed for creating paper flowers. We covered a range of things that will make your participants and hosts feel comfortable and valued. Building strong relationships with both is crucial to your long-term success as a workshop teacher. Listen to hear all about the often overlooked items that can elevate your class to something spectacular.
In the world of paper art, every piece tells a story, and so do your workshops. Creating unforgettable paper art experiences is your ticket to making lasting memories and expanding your reach as a creative entrepreneur. Listen now to Episode 141 to learn even more.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Welcome to another episode of Paper Talk Podcast! In this installment, we explore the intricate art of research and development. As passionate paper artists ourselves, we understand the significance of this creative journey in bringing stunning paper blooms to life.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the stages of research and development, where we unlock the secrets to crafting lifelike paper flowers that leave a lasting impression. From scaling and color development to adhesive choices and efficient time management, we'll uncover the techniques and insights shared by experts in the field. So, whether you're a budding paper artist or a seasoned enthusiast, we invite you to dive into this episode with us and discover the artistry behind crafting paper flowers that truly bloom with elegance and charm.
If you can’t tune in right away, here are a few takeaways that you can glean when you listen to the entire episode.
In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast, we delve into an exciting topic that has been on our minds lately—research and development in the realm of paper flower making. We've had the privilege of being approached by various customers and companies, all seeking the magic touch of paper flowers in their projects. Whether it's replicating different types of flowers, animals, insects, or any other intricate creations, the common question that arises is, "How do you even begin researching something you've never crafted before?"
Today, we're thrilled to share our insights and experiences on how we navigate the exciting world of research and development when creating paper flowers.
We realize that research and development in paper flower crafting is more than just a task; it's an art in itself. When we embark on a project, the first step is often understanding the subject matter, whether it's a delicate pansy or a vibrant peony.
Our research involves not only poring over reference images but also venturing into the world of botany and color theory. We carefully study the intricate details, colors, and proportions, seeking to replicate nature's wonders with precision. It's a process that demands both patience and creativity as we brainstorm ways to translate these natural marvels into paper form.
Color development is another fascinating aspect of our craft. We start with a blank canvas and transform it into the perfect shade to capture the essence of the flower we're crafting. Whether it's mixing watercolors, gouache, or experimenting with different mediums, our goal is to achieve the closest match to nature's palette.
Be sure to tune in to the full episode to learn how we tackle these challenges and others like adhesives.
An important aspect to finding the right mix of colors or papers is experimentation. The best way to make discoveries for your art is often diving in and trying something new. Will every experiment turn out? No. But some will, and those will make the failures worth the trouble.
Also keep in mind that inspiration can come from unexpected places. Looking outside the realm of paper flower making can help spark your creativity and push your experiments into realms that you might not have discovered otherwise. There are obvious sources of inspiration like fresh florists or watercolor experts. Push even further away and you might find even more—think cake decorators, sculptors, or textile artists.
Listen to the full episode to hear what we’ve learned from our experiments, like which coloring mediums or adhesives we’ve found to perform best for certain situations.
Experimenting is a fantastic way to learn new things about our artform, but getting expert help is an important source of knowledge that can save you time, money, and frustration.
One way we do this is through our workshops and tutorials. We love gathering fellow enthusiasts, both beginners and experienced artists, to share our techniques and insights. These workshops are not just about teaching; they're about building a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate the artistry of paper flowers.
But sharing goes beyond just technique. We also share the stories and inspiration behind our creations. Every paper flower tells a story, and we want to convey the emotion and thought that goes into each petal, each color choice, and each arrangement. It's a way of connecting with our audience on a deeper level.
In our commitment to sharing, we're always open to feedback and suggestions from our community. We see every comment, question, and message as an opportunity to grow and improve. Your input helps us refine our techniques, develop new ideas, and enhance the overall experience of paper flower crafting.
So, as we continue on our journey of creativity and exploration, we invite you to join us. Whether you're a fellow enthusiast, a curious beginner, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of paper flowers, we're thrilled to have you with us.
As we've shared our experiences and insights with you, we hope to ignite a spark of curiosity and creativity within you. Whether you're a seasoned paper flower enthusiast or someone new to this art form, we believe there's beauty and wonder waiting to be discovered in every fold, cut, and color choice.
We invite you to join us on this ongoing journey. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Creativity knows no bounds, and in the realm of paper flower artistry, it blooms in the hands of passionate creators who craft delicate blossoms from simple materials.
In episode 139 of the PaperTalk Podcast, we were so excited to chat with Anna Chedid, a talented artist whose intricate paper creations have captured the hearts of many. Anna's story is one of inspiration, innovation, and adaptability, making her a valuable source of insights for fellow paper florists and creative entrepreneurs alike.
Listen to the full episode to glean all of these insights and more. Here is a taste of what you’ll encounter when you tune in:
When it comes to the world of paper flower artistry, few stories are as inspiring as Anna's. In Episode 139, we had the privilege of delving into Anna's captivating journey from a background in fashion and event planning to becoming a prominent figure in the art of crafting exquisite paper blooms. Anna's story is a testament to the limitless possibilities that creativity can offer, and her insights provide valuable lessons for budding paper florists and creative entrepreneurs.
Anna's creative journey began with a fascination for fashion and events. As she revealed in the episode, "I really love fashion and I used to work with wedding events in Brazil and make bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. This is a great thing to do." This initial exposure to the world of design and aesthetics laid the foundation for her future endeavors. Her transition into paper flower artistry was driven by a desire to explore a new medium and express her artistic inclinations.
Anna's experience reflects the crossroads of creativity and artistry that many paper florists encounter. Her journey highlights the importance of embracing one's passions and exploring unconventional avenues. To unravel the full tapestry of Anna's journey and the valuable insights she shares, we encourage you to listen to the complete episode. Discover how her experiences can inspire your own creative pursuits and aspirations.
In the ever-evolving landscape of paper flower artistry, staying organized and efficient is paramount. Creativity thrives when you don’t have other aspects of your life cluttering up your mind.
Anna shared her invaluable insights into the innovative tools that have become indispensable for her creative journey. Notion, an all-in-one workspace, has been a game-changer for Anna and her partner, Bruno, as they manage their home and baby-related tasks. Anna explains, "We put things related to the house and related to Flora. Like foods that she already had, like common allergens. So we are organizing everything on that." Anna's use of Notion demonstrates how embracing technology can streamline your life and keep you on top of your game.
Listen to the episode to hear which other tools Anna uses and how she strikes a balance between digital and analog tools.
As a creative entrepreneur, Anna recognizes the importance of adaptability. In the episode, she candidly discusses her plans for the future, which include a potential return to the world of weddings and events or exploring more artistic directions. We know a shift in focus definitely resonates with many of our creative listeners.
Anna’s journey exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of embracing change and exploring new avenues for growth. In the episode, she emphasizes the significance of staying open to new ideas and continuously collecting data to fuel her creativity. Anna's ability to switch between research mode and hands-on creative mode serves as an excellent example of how creative entrepreneurs can thrive by maintaining a dynamic mindset.
To delve deeper into Anna's insights on innovative tools and adaptability in the realm of paper flower artistry and creative entrepreneurship, we encourage you to listen to the full episode on the PaperTalk Podcast. Anna's journey and wisdom offer a wealth of inspiration and practical advice for fellow artists and creative minds.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers.
Taking the leap from paper artist to workshop host can be daunting. Even if you’ve already hosted a paper flower workshop, you may still feel overwhelmed and unsure at how to best navigate this part of your creative business.
In this episode, we're excited to explore the intricacies of crafting an engaging and memorable paper flower workshop. If you've ever dreamed of sharing your paper crafting expertise with eager learners, this episode is tailor-made for you. From selecting captivating paper flower designs to mastering the art of instruction, we'll guide you through essential steps to create an enriching workshop experience.
You’ll glean all of these insights and more when you tune in to Episode 138. Here is a glimpse of the episode’s firsthand experiences, practical tips, and proven strategies for hosting successful paper flower workshops.
Imagine a room filled with enthusiastic participants, each engrossed in the process of crafting exquisite paper flowers. This vivid scenario exemplifies the power of a well-orchestrated workshop experience. It’s important to thoughtfully curate your workshop to ensure a memorable and captivating experience—but that’s easier said than done. In the episode, we put a spotlight on selecting paper flower designs that ignite the imagination and curiosity of your attendees. Whether you gravitate towards sophisticated roses or whimsical daisies, the episode delves into how your design choices can set the mood for the entire workshop.
However, it's not solely about the designs; ambiance plays an equally pivotal role. Creating an environment that fosters creativity and comfort is an artform. From meticulously choosing color palettes to optimizing lighting and arranging seating, every aspect contributes. And don’t worry, we also dive into strategies that transform your workshop space into an inspiring haven where ideas flow freely, and meaningful connections are forged.
By cultivating an engaging workshop experience, you're not just imparting skills – you're creating lasting memories that resonate with participants long after the workshop concludes.
Effective instruction thrives on clear communication. It's the cornerstone that transforms seemingly complex processes into a series of achievable steps. Teaching requires a different set of skills beyond artistry. So how can you master the art of instruction?
To begin with, you must recognize the diversity of participant skill levels. Not everyone will understand the basics of paper flower making. On the other hand, you don’t want seasoned artists to feel like they aren’t learning anything. You must break down each step into manageable components that can also give more experienced attendees room to grow.
Beyond this, your role as a workshop host extends beyond teaching–it encompasses facilitating a learning journey that's not just educational but enjoyable, fulfilling, and empowering.
If that sounds like a tall order, don’t panic. The more you teach, the better you will become at juggling all of these expectations. Be sure to listen to the episode where we delve into strategies that stimulate questions, nurture open dialogues, and foster a sense of community.
Having curated an exceptional workshop experience and honed your instructional finesse, the next pivotal step is effective promotion. Getting the word out about your workshop plays an integral role in driving participation and guaranteeing your success.
Thinking outside the box can set your workshop apart from the rest. If you can get creative with your outreach techniques, you’ll expand your workshop's reach. From collaborating with local businesses to organizing popup events, these strategies can capture the attention of a wider audience and infuse excitement into your workshop's promotion.
In the episode, we discuss how to use multiple avenues to reach your target audience of workshop participants. This includes how to amplify your visibility on social media, how to engage seasonal timing effectively, and how to provide a sneak peek that will encourage those on the fence to sign up for your workshop. When you listen, you’ll get a boost of confidence in how to successfully market your paper flower workshop.
Whether you're a seasoned workshop host or taking your first steps, the episode offers invaluable insights that will elevate your workshops to newfound heights and leave an indelible impression on participants. Listen now to learn all you can to host a successful paper flower workshop.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
We know that the journey of pursuing our artistic passions and building our small businesses is both exhilarating and demanding. In the midst of chasing deadlines, perfecting our art, and managing the daily intricacies of our creative ventures, happiness might sometimes take a backseat. But what if we told you that finding happiness and fulfillment can actually enhance our creative process and elevate our businesses?
That's why we're excited to share some invaluable insights with you from Episode 137 that touched upon a topic near and dear to our hearts: achieving lasting happiness as creative entrepreneurs. We've dived deep into the conversation with Dr. Ellen Wong, an expert on happiness. Quynh met Ellen at a mastermind conference and was impressed by her insights on happiness, prompting her to invite Ellen to the show. Ellen shares her personal journey of overcoming anxiety and depression and her quest to understand true happiness and its cultural aspects.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen:
Now, we won't give away all the details here—we want to encourage you to listen to the full episode to truly grasp the depth of these insights. But below you’ll find three key takeaways that can reshape how we approach our creative paths and entrepreneurial endeavors. Are you ready to discover the secrets to lasting happiness? Let's dive in!
In the fast-paced world of creative entrepreneurship, it's easy to get caught up in the external markers of success—revenue numbers, social media metrics, and industry recognition. Ellen encourages us to pause and reconsider what success really means. She challenges us to redefine success on our own terms, aligning it with our unique values and passions.
When you listen, you’ll hear an example of a certain paper flower artist who initially measured success solely by the number of orders she received. As her business grew, so did the pressure to meet higher demands. However, she realized that this path was leading her away from the joy of creating intricate paper art, which was her true passion. This realization prompted her to redefine her success by focusing on the quality of her artistry and the personal connections she forged with her clients. This shift not only brought her more fulfillment but also allowed her to create art that resonated deeply with her audience.
You’ll have to listen to the episode to find out who shared that story, but it’s a perfect reminder that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's not just about achieving predefined milestones; it's about creating a journey that aligns with our individual desires and aspirations. This means acknowledging that our version of success might differ from traditional norms, and that's perfectly okay. It's about embracing the freedom to define success in ways that resonate with our creative spirits.
In the midst of our entrepreneurial hustle, we often find ourselves caught in a cycle of chasing after goals without pausing to ask, "Is this truly making us happy?" The episode introduces us to the notion of contentment—finding genuine satisfaction in our present moments while still pursuing our aspirations. It's a powerful reminder that our pursuit of happiness shouldn't be postponed until we hit specific milestones, but rather integrated into our daily lives.
You may achieve impressive growth and recognition in our industry. But for many of us, the happiness that brings can be overshadowed by the constant pressure to achieve more. Contentment within the journey is key to avoid this pitfall. Embracing contentment doesn't mean abandoning our ambitions; it means infusing our journey with moments of joy and self-care. As creative entrepreneurs, our well-being is integral to the quality of our work. By learning from these stories and incorporating contentment into our daily lives, we can cultivate a healthier, more sustainable approach to our creative endeavors.
To uncover more insights and stories that exemplify the power of contentment, we invite you to tune into the full episode with Ellen. It's a conversation that may just inspire a transformative shift in how you approach your creative pursuits.
As creative entrepreneurs and small business owners, our journey is often marked by change and evolution. The episode delves into the concept of retirement, shedding light on how our identity and purpose might shift during this phase of life. It's not uncommon to hear stories of people experiencing a sense of emptiness or disconnection upon retiring, particularly if their identity had been closely tied to their career for decades.
A compelling example from Ellen is that of a couple who had devoted their lives to their careers, putting in long hours to provide for their family. However, as retirement approached, they realized that their deep connection had waned over the years due to their individual pursuits. The episode explores the importance of nurturing relationships and prioritizing communication throughout our journey, rather than relying solely on external factors to bring us happiness. By fostering connections with loved ones and being open to change, we can redefine retirement as a new chapter of growth and exploration.
This insight serves as a reminder that our journey as creative entrepreneurs is intertwined with personal growth, relationships, and change. By embracing the lessons shared in the episode, we can approach retirement and transitions with a fresh perspective, ensuring that our journey remains fulfilling and purposeful. To gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate these transitions and embrace change, we encourage you to listen to our conversation that offers valuable insights for both our personal and professional lives.
In a world often driven by external markers of success, Ellen’s insights serve as a compass guiding us toward a more fulfilling and purposeful path. Let's embark on this journey together, redefining our own version of success, nurturing contentment, and honoring our authentic selves. As creative entrepreneurs and paper artists, we have the unique opportunity to infuse our passion and creativity into every aspect of our lives, leading to a more balanced and joy-filled existence. So, don't miss out on the chance to delve into the full conversation. Your journey to happiness and fulfillment awaits—one intentional step at a time!
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.
Episode 136: Mastering Mass Production and Scaling Your Creative Business
Join us on Paper Talk as we explore the world of mass production, sharing essential tips for creative small business owners and paper artists like you.
As your business grows, you might find yourself in need of help. In this episode you can discover the significance of bulk orders in scaling your craft and boosting your business. From planning and logistics to packaging and shipping, we'll guide you through the process, ensuring quality and efficiency.
What you’ll learn when you listen to Episode 136:
Join us on this exciting journey of mastering mass production. Tune in to Episode 136 of Paper Talk Podcast, or take a peek below to get a taste of what you’ll learn.
Understanding the Importance of Mass Production
Mass production isn't just about making a large quantity of your exquisite paper creations; it's a strategic approach that can elevate your business to new heights. One of the most significant advantages of mass production is scalability. By streamlining your production process, you can efficiently produce a higher volume of products, allowing you to meet the demands of larger projects and corporate clients.
Imagine the potential when you can confidently say, "Yes, we can handle your grand event decoration" or "We can provide the paper flowers for your corporate convention." Mass production empowers you to take on such opportunities without feeling overwhelmed.
But like any endeavor, mass production comes with its initial challenges and common misconceptions. We have been there, and in the episode we share our insights about navigating this new frontier. From finding the right balance between quality and quantity to managing timelines and customer expectations, we’ve got you covered.
Navigating the Planning and Logistics of Mass Production
We know that when it comes to mass production, meticulous planning and efficient logistics are the keys to success. In the episode, we dove into expert methods of mentally mapping out timelines and designing due dates, which can be a game-changer for your paper art business.
Some advice from Quynh is to mentally map out the timeline you need and then backdate it to establish a design due date. This proactive approach allows you to set clear expectations with your clients from the start. In the episode, she shares how she communicates this effectively to her clients, ensuring that they understand the importance of timely decision-making to keep the project on track.
Setting clear expectations with clients is crucial in mass production to avoid last-minute decisions and delays that could throw off your entire schedule. On the podcast we discuss the power of communicating early on with clients about the importance of making timely decisions. This not only helps in avoiding project delays but also allows you to confidently plan your resources and team accordingly.
We chatted about much more, including pricing mass production projects, how to package and ship to avoid damage, who to ship with, and whether or not you should send a test model to clients for approval. You’ll want to tune in to the episode so that you can confidently take on larger projects, attract corporate clients, and provide exceptional paper artistry while efficiently meeting deadlines.
Ensuring Quality and Success in Mass Production
When it comes to mass production, maintaining quality is key to the success of your creative business. On the podcast we share essential tips and tricks to ensure top-notch results throughout the process.
One of the most crucial aspects of mass production is counting and organizing your creations. Listen now to hear u s talk about the art of counting and how it can make or break your project. We share personal experiences of double-checking and recounting paper flowers to ensure accuracy, emphasizing that even the slightest miscount can cause a significant setback.
Consistency is paramount in mass production, especially when working on a large number of pieces. In the episode we discuss the significance of maintaining the same level of quality across all your creations. Whether it's the size, shape, or color, ensuring uniformity in your paper flowers will leave a lasting impression on your clients and elevate your brand reputation. Listen for the full scoop on how to make sure this happens for your project.
“Yeah, I can actually do it because I've done it before. But I actually hired help for this really big project that I did. I showed them how to do it, and then I just gave one job at a time. It took three people doing it, and we're sending out thousands of flowers, three people doing it." - Quynh
In conclusion, mastering the art of mass production can revolutionize your paper flower business. The insights shared in this episode of the Paper Talk Podcast highlight the importance of planning, setting expectations, and accurately pricing your creations. Don't forget the significance of packaging and shipping to ensure client satisfaction. Counting, organizing, and maintaining consistent quality will set you up for success in every project.
As paper artists and creative entrepreneurs, we understand the challenges and rewards of this journey. Embrace the opportunities that mass production can bring to scale your business and attract corporate clients. With dedication and attention to detail, you'll be ready to take your craft to new heights.
For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community!
Welcome to the latest episode of Paper Talk Podcast! Today, we're excited to host the talented paper artist and creative entrepreneur, Poy T. Granoti of Summer Space Studio. Poy shared her valuable insights on navigating the ever-changing landscape of social media, the importance of branding for creative businesses, and harnessing the power of Pinterest to drive success.
Below you’ll find a sneak peek into our stimulating discussion. While we'll be sharing some helpful tips, we encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode for the complete conversation and to truly immerse yourself in Poy's expertise.
So, without further ado, let's explore the fascinating world of social media, branding, and Pinterest!
In today's digital age, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become integral to the success of creative entrepreneurs. However, navigating the ever-changing landscape of these platforms can often feel like a rollercoaster ride. We had the pleasure of discussing these challenges with the talented Poy.
Algorithm changes are one of the major hurdles that creators and artists face on social media. Poy shared her insights on the impact of these changes and how they can affect visibility and engagement. But fear not! Poy also offered valuable tips on how to maintain your sanity amidst these fluctuations.
One of the key takeaways from the episode was the importance of setting boundaries. It's easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of posting, commenting, and chasing algorithms. Poy reminded us of the significance of being present and taking breaks to avoid burnout. By creating a healthy balance between work and personal life, we can approach social media with a refreshed mindset and better focus on our creative endeavors.
Listen to the episode to hear more about the importance of adapting to new technologies like AI in marketing and how to stay ahead of the curve.
Branding plays a crucial role in the success of any creative business. On the podcast, we explored how showcasing personality alongside products can create a strong connection with your audience and set you apart in a crowded social media landscape.
When it comes to branding, it's not just about having a logo or a catchy tagline. It's about creating a consistent and authentic brand voice that resonates with your target audience. Poy shared her experiences and emphasized the power of injecting your personality into your brand. By letting your true self shine through, you can forge a deeper connection with your followers and create a loyal community.
During the podcast, Poy's genuine enthusiasm and personal touch stood out. Her presence on social media extends beyond showcasing her paper flowers. This approach has allowed her audience to feel like they knew her, creating a sense of familiarity and trust. By infusing her own unique personality into her brand, Poy effectively differentiated herself from competitors and built a devoted following.
We encourage you to reflect on your own brand voice and consider how you can infuse your personality into your business. What sets you apart? What makes your creative journey unique? By answering these questions, you can uncover your brand's authentic voice and use it to forge a genuine connection with your audience.
When it comes to visual discovery and reaching a broader audience, Pinterest emerges as an invaluable platform for creative businesses. We had an insightful conversation with Poy about harnessing the potential of Pinterest and maximizing its impact on your creative journey.
Pinterest offers a unique opportunity to showcase your work, gain inspiration, and drive traffic to your website or online store. To make the most of this platform, Poy emphasized the importance of conducting thorough keyword research. By understanding the search behavior of your target audience, you can optimize your content and increase its visibility.
Furthermore, Poy highlighted the significance of understanding the user journey on Pinterest. By creating boards that align with your category or niche, you can curate a collection of pins that appeal to your target audience. Additionally, Poy discussed the concept of an anchor board, which showcases your own products exclusively. Listen to the episode to hear her full explanation.
It's worth mentioning that Pinterest has recently made changes to its platform, including updates to its feature called Idea Pins. While these changes offer exciting possibilities for creators, we encourage you to listen to the podcast to gain a comprehensive understanding of these updates and how they can benefit your creative business.
In today's digital landscape, social media plays a pivotal role in the success of creative entrepreneurs. However, managing social media platforms can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to striking a balance between personal and promotional content.
When it comes to managing social media, each individual approaches it differently. In the episode, our hosts, Quynh and Sara, shared their personal strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship with social media. They emphasized the importance of being intentional and setting boundaries. Listen to learn how they were able to create a sense of balance and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
It's important to find your own balance between personal and promotional content on social media. While it's crucial to promote your products and offerings, injecting a personal touch and showcasing your unique personality can make a profound impact on your audience. Poy's success in incorporating her personality into her brand resonates with her followers, creating a strong connection beyond just the products she offers.
As paper florists, paper artists, and creative small business owners, it's essential to navigate the digital landscape with confidence. By implementing the insights and tips shared in this episode, we can develop strategies that help us find success and build a strong online presence. However, there's much more to uncover in the full conversation, so we highly encourage you to listen to Episode 135 of Paper Talk Podcast for a deeper dive into these topics.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this.
Let us know how you manage social media for paper flower business or if you still have questions!
We are thrilled to introduce our new co-host, Sara Kim of Handmade by Sara Kim. With her expertise in cardstock paper flowers and her passion for building successful small businesses, Sara brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussions on supporting creative entrepreneurs in the world of paper art and paper floristry.
In Episode 134, we invite you to join us in getting to know Sara and learn all about our exciting plans for the upcoming season. You'll also get a sneak peek into the upcoming projects from hosts Quynh Nguyen and Jessie Chui, including the changes in Jessie's role within the podcast.
If you're unable to listen to the episode right away, take a peek with these three important lessons that you can glean from Episode 134. These lessons are applicable whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, providing valuable insights to help you thrive in the world of paper artistry. Be sure to listen to the podcast for all of the important details.
In the vibrant world of paper floristry, connecting with like-minded individuals is essential for growth and inspiration. In Episode 134, we are excited to share our own experiences of forming strong bonds and building our creative community through the power of internet friendships.
We first met and connected on Instagram, where we recognized our shared passion for creativity and running successful businesses. It's incredible to witness the potential of online platforms in bringing together artists, paper florists, and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe. Through this virtual connection, we found not only friendship but also a source of motivation, support, and collaboration.
We can't emphasize enough the importance of internet friendships in the creative community. It offers a platform for artists from around the world to share their work, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. By connecting with fellow enthusiasts online, we can tap into a vast network of knowledge and experience, breaking through geographical barriers and finding a sense of belonging.
Moreover, the joy of seeing our community grow is immeasurable. As more individuals join this vibrant network, opportunities for collaboration and support multiply. We are thrilled to witness the growth of our community and the countless possibilities it brings. By actively engaging in online communities, paper artists and florists open themselves up to a world of connections.
As fellow creative entrepreneurs, we understand the importance of seeking guidance and support during periods of transition. In the episode, we open up about our personal experiences of seeking help, joining mastermind groups, and redefining our business identities.
Transition periods can be challenging and overwhelming, but they also present valuable opportunities for growth. By seeking guidance from mentors, coaches, and successful peers, we have been able to gain clarity and merge our artistic passions with effective business practices. Learning from the experiences of others and implementing new strategies has proven to be invaluable in navigating these transitions with confidence and purpose.
Joining mastermind groups has been a game-changer for us. These supportive communities of like-minded individuals provide a platform for brainstorming, accountability, and learning from each other's successes and challenges. Through mastermind groups, we have gained insights and perspectives that have propelled our businesses forward. The power of collective wisdom and collaboration cannot be understated when it comes to navigating the intricacies of running a successful creative business.
As our businesses evolve and adapt to changing landscapes, it is essential to take the time to reflect on our values, goals, and the direction we want to move in. Seeking guidance during these times of redefinition can help align our artistic vision with our business strategies, ensuring that we are staying true to ourselves while effectively meeting the needs of our customers and clients.
Navigating periods of transition can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be a solitary journey. Seeking guidance and support is crucial to staying on track. We encourage all creative entrepreneurs to tap into the wealth of knowledge and support available within our vibrant community.
Finding the right balance between personal expression and business growth is a common challenge for creative entrepreneurs. In Episode 134, we explore the importance of this balance and share insights on how to achieve it.
During the episode, Jessie opens up about her decision to step back from the podcast and focus on her artistic practice. Listen to hear all about how Jessie recognized the need to dedicate more time to creative exploration.
As an artist, it's essential to nurture one's creativity, experiment with new techniques, and delve deeper into artistic pursuits. By prioritizing personal expression, artists can continue to grow, evolve, and find their unique voice. When artists allow themselves the space to explore and experiment, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to their work. This authenticity and artistic growth contribute to the distinctiveness of their brand and help them stand out in a crowded market.
It's crucial to remember that personal expression and business growth go hand in hand. By striking a balance between the two, artists can infuse their business endeavors with their unique artistic vision, creating a brand that resonates deeply with their target audience. In the podcast, we delve into the nuances of balancing personal expression and business growth. We share personal stories and insights to help creative entrepreneurs find their own equilibrium.
In Season 6 our goal is to empower creative entrepreneurs in the world of paper art and paper floristry. Through inspiring interviews, practical advice, and exciting projects, we aim to provide valuable insights that will help you elevate your business and unleash your artistic potential.
Episode 134 has been a glimpse into our transformative journey. These lessons are just the beginning, and we invite you to dive into the full episode and join us for the upcoming season to uncover even more valuable insights.
We want to hear from you! As we continue to create content that resonates with the paper art and paper floristry community, we encourage you to suggest specific topics or areas you would like us to explore. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future episodes of Paper Talk Podcast and ensuring that we provide the information and inspiration you seek.
You can also join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Let's thrive together as we unlock the full potential of our creative businesses!
Title: Episode 133: An Exclusive Interview with German Crepe Paper Manufacturer Werola
Welcome back to Paper Talk Podcast, Season 6! We’re so excited to be back with more of the best in the world of paper flowers and creative small businesses.
In this highly anticipated episode, we dove into the vibrant world of crepe paper with an exclusive interview featuring Bernd Firmbach, the Vice President of the German crepe paper division Werola at Seaman Paper. This was such an incredibly rare opportunity, and you won’t want to miss a moment of our conversation. Join us as we explore the production process, sustainability initiatives, and the future of German crepe paper. This episode is a must-listen for paper florists and enthusiasts seeking to discover new insights to unleash their creative potential.
Here’s a peek at what you’ll hear when you listen.
Why Is Each Sheet of German Crepe So Unique?
Bernd took us behind the scenes at Werola, where the art of transforming jumbo rolls of paper into exquisite crepe paper comes to life. Dyeing, dipping, cutting, and rolling are just a few of the intricate techniques employed by their skilled artisans. Bernd emphasized the importance of quality control and revealed how the manual nature of their production leads to the fascinating variations in color and texture that make each sheet of Werola's crepe paper unique.
If you’ve used German crepe paper before, you know firsthand how beautiful and unique it can be! You won’t want to miss the details of what goes on behind the scenes to create this favorite paper.
How Sustainable and Safe Is German Crepe Paper?
At Werola, environmental sustainability is a core value, making German crepe paper a wonderful choice for paper florists who want their art to have a positive impact on the world. In the episode, Bernd discussed Werola’s conscientious efforts to conserve water, recycle dyes, and prioritize the use of recycled paper whenever feasible. Listen to hear how these efforts are part of the reason why German crepe paper has those variations in color discussed above.
Bernd also addressed common concerns regarding the safety of crepe paper. You can get the full rundown by listening, but know that Werola conducts rigorous tests to ensure their crepe paper meets strict safety standards. Their products are free from harmful substances, further exemplifying Werola's commitment to consumer well-being.
Any Exciting Product Developments on the Horizon?
Bernd shared about exciting collaborations and emphasized the growing demand for certain colors from our paper flower community. With a keen eye for artistic styles and cultural preferences, Werola's team continuously explores new color options. Listeners will be thrilled to learn about the potential for expanded color ranges and even larger folds of crepe paper, allowing for endless possibilities in our creative endeavors. Be sure to listen for details about which colors and products they are planning to add.
Bernd also acknowledged that Werola is keen to improve market accessibility, responding to feedback from the artistic community. Listeners who yearn to find Werola's exceptional crepe paper in local stores will be delighted to learn that the company is actively working to expand sales distribution and forge new connections to better serve artists and crafters worldwide.
What You’ll Learn When You Listen to Episode 133
We collaborated with Werola to bring two lucky winners a packet of German crepe paper featuring ten beautiful colors. All you have to do is answer our poll questions by August 3 to enter.
To enter into the giveaway, click here to fill out the poll questions.
This exclusive interview with Bernd Firmbach of Werola unraveled the captivating world of German crepe paper. We would love to see what you have done with this incredible paper! Tag us on Instagram with @papertalkpodcast and let us know what you want to explore in future episodes.
You can also join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
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Branching out your paper flower business can bring more financial stability and keep you excited creatively. The world of fine art prints can open an entirely new world of possibilities.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted about how Jessie has expanded her business from paper flower commissions, to writing a book, and now offering fine art prints. The amount of work that went into digitally creating the art, choosing a printer, and figuring out how to ship to customers is quite staggering. But that’s why we’re sharing what Jessie learned along the way so that you can more easily explore how to offer prints of your work.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► All about Jessie’s new limited edition print collection.
► How to work with and select printing and shipping companies for fine art.
► What to think about when expanding your product line.
► How Jessie created her digital artwork from photos of her paper flowers.
► Tips for the best frames for Jessie’s art if you purchase prints.
If you can’t listen right away, here are some tips that apply to expanding your paper flower business in any direction.
As Jessie shared on the podcast, she did a lot of research for her new venture. Which size should she choose? Which paper? There are a million options and they all make the art look a little different. Which company meets the right quality standards for printing fine art? Do they ship directly to the customer?
If you’re looking into creating your own prints, this episode is the perfect place to start your own research! Jessie shared so much useful information about these questions.
We’ve also covered many other topics on this podcast about areas that many paper florists explore. Learn about building a YouTube channel in Episode 112, what it takes to run a brick and mortar shop in Episode 110, or creating digital magazines and writing books in Episode 102. Search our archives for a plethora of topics that can get you started.
Whatever new direction you’re contemplating, start researching now!
Paper flowers are a fairly new industry. That means you’re probably really good at experimenting and learning new skills as you grow as an artist and business owner. We wear many different hats, and as you expand your horizons, you’ll wear even more.
Jessie shared in the episode about how she had to learn new things in Photoshop as she created her digital art. It took time. That’s okay! What’s fantastic about this new skill is that Jessie can definitely use that knowledge again.
This could be an important consideration when deciding which direction to push yourself. Which skills would you need to be successful? Will those skills be useful for other projects? If you’re not sure, it can still be worth it to pursue your idea. If your new knowledge will help you in other areas of your business, that’s even more incentive to put in the time and effort to learn.
Putting yourself out there can be scary, especially if it’s art you’ve put your heart and soul into. Will anyone buy it? Will anyone even like it? Is it worth the time, energy, and money?
You should weigh the pros and cons of any decision. You should make sure that you’re not pouring so much into a new venture that it will make it impossible to recover if things fail.
All that said, go for it! If fear is holding you back, take a leap of faith. Maybe no one buys your work, but you’ve learned something new and put your art out into the world. As Jessie shared, even if no one buys her new work right now, they now know that she offers that product. It can open new doors later. You never know what will happen, so try!
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Learn more about Jessie's first art print collection, Paper Flower Art Collection, on her website.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
At the end of the day, we’re here because of paper flowers.
On this podcast, we’ve talked about a wide variety of subjects to support paper florists on their journeys. For Season 6, we’re getting back to the heart of the matter: the actual paper flowers!
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we gave a sneak peek at what we’ll be discussing in Season 6. What we’re most excited about is getting more opinions from people like you! We want to know which tools and materials you prefer and why. We want guests who disagree with us. As Jessie explained:
Be sure to join our Facebook group where we’ll be posting polls about which techniques and materials you prefer, and please email us at [email protected] if there is a topic you are super passionate about. We’d love to have you on the podcast as a guest!
► Some of the topics we’ll discuss in Season 6.
► Why the variety of opinions we include on the podcast is so valuable.
► How to build a creative business that’s manageable.
► Why it’s okay to make your own rules for marketing.
To get you started thinking about your opinions, here’s a peek at some of the topics we discussed on the episode.
Back in the day when we got started in the paper flower world, crepe options were limited. Now crepe paper is more available and more varied than ever before.
Do you prefer Italian or German? Do you love Chinese crepe? Which weights do you go back to over and over again, and why?
We already know our answers to these questions, but we want to learn from you! There aren’t right or wrong answers.
Jessie shared in the episode about her experience using three different types of Aleene’s Tacky Glue at her recent workshop. One of the attendees had poor eyesight and couldn’t see where she was applying the clear glue.
This is the sort of situation that we hadn’t thought about before. This is why we want to have more guests on the podcast to share their experiences and preferences.
Again, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer here. We want to bring you as much information as possible so that you can make the right choice for you.
When it comes to sharing images of your paper flowers, there are a ton of options. Many of us start out snapping pics with our phones, which is great. Some photos are better than no photos.
But if you’re looking to up your picture game, investing in a professional camera is something that many paper florists do. Your creations are beautiful; you want to showcase them in the best light possible.
For those of you who have taken that step, do you love your camera? Do you swear by Nikon? Are you Canon all the way? Email us if you’re passionate about your camera!
(For tips on photographing your products, check out our archives! Episode 60 with Caroline Tran is a great place to start.)
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Making changes is difficult, but necessary. Shifting direction can help you uncover your why and get closer to what will bring you true joy.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we wrapped up Season 5 by talking about how our whys have shifted and how we made changes accordingly. You don’t have to keep doing the same thing out of obligation or because you think it will get better with time. Even small tweaks here and there can make a world of difference. If you never change, you’ll never discover something new that could get you closer to your why.
If you’re still struggling to hone in on what exactly it is that draws you to paper flowers, spend some time with our Why Worksheet and listen to the episode for tips about making those difficult changes.
► How our whys have shifted over time and why that’s a good thing.
► Even more about what you can do to find your why, if you haven’t yet.
► How to focus your work to find joy and avoid burnout.
► Recommended listening and reading for finding your artistic vision.
If you can’t listen right away, know that you’re not alone in struggling to figure this all out! You will get to your why, and these three tips will help.
You may look at other established paper florists and think they have it all figured out. We bet that’s not true. Even after spending a lot of time and energy to uncover what makes her happy, Quynh shared on the episode about how she’s still struggling to figure out which direction to go.
“It’s so hard when…you go around in this eternal circle asking yourself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ And imposter syndrome comes up because you’re circling back and forth. And I’ve been in that place before, and sometimes you just need to stop and you need to work really hard to get out of that cycle.” -Quynh Nguyen
Most of us will feel imposter syndrome at some point. If you get caught up on “I shouldn’t be here; I don’t deserve this,” then you’ll never get to your why.
Stopping those thoughts is easier said than done, but you can listen to Episode 80 about Overcoming Imposter Syndrome for even more help.
Talking through your struggle is a vital part of this journey! That’s one reason why we started Paper Talk. We wanted to share what we’re going through with you because it’s beneficial for everyone to hear about these difficulties.
We have also relied heavily on mentors to guide us as we make changes to our businesses. Their advice is invaluable. You really can’t fake experience, but a mentor can offer a bit of theirs to help you along.
You might not be in a position to find or pay for a mentor, but you can find someone who can listen. Your partner or spouse or sibling might not fully understand the world of paper flowers. That’s okay! Sometimes simply saying things out loud can help you find clarity.
You might not yet recognize your why, but it’s there. On the podcast, we talked about some of the guests we’ve had on over the years and how their focus has changed over time.
“Three years ago [our podcast guests] would have had no idea they would go in this direction, and yet it is to some extent consistent with their core why. It’s just their why is manifesting itself in different ways.” -Jessie Chui
Some of those guests knew what their why was three years ago. Some didn’t, but it was still there. There is a reason you are drawn to paper flowers. You just need to narrow down what exactly it is so that you can pursue it. Listen to the episode to hear even more about how to uncover what it is about the various aspects of being a paper florist that brings you joy.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
Many of us rely on word of mouth to advertise our paper flower businesses. Clients are going to trust a friend’s or event planner’s advice over a random ad any day.
But where do you start? How do you connect with people who can recommend your work?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Rebecca Grant of New Creations Weddings. She is a very recognized and respected wedding planner in the Seattle area, but that wasn’t always the case. Like all of us, Rebecca had to start her business from scratch.
She shared fantastic advice for anyone building a creative business. Listen now to learn how to cultivate a positive reputation as you navigate difficult decisions, adverse situations, and that often feared yet crucial piece, networking.
► Rebecca’s journey to becoming a well-respected wedding planner.
► How to evaluate if you should take that next big leap with your business.
► What to think about when investing money in your business.
► How to network successfully, even if you’re an introvert!
► Why and how Rebecca is partially pivoting to wedding venue ownership.
If you can’t listen right away, here is a peek at our conversation. Rebecca shared four specific reasons to evaluate when thinking about quitting your day job and jumping fully into your creative business. The last one was, as Rebecca said, “Network, network, network, network, network, network.”
A great way to build up your paper flower business is to network with other people in the wedding industry. Here are three things you can do to better connect with other professionals at networking events:
Start with who you know! On the podcast, Quynh recommended bringing a friend along to networking events. If you’re new to these types of events, or you’re on the introverted side, a friend can help you feel less awkward and alone.
It’s also much easier to gush about your friend’s accomplishments, and vice versa. Chat to your friends in the industry to see who would be willing to go with you. Make sure that you know all about their work and they know about yours.
“It’s great to have friends that push you and are constantly driven themselves. It’s just really fun to be a part of their energy and push you to the next level, too.” -Rebecca Grant
As Rebecca shared on the episode, the wedding networking events that she attends frequently draw in well over fifty people. Even if you only meet half of them, that’s still a lot of new faces and details to remember.
The solution? Take notes! Add their contact info to your phone, and attach a photo of their business card and a quick note of who introduced you and what you talked about. Also include a photo of them so you don’t forget what they look like. You can look for a headshot on their social media or website, or you can ask to take a selfie—and don’t feel bad about that request! Rebecca told us that she loves promoting these networking events on social media, because it encourages other people to join in later. She would gladly take a photo with a small group and that gets tagged at the event on Instagram.
When individual businesses are built up, the entire industry benefits. Those with more experience in the wedding industry or other creative fields know this, and they will more than likely be very happy to chat and take a photo with you.
If you meet somebody and they make an impression on you, message them. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You want to strengthen the connection you made so that later on you can reconnect more easily.
Your message can be as simple as this: “Hello! It was great meeting you at [the event]. I enjoyed connecting with you about [subject]. I’d love to chat more sometime and work together in the future. Hope you’re doing well!”
Rebecca receives many emails from various businesses wanting to work with her. As she said in the episode, she’s not going to recommend a business she doesn’t know to her clients. But by following these simple suggestions, you can network with people you want to work with.
“If you want to work with me, meet me! Get to know me.” -Rebecca Grant
Learn even more about networking and taking that next leap with your business by listening to the episode now.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About:
Rebecca Grant is a tenured wedding planner in the Seattle market, planning weddings now for almost two decades. She is currently serving as President on the WIPA Seattle board, has been previous Chapter Director for Wedding Network USA, a featured contributor on King 5’s New Day NW, along with countless other features through Seattle Times, Lynnwood Times, Event Pros, and so many more. She was also one of four wedding industry pros that worked with the Governor’s office through the 2020 pandemic to fight for the safe reopening of weddings and events with WSWEA.
She and her husband are the owners of Twin Willow Gardens, a wedding and event venue based out of Snohomish, WA. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with family and friends, plus spending time with her two golden retrievers, Barley and Ginger.
Learn more about:
WEBSITE: newcreationsweddings.com
INSTAGRAM: @newcreationswed
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/newcreationsweddings
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/NewCreationsWed
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Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
Do you ever worry that you’re committing time and money to the wrong job?
Even if you know that you love paper flowers, how can you be sure that you’re in the right specialty within our industry?
How can you avoid investing too much in a path that is ultimately a dead end?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with the lovely Susan Beech of A Petal Unfolds. She told us about her process of putting together and publishing her new book, and she shared her journey of discovering which artistic medium was the right fit for her.
We’re all about finding your why this season, and a huge part of that is being in the best job for you. Listen now to hear how paper flowers clicked for Susan and how you can evaluate which industry or speciality within paper floristry is right for you.
► How Susan knew paper flower making was right for her.
► Details about her book writing and publishing process.
► How your unique background plays an important part in your career.
► Where to find the best visual references when you can’t access fresh flowers.
If you can’t listen right away, start with these three tips to get you thinking about whether you’re in the right place for your career.
In the exciting world of paper flowers, we’re pushing boundaries all the time. In the episode we chatted about the amazing growth that we’ve witnessed in our industry in a very short period of time. Discovering new uses of paper flowers happens because people like you try something!
On a personal level, you will also benefit as you explore new areas of our craft. You won’t know if something works until you try it. You won’t know if you love something until you roll up your sleeves and do it.
To get to that excitement stage, try something new. It’s how we all discovered paper flowers initially. We weren’t born making them. We had to push the boundaries of what we knew first.
As you navigate new areas of your career, pay attention to whether something is simply not for you or if it’s really just beginner’s nerves. Susan touched on this when she told us about how she began teaching.
“When I first started teaching, I wouldn’t say I was a huge natural at teaching—standing up in front of people and teaching a class. But over the years I have had quite a lot of experience with teaching workshops, so I have built up my confidence quite a lot. I can run a class now without getting nervous.” -Susan Beech
Trying something new is uncomfortable. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not for you. While you don’t want to invest too much into a pursuit that’s not right for your business, do give yourself enough time to get comfortable with the skills needed for it.
Find ways that you can practice a new skill like teaching without putting too much time or money on the line. We’re creatives, so get creative!
Once you try that new skill, you have to give yourself time to think about it. This is where the sometimes difficult work of untangling your feelings comes in. Will you like teaching if you get more comfortable with it? Or will it always feel like a drag?
In the episode, Susan told us about her experience trying new tactile mediums. You can hear more on the podcast, but in short, she could feel that paper flowers were special.
“It felt different. I think it’s the excitement thing. I could see potential, and I could see opportunities, and it was exciting to make as a creator.” -Susan Beech
If Susan hadn’t been paying attention to how she felt, she wouldn’t have worked this out. We’ve talked a lot about self-reflection this season because it’s such a critical step to focusing on your why. Sometimes we’re so busy and stressed out that we can easily miss what our gut is trying to tell us.
Listen to hear even more about how Susan could tell that paper flowers were right for her, and how you can discover the best path for your career.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About Susan Beech:
Susan Beech is a paper artist with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Brighton. She is the founder of the studio A Petal Unfolds, teaches paper flower making workshops in London and Paris, and has taught for brands and institutions such as at the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Financial Times. Her commercial clients include Liberty London and Martha Stewart Living.
Learn more about Susan Beech:
WEBSITE: https://www.apetalunfolds.com/
INSTAGRAM: @apetalunfolds
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Do you feel excited to start your day?
Do you look forward to your work?
Do you feel fulfilled?
If you answered no to any of those questions, you need to follow your why back to the person you want to be.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Eileen Lim of Miss Petal & Bloom. She was a delightful early guest on this podcast. We couldn’t wait to have her back again to talk about her new book and her why. She beautifully told us how she got back to her true self by making paper flowers and running her business. You’ll glean useful tips on how to become the best version of yourself, as well as a peek at the process behind photographing and writing a craft book.
► How to express your best self and your best qualities in your job.
► What Eileen’s why is and how she found it.
► How she found her aesthetic and showcases her style.
► Details about what you can learn from Eileen’s upcoming book.
► Why taking your own photos can be a strength and how to do it well.
If you can’t listen right away, here are three things we discussed about how Eileen built her career so that she loves who she is as a person. Read her advice and hear even more on the episode.
We’ve mentioned it before this season, but finding your why takes time. You can’t sit down and figure it all out in an hour.
On the podcast, Eileen reiterated this piece of wisdom. She had to take the time to dive deep into paper flowers in order to find that she loved it. She had to try things out. She had to fail and succeed at different times. And very importantly, she had to reflect on what exactly she liked along her paper flower journey.
But it’s worth it! The hard work of self-reflection can lead you down the path that’s right for you. It will avoid costly detours and lead to a happier life.
“I do like the person who I am when I’m making flowers and when I’m my own boss.” -Eileen Lim
Eileen shared how she was so miserable at her first job out of college that her parents could notice a big change in her demeanor. She wasn’t her regular cheerful self.
Our loved ones can often see what we can’t. Ask what they’ve noticed. Do you seem more relaxed in certain situations? Do they notice something that really stresses you out? Listen to their feedback.
Do keep in mind that one person’s opinion isn’t necessarily what you should do. But if multiple people are noticing the same thing, that’s a good opportunity to sit down and think about how exactly you could incorporate their advice.
Simply talking it out with a friend can help you get closer to your why, even if they don’t offer any concrete feedback. Find someone you trust to talk about your paper flower journey with.
Once you’ve done the difficult work of self-reflection and eliciting feedback from loved ones, you need to take action.
Taking that leap into the unknown can be scary! You might not be ready to jump into the deep end, but you should make changes where you can.
You’re going to make mistakes. That’s okay. We all do. You can learn from them and do better in the future.
“Even though it’s challenging and even though I make mistakes, at least I can say that I stay true to myself and I’m happy with who I am.” -Eileen Lim
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About Eileen Lim:
Eileen Lim is the paper artist behind her whimsical online moniker ‘Miss Petal & Bloom.’ Based in Singapore, she is a full-time, self-taught crepe paper artist and has crafted blooms for brands such as Gucci, Bvlgari Parfums, Jo Malone, The Body Shop, Keds, Coach, Olivia Burton, and many more. She loves to teach and hopes to share the joy of crafting through her online courses, as well as her new book 'Crepe Paper Blooms, Bugs and Butterflies' (to be released May 2022).
Learn more about:
WEBSITE: www.misspetalandbloom.com
INSTAGRAM: @misspetalandbloom
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The world of crepe paper has grown so much in recent years.
Paper florists are being seen and celebrated outside our industry, and supplies are becoming ever more accessible. That includes changes to which crepe paper is available.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted all about the foundation of our craft: paper! We discussed where the newish 90 gsm Italian crepe fits in, how to improve colorfastness, and lots of tips for how to use all of the weights. Listen now to get back to the heart of what we do and what we love about crepe paper.
► Some big places outside our industry that have featured paper flowers recently.
► How we use each weight of crepe paper and practical tips for each.
► Where to start with coloring crepe paper and preserving color.
► Why experimentation is so vital to paper flower making.
If you can’t listen right away, here are three reasons why you should start experimenting.
Experience is the best teacher. We and other teachers can guide you in the right direction, but trying it yourself is going to give you the most encompassing and useful knowledge.
“It’s so satisfying once everything falls in place and you’re like, ‘That paper’s good for this. I know the properties of that paper. I know the qualities. I know what it can do, what it can’t do. What are its limitations, what are its strengths.’ And I think that requires you to get your hands on it and work with it and also fail.” -Jessie Chui
Get your hands on the different weights of paper. Experiment! Make mistakes! You’ll learn something valuable with each project that will make your future work even stronger.
You can hear what we’ve learned through experience with crepe on the episode.
Breakthroughs in how we use crepe will never happen if we don’t experiment! Paper artists are constantly innovating because they try new things. Our industry would be static if we didn’t. There’s no creativity or joy in doing the same thing over and over again without any innovation.
“That’s the fun part about paper flowers. Just like in nature, none of my paper flowers are exactly the same.” -Quynh Nguyen
We all benefit from this as we share our discoveries with one another, as well. You don’t have to do all of the experimenting on your own. When we all take on some of the experimentation, our entire industry benefits.
Do keep in mind that you don’t have to share everything you learn. As Jessie said on the podcast, she doesn’t want to share how she makes her pansies. They are so important to her signature look, that she wants to keep what she’s discovered about making them to herself. That’s completely fine! Do consider where you can share and don’t keep everything to yourself.
No two paper florists are the same. All of us will prefer different papers, flowers, glue, techniques, and on and on. That’s how it should be. We aren’t a factory trying to make all of our paper flowers come out the same.
That does mean that no one else can figure out what works best for you. You have to experiment with various crepe paper to see what you like and what will look best for your aesthetic. This takes time and practice, but the results are completely worth it.
As we discussed in the episode, you can become a more well-rounded paper florist by understanding all of the weights and how they best work for you.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
How do you learn when no one will talk to you?
How do you build up an industry when no one trusts one another?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Marlena Colazo of Blossoms by Marlena. We are always so struck by her confidence. She shared all about the challenges that have helped her forge that confidence, plus how she has built her knowledge and grown her business even when doors were shut in her face.
Even if you feel alone, you can make progress by looking in different places and trusting yourself to keep growing. Marlena went from novice to being featured by Bloom TV Network. She did this by following a unique path that only she could forge, and you can do the same.
► Marlena’s journey from engineer to felt flower artist.
► How she learned skills when other artists wouldn’t share knowledge.
► The ways she’s built up trust in her own industry.
► How felt has been an important part of parenting her son with autism.
► Which hot glue gun Marlena recommends (a must for felt!)
If you can’t listen right away, here is a look at just a few of the things that Marlena has done to find her own path and help others on theirs.
One of the best teachers is experience! It’s always nice when you can learn from an expert, but sometimes that’s not feasible. Marlena tried asking other felt artists about things, and they frequently worried that she would copy their work.
So she learned on her own. She ripped flowers apart. She tried new kinds of felt. Through trial and error, she figured out what worked for her.
Along the way, she found her unique style. Having that distinct look means that she doesn’t worry about others copying her. You can hear in the episode how she now shares the knowledge that she wished she had back in the beginning.
“I don’t mind sharing some of my providers, because I know I have my own style. Even if I give you the exact felt, you can buy it, but you can’t create what I do. I’m not afraid of you copying me, because even if you go with the color, it’s not going to be the same as me. Always, people will know which one is the copy.” -Marlena Colazo
Putting your work out into the world means exposing your art to criticism. Sometimes you can learn from this. Oftentimes, it’s just plain mean.
When Marlena encounters mean comments, she responds. She thanks the person for sharing their opinion, and then she moves on. She keeps in mind that for every negative person, there are multiple people who do love and buy her work.
You can hear more about how she responds and some of the benefits of doing it this way by listening to the podcast.
Marlena has tried her hand at other artistic endeavors. She tried paper flower making, and she’s currently in a class creating edible flowers for decorating food. These undertakings are not always successful.
“I never learned how to make paper flowers, because I was ripping the paper up. I was like, ‘No this is not for me. I need to go back to felt.’” -Marlena Colazo
That doesn’t mean that Marlena didn’t learn anything, though! As we discussed in the podcast, we frequently use sewing and painting skills for creating our paper flowers. The same holds true for felt artistry or really any skill. You will be stronger if you draw experience from outside industries. That’s how innovation happens, and that’s how you can learn when doors in your own community aren’t opening.
Listen to the episode to hear more specifics about how Marlena joined and learned from other groups, as well as how she started to build more trust in her own felt flower community.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About Marlena Colazo:
Flowers are always a good Idea.
That’s my phrase every time someone asks me why. I’m Marlena, mom of 2 who stumbled upon and started making some of my favorite flowers with felt. Some could say I breathe flowers, and I spend too much time buying wool felt. I use the flower making process as a way to tamp down stress and worries of everyday life.
My life around Autism and my journey learning a second language complements who I am as a person and what I transmit to you with my flowers.
Find me over at @bloomtvnetwork. I have a channel with them, and I’m part of the team experts. I teach you fun DIY and my ways to use felt and make easy flowers! Hope to see you there! Use code: marlenac2022 to save when you subscribe!
Instagram as @blossoms_bymarlena
Pinterest @blossomsbymarlena
Facebook @blossoms by Marlena
Fb group @blossoms by Marlena & Friends
Learn more about Marlena Colazo:
WEBSITE: blossomsbymarlena.com/
INSTAGRAM: @blossoms_bymarlena
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/blossomsbymarlena
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/blossomsbymarlena/_shop/
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Is it taking longer than expected to find your why?
Is your paper flower business growing more slowly than you’d like?
Do you feel like you’re making too many mistakes?
Maybe it’s time to stop and smell the roses.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we spoke with Deane Bautista of Deaney Weaney Blooms. Her paper flower journey has been a winding path, not a straight road, but she doesn’t regret that! Those twists and turns helped her discover her why and focus on what would most bring her joy in her work.
Whenever we chat with Deane, we’re always amazed at how much grace she has when faced with stressful situations. As our conversation revealed, a big reason why she is able to do this is because she embraces the journey.
► How to take your time and enjoy the journey of finding your why.
► Using your creativity to conquer business and administrative issues.
► Why it’s okay if you can’t completely jump into your paper flower business right away.
► How to create more written content with less work.
Listen now if you need encouragement about your winding path and take the equivalent of a deep breath with Deane. Here’s a preview of some of the things you’ll learn to do on the episode:
We often expect teenagers to have a solid idea of what they want to do for a career. As many paper florists can attest, what we study in college or our first adult job very often isn’t what we are doing now. And that’s okay! You can take your time.
“It took years for me to realize that this is what I want to be when I grow up.” - Deane Bautista
Deane shared how she knew years ago that she wanted to make paper flowers, but it didn’t happen right away. She couldn’t drop everything and focus only on her small business. She took small steps that added up over time.
Listen to the episode to hear what those steps were and which ones were absolutely crucial to building her career.
Sometimes we do things that end up being a bad fit for us. That doesn’t necessarily make it a mistake, though.
Deane shared about the corporate day job that she worked while starting her paper flower business. The corporate job wasn’t a good fit, but she doesn’t regret it. Without it, she would not have figured out just how important being creative in her work is to her. That’s her why!
On the podcast you can hear more about how Deane’s day job helped her paper flower journey flourish in the long run. It’s okay if you can’t jump completely into your creative business right away, as Deane’s story illustrates so beautifully. You can use it as a learning opportunity and a jumping off point.
Many of us just want to “make, make, make,” as Jessie put it in the episode. The business side of things can be tricky for creatives who just want to create! Sometimes, the best choice is to work your way around an issue. It might be worth it to pay someone to write your blog posts, for example. Other times, however, you might need to reframe your fear.
Deane told us about her initial fear of interacting with people at craft shows. Like many creatives, she’s an introvert. Chatting with people about her art sounded daunting. But she tried it and ended up loving it. She discovered another piece of her why:
“The affirmation from people who see it, they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s beautiful.’ That’s what adds to the spark or the joy of my why.” - Deane Bautista
You can reframe your fear as a skill that needs to be learned, rather than something that will always be terrifying. Listen to the podcast to hear our discussion about when you should push yourself to try something you fear and when it’s okay to avoid something that just isn’t for you.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About Deane Bautista:
Deane (Dean) Bautista is the designer and founder of Deaney Weaney Blooms, a paper flower studio based in Rochester, NY that offers beautiful handmade paper flower decor and blooms, as well as paper flower workshops and digital templates.
After years of working as a visual merchandising and exhibition designer, she explored and fell in love with the craft of making paper flowers when she moved to the U.S. from the Philippines five years ago.
When she’s not making her flowers or designing a flower template, she’s either chasing her two-year-old daughter, Sofi, or binge-watching Korean dramas.
Learn more about Deane Bautista:
WEBSITE: www.dwblooms.com
INSTAGRAM: @deaneyweaneyblooms
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/deaneyweaneyblooms
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Where do you go from here? What’s next for your paper flower business? How do you want to grow?
If your mind goes blank or you feel anxious when thinking about these questions, it might be time for an outside perspective.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Amy McGee of Botanical Brouhaha. She’s been a guest on the podcast before, and she’s been an even more integral part of Paper Talk behind the scenes. We felt overwhelmed. We didn’t know where to focus our energy. Amy stepped in as our mentor and has helped us refocus on what we want from our partnership and for our individual businesses.
No matter what point you’re at with your creative business, you have growing to do. A mentor can help you focus on where you want your journey to take you and how to get there.
► Questions to ask yourself to find the right path for your future.
► Why an outside perspective on your business is so important.
► Qualities to look for when choosing a mentor.
► How to make business partnerships work well.
► Amy’s new program, Circle, and how it differs from other programs.
If you can’t listen right away, here’s a peek at three reasons why a mentor can help shape your business. Hear even more on the episode.
As Amy said on the episode, you could organize your pantry on your own, but there’s a reason why people pay others to do it for them. They realize that it’s just not going to happen anytime soon!
A mentor can do the same thing for your paper flower business.
“That’s part of what’s really great when you talk to someone on the outside of your particular business… It helps us cut to the chase and expedite the whole process.” - Amy McGee
A mentor will force you to carve out time to think about difficult questions. They push you to make decisions. They help you get back to that why we’ve been talking about this season.
Listen to the episode to find out what you should look for in a good mentor to make sure you find someone who will do all those things and more.
You can read self-help books and take classes. You can set aside time to think about important questions. And you can make real progress on your own.
But sometimes you hit a roadblock and need to get out of your own head. If you’re stuck on a hamster wheel of constant work, you can miss a lot. An outside perspective can help you zoom out and see the bigger picture.
Amy has helped us do exactly that. You can hear more about the specifics on the podcast, but to put it simply, she helped us put into words what we really want. It sounds simple, but it’s so difficult to do without that outside view.
This reason might not seem very important on the surface, but having your decisions validated can make a world of difference. It provides motivation to keep going, and it just feels good.
We are social creatures. There’s a reason why it can be so fulfilling to build a partnership or community. A mentor can be another cheerleader in your life, one whose opinion often means even more to us since they have more experience. Being celebrated by someone who you admire is a fantastic feeling.
We discussed Amy’s new program, Circle, on the podcast, and how important it is to find people who can celebrate you. You’ll want to hear all about what makes her program so special for fresh florists and what you can implement on your paper flower journey.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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About Amy McGee:
Amy McGee has a broad range of experience in the floral industry. She entered the industry when she began growing and selling cut flowers from her first home-based business, The Cutting Garden. Her love of floral design blossomed while providing arrangements of her locally grown flowers to an upscale bed and breakfast. This venture eventually led her to open Bliss Flower Studio where she focused primarily on weddings and events, but also delivered custom arrangements and operated a floral subscription service.
Amy made the difficult decision to close Bliss Flower Studio in 2008 in order to spend more time with her family, but could not completely leave the “flower people” she had come to love. In an effort to stay connected to the industry, she started Botanical Brouhaha in 2009.
In 2017, Amy joined forces with Maria Maxit and Landon McGee to create the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast which highlights the stories behind the floral industry. When Maria went on to pursue other ventures, Maggie Bailey joined Amy as co-host of the podcast. Amy's latest venture, Bloom Trust Co, launched in 2020 with a mission to bring floral resources and community to floral designers, farmer florists, and hobbyists.
Amy has two grown sons and currently lives and gardens in Texas with her husband.
Learn more about Amy:
WEBSITE: botanicalbrouhaha.com and bloomtrustco.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/botanicalbrouhaha
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/botanicalbrouhaha
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/bbrouhahablog
PODCAST: botanicalbrouhaha.com/botanical-brouhaha-podcast
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How do you stick to a goal and see it through to the end?
It’s really hard! We all want to build new habits and skills, and we all have projects we want to finish.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted about how Quynh is participating in The 100 Day Project. It was founded by Lindsay Jean Thomson as a way to commit people to working on a specific project daily for—you guessed it—one hundred days.
Quynh’s goal is to work on video: shooting, editing, sharing, all of it. You can hear more about how she’s doing this, including lots of tips that you can use for editing and posting your own videos.
► What The 100 Day Project is, and how Quynh is participating.
► Tips for using Instagram Reels.
► How and where to edit videos, including stabilizing shaky video.
► What to look for in a camera and what to avoid.
► How we’ve been pampering ourselves lately
If you can’t listen right away, get started with these three things we love about The 100 Day Project that you can use to accomplish goals and finish projects.
To reach the end, you have to take lots of steps. If you don’t want your project to take years and years, or never get finished, you have to make consistent progress. The 100 Day Project is great in that it pushes people to do something everyday. That’s how habits are formed. That’s how you move steadily towards the finish line.
“I think that’s one of the biggest things about creating, is being consistent. So everyday doing something.” -Jessie
If you have something you’d like to work on, setting a daily goal is a great start. Quynh committed herself to taking a video everyday. That’s a flexible goal that doesn’t have a huge time commitment. You don’t need to set aside hours and hours a day if you’re being consistent daily.
Quynh uses the hashtag #The100DayProject to tag her progress on Instagram. Everyone else participating does the same thing. If you miss a day, people might notice. That pressure can be a useful tool when trying to accomplish something. It motivates you to keep up.
“It’s so hard to be accountable just to yourself.” -Jessie
In your own life, you can find ways to build in this accountability. For example, we have long leaned on each other for advice, collaboration, and very importantly, a way to keep each other on track. When someone else knows about your goal, you’ll be much less likely to skip out on those smaller steps since you’ll know they’ll ask about them soon!
Your music teacher was right. You need practice!
“I just know in past things that I’ve done, the more that I do it, the more time that I touch and repeat it and practice and practice, the better I’m going to be at it.” - Quynh
The more you work towards your goal, building in consistency and accountability, the easier it will become. Practicing those good habits will lead to them feeling more natural, just a regular part of your day. And as you work regularly towards a goal, you’ll get better at that skill! It’s a win all around.
Listen to the podcast to hear more about the skills Quynh has been building on her 100 day journey, plus lots of tips she’s picked up along the way.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!
Artists need to eat.
While we create paper flowers because we love our art and touching people’s lives in a unique way, we also have bills to pay.
Can you do both? Yes!
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Janna Willoughby-Lohr of Papercraft Miracles. Starting back in her college days, she set the rules for being an artist and building a successful business at the same time. As she put it, “I wanted to be an artist, and I didn’t want to be a starving artist, because that’s terrible.”
Janna made the right choices at the right time so that she could take advantage of opportunities that stayed true to her why and made financial sense. Listen now to get a shot of confidence for how you can do the same thing.
► Jenna’s paper flower journey and the why that’s fueled it.
► Why being open to new opportunities is critical for building a business.
► How Jenna made her appearance on a discovery+ TV show.
► Her advice for where to start when trying to grow your business.
► How Janna became a meme.
If you can’t listen right away, here are three things we discussed on the episode to get you started.
One way that Janna has helped her business grow is by being open to new kinds of opportunities.
She has received many requests over the years for things that were outside of her norm. That’s how she discovered paper flowers! A client asked if she could make them, and she said yes knowing that she’d have to learn something new. That led her to discover yet another medium that she now loves.
You can listen to the episode to hear many more examples, from being on a discovery+ show, to fulfilling an order for half a million seed bombs for Lowe’s. Each time she pushed the boundaries of what she did, and doing so paid off in big ways in the end.
When a potential client comes to Janna with a crazy request, rather than thinking about all the ways it won’t work, she focuses on what might work.
Maybe she’ll try something that fails. Then it’s just back to the drawing board. Maybe she’ll try something that ends up being fantastic and leads her somewhere even better.
“I really try not to be that person who thinks of all the reasons it’s not going to work.” -Janna
With a positive attitude and a problem solving mindset, you’ll face more challenges—which means you’ll overcome more challenges! Your skill set will grow, and your business will grow.
No business is built in a day. That’s especially true when you’re forging a new path, which many of us in the paper art world are doing.
On the episode, Janna told us that she didn’t pay herself until very recently. Every penny of profit she made went back into building up her business. She avoided debt and was able to invest in things that helped her paper business grow in the long term.
You might not be in the right financial situation to do that, and it simply might not be the right choice for you. However, being patient is definitely the right path for all of us. Even if you were somehow able to work on your paper flower business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it would still take time to grow into what you envision.
Listen to the podcast now to hear even more about how Janna has focused on her why all along her journey, and how her business is all the better for it.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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ABOUT Janna Willoughby-Lohr:
Janna Willoughby-Lohr is an artist, poet, musician and entrepreneur from Buffalo, NY. Her company, Papercraft Miracles, specializes in handcrafted paper art that brings meaning to people's lives. She was awarded a $25,000 Ignite Buffalo Grant in 2018 and was named 40-Under-40 from Stationery Trends Magazine in 2019. She’s worked with large brands such as Twitter and Capital One. In 2021, her team created 500,000 plantable seed bombs for Lowe’s Spring Garden Giveaway event. Janna was also a contestant on Meet Your Makers Showdown, a new crafting competition TV show that is streaming now on discovery+.
She is the host of Reach the Stars Podcast—which features inspiring stories of persistence, passion and purpose. Janna leads the membership committee for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO’s) Buffalo/Niagara Chapter and is a founding member of their Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. She has also served two terms on their board of directors.
Janna's home and studio are in an old department store in Buffalo where she lives with her husband and three little kiddos. She likes bright colors, giggling, and things that are small.
Learn more about Laura Richey:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/papercraftmiracles
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/papercraftmiracles
WEBSITE: www.papercraftmiracles.com
COURSES: www.papercraftmiracles.com/workshops
PODCAST: www.youtube.com/channel/UCD-Jz9RgAwJGfd0x_vm-Cwg
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You have a fantastic new paper idea. It’s innovative. People are going to love it.
The only problem? It’s a little off-brand for you. It relates to your paper flower business, but it’s different enough that you’re not sure if you can market it all together.
You might need a brand new brand.
Next problem? How in the world do you manage more than one brand?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Laura Richey of Pucker Up Paper Lips and 2 CLVR Designs. On top of her paper flowers and lip sculptures, she has also started creating paper portraits. Her art is all related, but appeals to different audiences and needs to be handled accordingly.
► Laura’s paper journey and how it led to sculptures and portraits.
► How to get found by big brands who want to work together.
► How to source paper despite shortages and shipping problems.
► Laura’s process for frequently checking in with customers to ensure they’re happy with the end product.
► How to tell when it’s time to pay for marketing or other outside help.
As a little sneak peek, here are three things to get you ready to branch out with multiple brands.
As we chatted with Laura, we noticed a thread running through her work. She is a cardstock paper artist. She has over a decade of experience working with that medium. That expertise is invaluable when opportunities arise.
On the episode, Laura explained how Pucker Up Paper Lips took off. Without spoiling the entire story, her circumstances changed, opportunities arose, and she had the experience to be prepared to seize the moment. The paper lips were still related to what she is skilled at (working with cardstock), but different enough to warrant a new brand.
“Why can’t I do that with paper?” - Laura
If you’re waiting for your break, or you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, keep innovating. Keep learning new things. Better your skill set. You want to be as prepared as possible for when an opportunity does come up. Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter if you get a chance if you’re not ready for it.
With three brands comes three audiences. Some of those clients will overlap. Some come from more niche markets. Even within a single market for one brand, customers are individuals. As Laura pointed out on the podcast, some people are more comfortable with emails, others with Instagram DMs, etc.
If you’re looking to expand your sales, then you need to meet people where they are. Your paper art should be in more than one place on the internet, and you should get your work physically in front of people.
To find the best places to be, you should understand your target customer base. On the episode, Laura discussed how her clientele differs for her various brands. Listen now to better understand who you should be seeking out.
Laura shared that she is now working with a PR company to better market her businesses. This wasn’t an easy decision for her to make, and as we discussed, it isn’t the answer for everyone.
Sometimes, however, you simply don’t have enough time to run your business, or you don’t have the skills for a particular need. That’s when it’s time to hire someone. You of course should be mindful of what you’re spending, but if you do this well, you’ll keep making money even while outsourcing some parts of your business.
“Taking a leap with your business is definitely something I recommend.” - Laura
Listen to the episode to hear Laura’s very sound reasoning for why she decided to work with a PR company, and how to know when it’s time to hire someone to help your small business grow.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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ABOUT Laura Richey:
Hi, I'm Laura. I started my business during the Covid pandemic in mid 2020. I needed a business that was flexible and that I could manage during online schooling and taking care of my son, who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). I created the Paper Lip business from the ground up. I have seen so many amazing makeup artists doing lip art that I thought, why can't I do something like that in a form of lip sculpture? Pucker Up Paper Lips was born.
Learn more about Laura Richey by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/puckerup_paperlips and www.instagram.com/paper_portraits_2clvr_designs
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ByLaurax0x0 and www.facebook.com/2clvrDesigns
WEBSITE: puckeruppaperlips.com and www.2clvrdesigns.ca
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A lawyer, a biologist, and a marketing and finance specialist sit down and talk about… paper flowers?
If you’ve been in our community for a while, this won’t sound shocking. But if you’re newer, you might be surprised at just how wide ranging paper florists’ backgrounds can be. While many of our stories about discovering our love of paper flowers are very similar, our journeys before that point are all over the map.
And that’s really where our community’s strength comes from.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Chi-Chi Nnakwe Whitley of AfroBloom Art and Design. She is a PhD trained biologist, app creator, and joyful paper florist. Her unique set of skills has helped her succeed on a path that is just right for her and has strengthened our community in a way that no one else could.
So how can you use your unique talents to help your paper flower business flourish? Listen to the episode to learn from Chi-Chi’s experience, and use these three tips that we discussed on the podcast.
► Chi-Chi’s journey to becoming a paper florist.
►How her why has guided her through academia, paper flowers, and more.
► How our community has helped her, and how she’s giving back now.
►Why Chi-Chi chose her business name, AfroBloom Art and Design.
►How to save on her app, Crafty Notes (spoiler: Use code PAPERTALK2022 to get a discount on an annual subscription for one year)
No paper florist is simply a paper florist. We have interests that are wide-ranging. These outside influences are what give us inspiration to do new things. They cultivate new skills. They keep us motivated as we stay curious.
“Once I started down that path, I really couldn’t let go because the flowers brought something to me that I felt like I didn’t have, which was a sense of creating beauty.”
Chi-Chi told us about how she didn’t know what she wanted to major in at college. She took a wide range of classes, and some of them just clicked. So she chased them. She took more science classes. She narrowed down her focus to studying things at a cellular level. She loved observing the little details.
See the connection with paper flowers, recreating little details? In a totally different subject, Chi-Chi discovered something about herself that later translated to a love of creating paper flowers. She found a skill that weaves through different areas of her life.
While we each have unique skills that will help us succeed, we also need to lean on other people’s strengths at times. By supporting each other, we all can do more.
In the episode, Chi-Chi shared the story about how she created her app, Crafty Notes. It is something that could only come from her, but that doesn’t mean that she didn’t get help with it. She got inspiration from our Makers Meetings. She took a class about how to create an app without coding experience. You can hear the entire story on the episode, but in short, she leaned on community to help her achieve her goal.
Listen to the podcast to hear all about how this app is perfect for paper florists or any creator needing to organize their ideas and projects. We’ve been very excited watching Chi-Chi’s work on this project.
Yes, we’ve been talking about this a lot, but that’s because it’s so important! Throughout your life, in any area, your underlying why will guide you and keep you energized enough to keep going.
“There’s that inner pride and joy that comes from creating a flower, and it’s addictive.”
As Chi-Chi shared on the episode, “To push through times when that ambiguity is there, you have to come back to your why and your motivation.” She said this while talking about earning her PhD, but it’s applicable to any part of your life.
Keep listening with us this season to focus on your why and find what will motivate you long-term to succeed.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
DISCLAIMER: Chinonye Nnakwe Whitley is participating in her personal capacity. Her participation does not constitute an endorsement by any federal agency or the United States Government.
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ABOUT Chi-Chi Nnakwe Whitley:
Chinonye Nnakwe Whitley (Chi-Chi) is a self-taught mixed media artist that finds joy in color, florals and afrocentric prints. Her aesthetic is romantically bold, feminine and whimsical. She builds community by teaching her distinct style in in-depth tutorials and building tools that empower emerging artists. She created the Crafty Notes Pro app to quickly capture thoughts when inspiration strikes, for talking to clients, for use when creating art work, and for recreating past projects.
Learn more about Chi-Chi Nnakwe Whitley by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/afrobloomart
WEBSITE: www.afrobloomart.com
WEBSITE (Crafty Notes Pro app): https://craftynotes.afrobloomart.com/
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As this pandemic has stretched on, paper florists and artists like us have had to become more flexible than ever before.
Revenue streams that we relied on have dried up. Guessing what events will look like in a month’s time feels as accurate as guessing what they’ll be like in fifty years.
Now more than ever, we have to diversify our income so that whatever happens in a week, month, or year, we will have something to rely on.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Ashley Reagan of ibleedheART about how she has diversified how she sells her art—including the things she tried that are definitely not for her. Listen now to hear our discussion about the many different ways you can earn income from paper flowers, and how you can choose which ones are true to your why.
If you’re interested in selling at craft and art shows, you need to hear Ashley’s advice on navigating how to find, choose, and evaluate which shows are right for you. Her expertise in this area is really fantastic. Here’s a little taste of what you’ll learn with three things you should look for when researching shows.
► How Ashley finds and chooses which shows to sell at.
►Why having different sources of income is so important.
► How to pick the right audience to sell your paper flowers.
►What happened to the white lily installation from the Tulsa Massacre Memorial.
Different art or craft shows attract different audiences. Ashley spoke about why she felt her paper flowers didn’t do well in certain venues, and it boils down to the audience.
What are their expectations for this event? Did they come here planning on buying bespoke, slightly expensive, handmade goods? Or are they looking for a bargain?
“Paper flowers became a way to honor my granddad, because he was an avid gardener. He loved gardening. He would always tell me which flowers we were passing wherever we were. So one of the first flowers that I created from my own template was a marigold because he always grew marigolds in his garden.” - Ashley
This doesn’t mean that you can only sell at shows specifically catering to your specialty. As Quynh pointed out on the podcast, our past guest Stephen Brooks quickly sells out of paper peonies at a show mostly focused on fresh peonies. Interest in your work can come from adjacent industries. It might take some trial and error to figure out which ones, but if you pay attention, you can start to better anticipate which audiences will be more receptive to your paper flowers.
If Ashley finds a show that she might be interested in, she looks for their home on the internet. Search for websites, Facebook pages, or news articles that mention it. You can see how the show has been marketed in the past, and that will let you know how it will probably be advertised in the future.
Marketing a show is essential to your success. More eyes walking past your booth means more potential sales. Good marketing will also reach the people who are most likely to be enthusiastic about your art. Marketing should not be the artists’ responsibility. The event coordinator should be spreading the word.
Researching all of this is easier if the art or craft show has been held in the past. If it’s a new event, you will probably have less marketing information to work with. Their current internet presence will hopefully give you a small glimpse into how they plan to present the show in their marketing materials and how they will go about reaching the right audience.
As Ashley shared in the episode, the event coordinator makes or breaks how successful a show will be. The coordinator is responsible for planning and marketing the show.
We touched on why marketing is important, but keep in mind the organization piece as well. A well-organized event is going to run smoother. You won’t waste time figuring out answers to questions that should have already been answered. You won’t waste time problem solving issues that arise because things weren’t planned out well in advance.
“The lilies made such an impact…Sometimes we think about why do we do this? It must be for something greater than ourselves. Why do we make paper flowers? If anything, one little act can create such an impact on someone else’s life. I don’t know about you, but isn’t that powerful?” - Jessie
Do as much research as you can on coordinators you aren’t familiar with. Chat with friends or colleagues who know them. Reach out to them with questions to get a feel for whether or not they’re on top of their game.
In the end, you will have to take a leap of faith when it comes to trying out new craft or art shows, but these tips will steer you in the right direction. Also, be sure to listen to the episode to hear how Ashley sets herself up for success at the shows and how she systematically evaluates the events afterward to continually improve her experience at shows.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
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ABOUT Ashley Reagan:
Ashley Reagan of ibleedheART is inspired by nature and creates feather and butterfly wing jewelry from embroidery thread, crepe paper flowers and plants, and hobbit door shelf sitters. She started making earrings after wearing real feather earrings and trying to find a solution to not have to readjust the earrings in the Oklahoma wind, so she came up with a method that still had the look of a feather, but had just enough weight to stay put on its own, but still be very light weight. Crepe paper flowers came along several years later as a way to honor her Granddad's love for gardening and realizing the green thumb wasn't passed down to her. Proceeds from each hobbit door sale goes towards one day building a human sized hobbit house to live in and one to rent out!
Learn more about Ashley Reagan by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/ibleedheart
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ibleedheart
WEBSITE: www.ibleedheart.com
ONLINE STORE: www.etsy.com/shop/ibleedheart
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What will bring you happiness and fulfillment as a paper florist?
You won’t know until you try it!
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we discussed the importance of trying new things in order to find your why.
Finding your why is the entire focus of Season 5, and we’ll be helping you better understand the purpose in life and paper flowers that will make you the happiest. We highly recommend our Why Worksheet to get you started.
Be sure to listen to this episode as we dive deeper into ways you can hone in on your why. In the meantime, here are three tips on exploring new avenues on your journey to finding purpose and contentment.
► How to dive even deeper into the reasons behind your why and better understand it.
► Why trying new things is so important to finding fulfillment.
► More about Quynh’s journey refocusing on her why.
► Why talking with someone else is essential to self-reflection.
► How long it takes to find your why.
The paper flower industry is as varied and wide ranging as the people in it. We have paper florists who only work on big events. Some start teaching and love it. Others move in the fine art direction, or prefer to scale up into selling kits through retail stores.
“I really couldn’t have done this without practically talking to Quynh on a weekly basis.” - Jessie
We explored many of these outlets in our Paper to Profits course. If you haven’t had the chance yet to join us for that course, you can get a good idea of the many different directions you can go by talking with other paper florists. Dig through the podcast archives and listen to what others are doing. Follow them on Instagram. Join our Facebook group to chat with others.
And then try something new! If you haven’t made flowers for a wedding, try it! Never made a big installation? Try it! Teach a class. Partner with a store. You don’t have to commit to doing it forever, but you should dip your toes into different areas. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy it.
Over the course of four seasons of Paper Talk, we’ve asked many paper florists and other creatives about their journeys. A very common story is starting in one creative field and finding your way into crepe paper flowers. And sometimes paper florists find their way from crepe to other things, as well. You don’t have to be just one thing!
Quynh shared on the podcast about her long journey to focusing back on her why. One important aspect is that her why threads through her entire life. Cooking, marketing, and running a podcast all tap into something that energizes her. On the surface those things don’t look connected, but they all feed Quynh’s creativity and her need to help others.
Listen to the episode to hear even more about Quynh’s journey and how she’s pivoted to her marketing work more recently.
Building a community is essential as you branch out and explore. You can bounce ideas off trusted colleagues. You can collaborate on big projects that would be impossible to do on your own (like this podcast!). Your friends can cheer you on and help you when you hit a bump in the road and have to slow down for a bit.
“What drives me is knowing the responsibility I have to [Jessie], the Paper Talk community, and the people who we’ve mentored.” - Quynh
As Quynh said, “What drives me is knowing the responsibility I have to [Jessie], the Paper Talk community, and the people who we’ve mentored.”
Our entire reason for building Paper Talk is to help our community grow and flourish. That work is incredibly satisfying because of the relationships we’ve been able to build with listeners like you.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us for even more great content like this.
Is the joy that you first found in creating paper flowers missing? Does the stress of your business override the fun that you used to have as a paper florist?
You need to refocus on your why.
For this new season of Paper Talk, we’re getting back to the heart of our purpose: our whys. When you focus on your why, you’ll be happier. You’ll be more balanced. You’ll have the confidence to make decisions. And yes! You can find your why and achieve all of this.
In our latest episode, we discuss our whys and how you can get back to yours. Now, this isn’t a fifteen-minute process. That’s why we’ll be spending Season 5 talking to a fantastic lineup of guests who will help us on this journey.
For now, we’ve put together a worksheet to get you started on uncovering your why. You can also get a jumpstart on what we discussed in the episode by thinking about the questions below.
► How we’ve refocused on our whys.
►Tips for narrowing down what your core why is.
► How to decide whether or not to say yes to a new project.
► Why time to reflect is crucial to staying energized and happy.
► How to beat FOMO.
In the episode, Jessie shared how draining it is for her to teach more interactive courses where she has to talk with students face to face, over and over again. She can do it, but it leaves her running on empty. That means no energy left for the things that actually bring her more joy.
Every paper florist is different. There are many of us who feel energized after teaching a class and chatting with a dozen students. Others draw energy from sitting quietly and letting creativity flow.
“Just looking back and understanding why did we even start it, and then asking that particular question the entire time that we’re doing the podcast is still making us happy.” - Quynh
Think about what energizes you. There is no one right answer here! Now dig into that. Ask yourself what exactly about that thing you find energizing. Our worksheet will help you reflect more on this, but simply recognizing your energy drains and avoiding them is a great first step.
As Quynh has discussed before, she pulled back from her monthly paper flower tutorials at The Posey Box. There was always something to do to get ready for the next box. She had no space for creativity or reflection. She wasn’t fulfilled doing the same things month after month. So she made a change.
She did the same with the podcast by hiring a team to edit the audio for her. As she said in the episode, “Taking that huge workload off has really given me a refresh, a real joy in recording the podcast.”
By giving herself space to reflect on what she really wanted, she was able to make changes. She gave herself room to be creative in the avenues that bring her greater happiness.
If you find yourself constantly scrambling to get things done with no time to just sit back and think, carve out some quiet space. You may have to drop a project or hand something off to someone else. It will be worth it.
Getting back to your why means finding what really matters to you beyond paper flowers. It focuses on the core of who you are. Being a paper florist should complement and support your personal life, not trample all over it. Otherwise, you’re going to burnout and regret losing time with those you love.
Jessie shared how she got back to her core why this past year. You can hear the entire story in the episode, but in short, she lost focus of her main why for a time. She quit practicing law to be more present for her children, and then had a wake-up call that paper flowers were starting to do the exact same thing that she had been trying to avoid.
“I was like, ‘I’ve got to stop, and I’ve got to choose my projects that align with my why.’ Part of my why is having that flexibility and that mind space to be there with my kids.”
You need space for self-care. You need space to nurture the relationships that matter most to you. Finding your why should help you create that space and support those goals.
Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us for even more great content like this.
We reflect on the past year of the podcast and our paper flower businesses. Learn how we’ll focus on the heart of our craft moving forward, plus what goes into building a successful partnership.
Season 4 is over! We can’t believe it! Thank you to our Patrons who have made it possible for us to keep making this podcast.
In our last episode of Season 4, we reflected on what went well and what didn’t last year, as well as what kind of changes we’re planning on making for the podcast and our paper flower businesses. We agree that our big focus for 2022 is getting back to the why: the heart of why we keep wanting to be paper florists and share our love of paper flower making.
We highly recommend taking time like we did on the podcast to reflect on your challenges and triumphs. But who has the time or energy for that? You can find the space in your mind to ask these difficult questions. Here are just a few ideas we shared on the episode.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How we balance our personal lives and paper flower businesses.
► Why leaning into your strengths is the key to avoiding burn out.
► Practical ideas for giving yourself space to focus on the big why and direction of your business.
► How to build a successful partnership, even between two very different people.
Find Space to Reflect
If you’re overwhelmed with your work, you won’t have the ability to think deeply or widely about where your paper flower business is and where you want it to be.
As Quynh shared in the episode, she scaled way back on The Posey Box last year because of this very reason. She felt like she never had time to reflect or do anything different. There was always something with an urgent deadline to take care of. She felt burnt out. You can hear the entire story on the podcast, but in short, she decided to focus on other things and is all the happier for it.
We shared some practical tips in the episode on how you can find space. Every paper florist has different circumstances, so there’s no one size fits all answer here. But if you are feeling unsatisfied or overwhelmed, start by carving out some space for yourself.
Say No Sometimes
Jessie put it well:
“Just because you have these great ideas, or opportunities come knocking, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they're the right ones for you. And some of them are really tempting! But they might not get you to your why.”
You need to master the art of saying no! We had an entire episode of Paper Talk dedicated to this subject, because it’s just so powerful. (Listen to Episode 85 here.) It’s hard to do, but the more you practice this skill, the better you’ll be at it.
Once you find the space to think critically about where you want your business to be, you have to focus on it. That means saying no to opportunities or ideas that don’t lead to it.
Build in Accountability
You can’t build a paper flower business alone. We all get help from family, friends, peers, and mentors. These relationships are essential for giving you someone to bounce ideas off of, to cheer you on, and very importantly, to keep you accountable. When you share your goals with someone, you’re going to have more motivation to work on them because that person is going to ask about them.
Our partnership in particular has been absolutely critical to our success both with Paper Talk and our individual businesses. And as Quynh said, “If you haven’t collaborated with another paper florist, I highly recommend it. The energy and the happiness that you get talking about paper flowers is just so fun.”
“If you haven’t collaborated with another paper florist, I highly recommend it. The energy and the happiness that you get talking about paper flowers is just so fun.” - Quynh
We talked a lot in the episode about how we’ve built our partnership so successfully. It isn’t always easy! But it’s completely worth it. You can also hear about our mentor for the podcast and how that has shaped our path for Paper Talk.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Dive into the details of what it really takes to offer paper flower kits to your customers. We talk packaging, shipping, client expectations, and more.
Many paper florists end up teaching our craft. People want to know how you created that amazing paper flower! And once you start offering tutorials or classes, you are inevitably going to be asked about where to source our specialized materials like a crepe.
One answer to this issue? Offering kits with your tutorials.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we dove into what it really takes to offer kits to your customers. If you haven’t put a kit together before, there are lots of issues that you probably haven’t thought of. Here’s just a few to get you started.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How Quynh began teaching and creating kits.
► What goes into creating, packaging, and shipping paper flower kits.
► Whether you should ship internationally or not.
► Managing clients’ expectations around ordering and shipping.
► How to manage preorders and why they could help your business.
Packaging Wholesale Items
If you’re going to make a profit from selling kits, you should definitely look into buying items wholesale. That said, you can’t just throw a bunch of unmarked wholesale wires and crepe paper into a kit.
“I don’t think people are going to be hard on you because you’re not offering international [shipping]. They might be disappointed, but I think it’s totally understandable why. It’s out of your control.” - Jessie
Many customers who are buying paper flower kits are new to our craft. They bought your tutorial and kit because they often don’t feel equipped to find the items themselves. It’s all so new to them! So they aren’t going to recognize the difference between a 22 gauge and a 16 gauge wire. You need to repackage these wholesale items in a way that customers can easily understand.
We discussed much more in the episode about packaging kits, including how to best present your product to make it a magical experience for the customer. Presentation matters!
Storing Products Safely
Buying all of those wholesale items means that you are going to need space to store them all. But you can’t shove them just anywhere.
As we discussed in more detail on the podcast, you have to make sure that these items won’t be damaged by crushing weight or by the elements, and that they will still be fresh if you don’t ship them out to a customer until months later.
One way to avoid some of these issues is to offer preorders, meaning that customers buy something that won’t ship to them for some time. In the episode, we talked about how we used this method for our Awesome Blossom! workshop series, and everything you need to think about when offering preorders.
Shipping Costs
Many small business owners don’t take into account all of their shipping costs. They ultimately end up losing money because they didn’t account for all of their expenses.
When you put together paper flower kits, you need to take into account the shipping costs for buying wholesale items, as well as what it will cost you to ship to customers. Kits can be heavy or bulky depending on what you include! You need to know how much a kit will cost to ship before you sell it at a set price that won’t cover this expense.
“I think that’s really key when you’re selling things to other people. You want to make it appealing. You want to make it look pretty.” - Quynh
And this gets even more complicated with international shipping. Quynh has had international customers request her kits, but it isn’t as simple as them offering to cover the increased costs. On the podcast, you can hear our discussion about the pros and cons of shipping internationally, and how to deal with the guilt that might come when you turn down international customers.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We share our best tips for packaging and branding products and how to safely ship paper flowers. We also check in with a longtime friend of the podcast, Mike Benson.
As the holidays near, everyone’s got shipping on their minds.
How do you package your paper flowers to withstand being tossed around in the back of a truck? How do you save money on shipping costs? Just how bad are these shipping delays we keep hearing about?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted about all this and more. Longtime friend of the podcast, Mike Benson, gave us an update on Carte Fini, including how he’s handling delays in importing crepe paper and other supplies from Italy and beyond. We also shared some of our best tips for branding and packaging your products safely, as well as how to make sure your shipping costs don’t eat into your profit.
Listen now to get ready for all of your holiday shipping. In the meantime, here’s a peek at three things you might not have thought about that we discussed in the episode.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► What is new and available now at Carte Fini.
► Discussion of the different weights of Italian crepe paper.
► How to charge for the handling part of shipping and handling.
► Our best tips for branding and safely packaging your products for shipping.
► How to cultivate reasonable shipping expectations from customers.
Create a Product That Can Ship
We make delicate paper flowers, but that doesn’t mean that each bloom can withstand the same amount of abuse in a shipping box. If you’ll be shipping a bouquet or flower, make sure that it is as sturdy as you can make it.
“I’m always trying to make it better. I’m going to try to in the coming months improve some of the ways that you can shop so that it’s easier. The line has grown over the years to where I don’t want people to be frustrated with trying to find the color they want, so I want to add some features.” - Mike
As we shared on the podcast, that means that certain materials like fine crepe paper should be avoided. Why? As Jessie said, “You can’t expect your customer to know how to fluff [a paper flower] up.”
No matter how beautiful your packaging is, your client will not be impressed if they pull out a flower that looks like it wilted. Make something that can withstand being jostled.
Share Tracking Numbers with Customers
Some apps will automatically send out this info to clients who purchase from you. If your shopping platform doesn’t do this, you should be emailing the customer with the tracking number as soon as you have it.
Why? First, your customer will feel like you haven’t forgotten their order. You’re maintaining your relationship with them. Second, you will save yourself some work. If they email you asking about where their product is, you’re going to look up the tracking number to see where it is. That’s something that your client can easily and willingly do. Lastly, it shows that you held up your end of the deal, and now the package is out of your hands.
This might seem like a really obvious thing to do, but when you’re a creative small business owner with often varying volume of orders, it can be easy to forget little things like sharing tracking numbers.
Throw an Aftermath Party
You should be evaluating your sales long after they have arrived to your customers. This postmortem lets you better plan for the future. When it comes to shipping, that means keeping track of your packaging and shipping costs, as well as trying to figure out what wowed your clients.
As we shared in the episode, that could mean emailing a customer to ask if your paper flower arrived, what condition it was in, if they are satisfied, etc. Obviously this should all be done in a friendly and not overbearing way. But if they liked your art enough to pay for it, they will probably be happy to share what they think.
“It boils down to your aesthetics and the presentation you want to present to the customer. Are you going to be eco-friendly? Are you going to be over the top—when they open it, it’s going to be the most magical and wonderful experience?” - Quynh
Once you have all of the info about how things went, you can dive into the details of what needs to change. Did you charge enough to cover packaging costs? How much profit did you actually make once you added on shipping? Could you change anything in your packaging to save money or improve the experience for your clients? Ask the tough questions, and your next sale will be even better.
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Kristen Kong joins us to share how she launched her YouTube paper flower tutorial channel, and how she creates weekly content to engage followers.
Videos are uniquely suited to paper flower tutorials. But they can feel daunting to produce!
Where do you start? How do you get views on a platform like YouTube? How do you avoid failing spectacularly?!?
In our latest episode we talked with Kristen Kong of Campbell Workshop. In under a year she opened a shop and started a YouTube channel with a gruelling one-tutorial-a-week schedule. How does she do it? She shared all the details with us on the podcast, giving you an insider’s look at what it takes to produce regular and beautiful video content.
Listen now to learn how she does it, but in the meantime, here’s a look at three things we discussed that will put you on the path to success when it comes to building a YouTube channel.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How Kristen started her paper flower journey.
► Her process and schedule for creating weekly tutorials.
► How she makes her tutorials accessible for everyone.
► Which equipment she uses to produce her videos.
► What she offers on Patreon to her fans.
Focus on Your Strengths
Part of our discussion delved into how unique each of us are as artists and creators. There isn’t a one-size fits all path when it comes to paper flowers.
Kristin explained her love of making tutorials like this: “Making paper flowers constantly could be boring for me, because I just keep repeating the same process, making the same flowers… It’s less challenging for me. I just love making new things and keep creating things… It just depends on the person, really.”
“I found teaching quite fascinating, because very time people really appreciate it, how you teach to them and they actually achieve it as well, everybody is really happy afterwards. So it’s like an amazing thing to share my skills.”
Cranking out a tutorial every week might not be for you. If you don’t love doing that kind of work, you will burn out quickly. If you are interested in creating more videos, think about what kind of content you would be happy to put your heart into. That might mean that you post different videos than other paper florists, or that you post less often. That’s okay! Figure out what works for you and focus on that.
Know Your Target Audience
As you make YouTube videos, keep in mind who will be watching them. Do you want to capture experienced paper florists? Crafters who are dabbling in crepe? People who just want to watch something pretty be made?
The better you understand who your target audience is, the better content you can create to engage with them.
Kristen talked more about this on the episode, but in short, she keeps all of her tutorials accessible to as wide an audience as possible. How? By using tools and items that almost anyone would have around the house. She knows the level of commitment her audience is comfortable with.
Let Yourself Be Less Than Perfect
Kristen shared her tutorial creation schedule on the podcast, which will give you a great peek at what it takes to create as much content as she does. One thing that stuck out to us is that she doesn’t let the fear of not being perfect hold her back.
She didn’t have the best equipment when she started filming, and still doesn’t. She doesn’t get caught up on perfecting the details of each tutorial. She does her best in the time she has, and then she posts the video and moves on to the next.
“Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Even in the flower world, like the real flower world, they don’t really have the perfect ones, because some of them have a little bit of burn or like a bit of tear or something like that. So there’s no perfect flowers in the real world.”
Being consistent with producing content is more important than being absolutely perfect. The truth is that you can spend months polishing a video, and it will still not be perfect. The minute you publish, someone will point out a flaw.
Kristen’s advice about paper flowers applies here as well: “Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Even in the flower world, like the real flower world, they don’t really have the perfect ones, because some of them have a little bit of burn or like a bit of tear or something like that. So there’s no perfect flowers in the real world.”
If beautiful flowers don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to either.
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Learn how to time a sale, what to offer at a special rate, why newsletter lists are so powerful, and how to promote a sale like Black Friday or other holiday promotions.
With a slew of holidays around the corner, we’ve got sales on our minds.
People are primed to shop right now. As creative small business owners, days like Black Friday are a fantastic opportunity to promote your products and get a boost in profits before the end of the year.
That said, special sales take planning. In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we discussed the ins and outs of running a Black Friday Sale or any other promotion. You have to think about timing, be careful not to devalue your art, market your sale successfully, and deal with the current delays in obtaining supplies and shipping items.
There’s a lot to cover on this topic, and you can hear all the details about running a successful sales campaign on the episode. Part of our conversation centered around how powerful email newsletters can be compared to social media posts. Here’s a little peek at what you can learn from the podcast with three things you can do to improve your sales emails.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How to time holiday sales to best reach your audience.
► Which products are better suited for special discounts.
► What it takes to market a successful sale.
► How to create graphics to promote holiday sales.
►Why you should cultivate and utilize your newsletter subscribers.
Plan Ahead for Marketing Emails
Some people aren’t great at checking their emails every day, especially the email or folder that receives marketing emails from businesses. You shouldn’t be emailing your newsletter list just once about your sale, the night before it happens. Tease it for a bit. Build some excitement. Get it on people’s radars. That means you need to make a plan early on.
“You’ll be surprised at who reads your newsletters because people don’t reply, you don’t know. You’ll be surprised at who does and who cares. Don’t forget about them.” - Jessie
With holidays like Black Friday, people are also slammed with a ton of messages promoting sales. If one of your fans signed up for your newsletter, they want to hear from you, but you also have to help them see your sale in a sea of emails. As we discussed in the episode, there are ways to stand out from the crowd. Your sale can happen earlier than most for that holiday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday Sales to happen at the beginning of November now.
Whether you choose to start your sale early or stick to a more traditional approach, you need to plan ahead to get emails out on time. Listen to the podcast to hear more about how we time these messages before a sale.
Understand Your Target Audience
Sometimes it’s difficult to know who is reading the emails you send out. Many email services offer insights into how many emails are opened or how many people click on links from your emails, but it can still be difficult to gauge which demographics are interacting more with your messages.
One way to understand who is engaging more is to add something at the end of your email that asks people to reply. Maybe you ask a question or offer to give advice on something you brought up in that message. As Jessie said, “You’ll be surprised at who reads your newsletters because people don’t reply, you don’t know. You’ll be surprised at who does and who cares. Don’t forget about them.”
If you can get a better idea of who is actually reading your emails, you can better tailor your sales for those customers. It’s no use to have a promotion on items that customers aren’t interested in!
Edit Your Emails
You should be double-checking all of your copy that goes out to customers, but we know that it’s sometimes difficult to get things out on a tight schedule. If you want to engage people who are on your newsletter list, though, putting in the time to produce a well-thought out email can make a huge difference in getting potential customers to consistently read your emails and click through to make a purchase when you have something like a special sale.
“Find a really wonderful, quiet, happy moment in your day and write [your newsletter]. Don’t do it when you’re distracted or busy, it’s going to make a not very good newsletter. And also let it sit and then look at it the next day. Reread it...and polish it up.” - Quynh
Here’s what Quynh recommended on the podcast: “Find a really wonderful, quiet, happy moment in your day and write [your newsletter]. Don’t do it when you’re distracted or busy, it’s going to make a not very good newsletter. And also let it sit and then look at it the next day. Reread it...and polish it up.”
Give yourself enough time to plan out your emails for a sale, then take the time to make them personal and polished. You can hear more tips for how to add that personal touch to your emails by listening to the episode.
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Arlene Rust shares her journey from paper florist to running a brick and mortar shop, plus the benefits and challenges of owning a physical store.
Have you ever dreamed of owning a brick and mortar shop?
We’ve heard many paper florists express interest in opening up a physical store, but fear of the unknown holds them back. It’s a big leap! Luckily, in our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Arlene Rest of Arlo Arts in the UK. Arlene made the jump from working in the corporate world, to becoming a paper florist, and eventually to owning a brick and mortar store. She shared why a physical store has so many benefits for increasing sales and building community, but she also told us about the many challenges that come along with shop ownership.
Arlo Arts has built up a big fan base and a great reputation. How did Arlene do it? There are too many helpful details from the episode to share here, but here’s a quick look at three things Arlene suggests paper florists should think about before taking the plunge into opening up a physical location.
Be Prepared to Diversify
If you have interest in opening up a shop, it’s probably because you love paper flowers and want to share that with your community, whether through workshops or offering supplies or selling made flowers. The reality, however, is that you most likely can’t keep a store running on that alone.
The good news is that our artform overlaps and runs alongside many other crafts. As Arlene said, “Generally try and make sure you’ve got enough interest in the store, so it’s maybe not just paper flowers, maybe you’ve got complementary things in there.”
Listen to the podcast to hear how Arlene has diversified her store and how she chooses which items will sell instead of just buying things she likes.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► Arlene’s journey from paper florist to brick and mortar business owner.
► The positives of owning a physical store.
► What it takes to run a brick and mortar shop.
► The biggest challenge Arlene faces running Arlo Arts.
► How she runs workshops and rents out her space.
Understand the Upfront Costs
Many paper florists are already running online businesses. You might have encountered some surprise costs along the way. With a brick and mortar store, there are even more costs, and you have to pay many of them upfront. That means that you need capital and you need a solid plan to start making money as soon as possible.
The first step is to fully understand what you will have to pay for upfront. Arlene shared so much in the episode that will get you started, and there are many other resources out there for people opening up physical small businesses. Do your homework. Get your finances in order. Know what you’re getting into.
Have Enough Time
Running a physical store is not a side gig. Arlene is the only worker at Arlo Arts, and she has to do it all. As she shared on the podcast, her life circumstances are such that she can dedicate herself full-time to running her shop.
“One of the things great about brick and mortar premises, people can come in, they can see the flowers, they can discuss custom orders, and it’s almost like you get a bit of added credibility by having a shop. But also people are inspired by what they see. So they see things and go, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize you could do that.’ I think I get a lot more orders because of that.”
Take a look at your life. Be honest with yourself. Do you really have the bandwidth to get a store up and running? Even if you hire someone to help, the buck still stops with you. And like Arlene said, the time she spends on running her shop isn’t just during the store’s open hours. Be ready to pour lots of time and effort into a new business.
You can hear what Arlene’s typical day at Arlo Arts is like by listening to the episode. You’ll get a good idea of what her time commitments look like.
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Jessie and Quynh discuss how to create and promote digital evergreen content that will bring in a steady stream of passive income.
Imagine this: you create a paper flower template, you put it up for sale online, and without any further work from you, it brings in a steady stream of income.
You can do exactly this with digital evergreen products.
On our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted about how you can make passive income from your digital content. Now, you can’t just post a template and expect the sales to roll in. As we discussed on the podcast, there is work that has to be done to cultivate your business and your online presence in order to leverage evergreen content. But with some planning, your paper flower business can bring in steady money from products that you’re not actively promoting.
Listen to the episode to get inspired and start producing successful evergreen content. If you can’t listen right away, here are three reasons why you should expand your horizons and start producing evergreen digital content.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► Ideas for creating evergreen content.
► Which digital products you should invest time cultivating.
► How to leverage social media for evergreen content.
► Repackaging content in different ways to promote sales with less work.
Spend Less Time Making Products
The beauty of digital content is that you don’t have to invest time in making products over and over again. With physical items, each paper flower you create needs to be handmade by you. Evergreen digital content doesn’t require you to put in a big chunk of time for every single sale you make.
“You’ll find that as you grow your following, and people subscribe to your newsletters and they know more and more about your products, they’ll buy one. And then they’ll buy two. I call it a reliable source of income because I know that every month X amount of money will come from my online courses.” - Jessie
For example, an online course takes time to plan, film, edit, and promote, but then you’re done. You may spend a bit of time advertising here and there, but nothing compared to creating something from scratch. And as Jessie in the episode, “You only have so many hours in the day. As we get older, it’s harder to make things over and over again.”
Listen to the podcast to learn which digital products you should put that upfront investment of time into.
Tie-Up Less Money
An evergreen product is something that doesn’t need continual input from you. That includes monetary input. Instead of buying materials upfront for each order, you only have to invest once—and even then, there are evergreen products that require very little upfront investment.
In this episode, we discussed how to broaden your product offerings with things like print-on-demand items, and we also talked about creating new content from old. As Quynh said, “If you’ve been in business for a couple of years now, you’ve got a lot of content. Look back on your history.” You’ll want to listen to our discussion for all of the details on how to leverage that content.
For now, know that good evergreen content will bring in more money over time than you put into it upfront.
Save Inventory Space
Digital content lives on the internet instead of taking up space in your closet or on your kitchen table—we know how a big paper flower project takes over the house! When you can bring in a steady stream of passive income from digital items, you can focus on the physical projects you really care about.
“If you’ve been in business for a couple years now, you’ve got a lot of content. Look back on your history.” - Quynh
We’re not trying to convince anyone to give up making paper flowers. We certainly haven’t! But we do want to encourage paper florists to look for other revenue streams that won’t take up time, money, or space in their already crowded lives.
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We chat with Sue Mcleary about finding your artistic voice, sharing freely as a teacher, and being a late bloomer to the floral industry.
How do you find your artistic voice? Will you ever get to the point that you can tell clients that you know what’s best for their floral arrangements—and they trust you?
In our latest episode, we talked with fresh florist Sue Mcleary, also known as Passionflower Sue. She has a unique and strong style. She stays true to her artistic voice, and her clients are all the happier for it. But Sue didn’t magically arrive on the fresh flower scene knowing who she was as a florist. It took time and experience. She told us all about how she found her way, and the principles all apply to our paper flower journeys as well.
Listen now to hear how Sue took back her artistic vision and has built a floral career that brings her joy and fulfillment as a result.
Here’s a sneak peek at three things we discussed in the episode that can help you get started on your artistic journey.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► Why taking back the artistic vision will actually make for happier clients.
► How to stop worrying about sharing what makes you special as a teacher.
► Why being a late bloomer in your industry can be a great perk.
► How she runs forums and offers online classes in different formats.
► What you’ll learn from Sue’s two fantastic books.
Find What You’re Passionate About
Sue didn’t expect to fall in love with floral arranging. She took on a wedding as a favor to a friend, and as she said:
“When I was designing flowers [for the first time], I really had this moment where everything kind of stopped, and I got chills, and I thought to myself, ‘This feels so right and so good. I think this is what I’m supposed to do’”
Even after she figured out that she wanted to be a florist, she still took time to find her niche. After several years, she discovered that she loved teaching. You need to do the same. Maybe you love creating large installations, but you don’t know it yet. As we discussed in more depth the episode, give yourself room to breathe sometimes so that you can watch for that moment of clarity that Sue had.
Give Yourself Time
Many of us, like Sue, are late bloomers to our industries. That can actually be a great benefit! Before Sue found flowers, she made jewelry. That shows in her work today. She is very well known for how she uses her floral art on the body in stunning ways.
You need time to gain experience and to learn. You need time to find what you are truly passionate about. That’s okay. This isn’t a race. This is a journey to find what will bring you joy as a paper florist.
Try Different Artistic Styles
Those who are new to paper flowers or any artistic industry need to try different things out. They need to learn, and that usually means trying on different styles that closely follow more experienced artists. We had a fantastic discussion on the podcast about mimicking others and making ideas your own, both from the perspective of newbies and more experienced artists/teachers.
“You teach because you want people to be better than you. Because you enjoy the idea that you can participate in elevating your industry. That’s why you teach.”
On the one end, teachers need to help newer artists find their style. Sue told us about a formative experience that taught her what kind of teacher she wanted to be. You can hear the interesting details in the episode, but in short, it made her very passionate about sharing as much information with her students as possible. As she said, “You teach because you want people to be better than you. Because you enjoy the idea that you can participate in elevating your industry.”
Our thoughtful discussion went much deeper into both teaching as an experienced creator and learning by mimicking. If you’ve felt unsure about either of those issues, make sure to listen.
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We chat with Amy McGee about how she’s built up a community of florists with her education and resource website.
If the past year has taught us anything, it’s the importance of virtual communities.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Amy McGee of Botanical Brouhaha. Last year we loved learning about how she has pivoted her business over time. In this episode we chatted about one of her newer projects, Bloom Trust Co. She’s brought together educators and resources in one place that makes it easy for fresh florists to find the help they need—and there’s lots of useful info for us paper florists, as well.
Amy wasn’t planning on Bloom Trust Co. being a virtual community. She envisioned it as a place to grab info and go. But as she listened to feedback from members, she realized that people wanted more. They wanted a place to gather together.
You can hear all about how Amy has successfully built up that community and what Bloom Trust Co. offers by listening to the episode. Here’s a little sneak peek of three things she’s done that have helped her virtual community thrive.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How to “flower with purpose” and choose work that is meaningful to you.
► When to listen to or ignore feedback.
► Why building a foundation of trust is crucial in business.
► How to nurture an online community.
► Which educators are involved in Bloom Trust Co.
Build Trust
If people didn’t grow to trust Amy over the years, they wouldn’t have wanted her to create an online community. Amy has proven herself trustworthy to countless florists by providing top quality education and advice time and time again with her podcast, blog, and personal recommendations.
“The mission of everything I do is to flower with purpose.”
A community must be built on trust. If you’re trying to nurture a place for people to gather, whether online or in-person, you need to gain people’s trust first.
Think about why you want to build community. We put together Paper Talk because we want our entire paper flower industry to thrive, just like Amy wants fresh florists to succeed. And people can tell when you stay true to the heart of your mission! As you make decisions that reflect those values, you’ll build trust.
Strengthen Relationships
As Amy mentioned in the podcast, every educator she works with for Bloom Trust Co. is someone she feels comfortable enough with to call on the phone. She knows that people will get quality education and content from them. She trusts them.
Community is about bringing people together, and that means navigating relationships. You need reliable partners who can help you build your gathering place. We’ve talked about it before, but Paper Talk and the success of our individual brands wouldn’t have been possible if Quynh and Jessie didn’t have each other.
Listen to the episode to hear more about how Amy has built up her relationships with the people she’s worked with, as well as who is involved as educators with Bloom Trust Co.
Focus on Accessibility
Amy spoke passionately and beautifully about why accessibility matters. You’ll want to hear about how she has kept that focus at the forefront while creating Bloom Trust Co., and how she has been so successful at bringing floral education to a wider audience.
“If your mission is to help people, and your mission is to get access to people, then you want that for them no matter where they find it. It might be with someone who’s doing something similar to you, then that’s fine, and we’re all better for it.”
To put it simply, a supportive community should be inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible. And sometimes that means helping people find their place, even if it’s elsewhere. As Amy said, “If your mission is to help people, and your mission is to get access to people, then you want that for them no matter where they find it. It might be with someone who’s doing something similar to you, then that’s fine, and we’re all better for it.”
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Learn which social media platforms you should be using, how to improve your photos and video content, and how to find sponsors for your paper flower business.
Attracting sponsors for your paper flower business can bring in extra money and security. But how do you find them? How do you make your brand attractive to theirs?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Sara Kim of Handmade by Sara Kim. She was such a joy to have on the podcast last year. We wanted an update from her since her business has significantly shifted focus during the pandemic.
With so many big events and weddings canceled, many paper florists have had to find new income sources. Sara went from hosting large in person workshops and creating huge paper flower orders, to now building up a successful online presence across social media platforms. She’s also worked with many sponsors.
Sara shared many tips about how to make your business more attractive to sponsors, and what it’s like working with other brands. Listen to the episode to hear all of that incredible information.
In the meantime, here’s a little glimpse of what you can learn. Here are the first steps you can take to get your business ready for sponsorships.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► Why you should be making videos for various platforms
► How to monetize your YouTube channel
► Which software Sara uses to edit her photos and videos (plus tips!)
► How to approach brands for sponsored content
► Planning out consistent content across platforms
Curate Loyal Followers
Sara would be considered a micro-influencer, and big brands are very interested in them right now. That means that you don’t have to have a huge following in order for big companies to work with you. They know that spending a little bit of money on a smaller creator can have a big impact, often giving them a bigger bang for their buck than investing in a huge, traditional advertising campaign.
You can benefit from this targeted marketing by building up a loyal fanbase. Those big brands want to see engaged and excited followers. Post consistent and valuable content. Take the time to respond to comments. Build up relationships with other paper florists.
“Paper flowers are a very marketable thing outside of just the flower itself. We use paper, we use scissors, glue, tools.”
Building a solid base of followers won’t happen overnight, but the effort you put in now will pay off in the end.
Create Video Content
Brands aren’t paying for photos as often anymore. They want TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube videos. A year ago, Sara felt very out of her depth making videos. But she learned! She looked up as much information as she could, followed artists who made content she admired, and just kept trying.
As Sara pointed out in the episode, you should constantly be working toward making more polished videos. It’s okay if they aren’t top of the line, professional right now, but you should have the goal to continually improve.
Listen to the podcast to hear Sara’s specific tips on how to improve and the sources she recommends learning from. She shared a wealth of knowledge about how she creates videos, what sponsors ask for in video content, which software and platforms she uses, and much much more.
Stand by Your Brand’s Values
Whether you approach a brand or they find you, your values should line up with theirs. Your loyal followers trust your judgment. You don’t want to break that trust by recommending products that don’t align with what you value.
You need to know now what your values are. What is important to you? What do you want your brand’s image to be? What do your followers expect from you? If you have a solid understanding of what your paper flower business is right now, you’ll know which sponsors are a good fit for you.
Once you’ve figured out your values, Sara had some great advice on how to approach sponsors on the podcast.
“That’s my biggest advice for small business owners in general, is just to be learning and making progress… You wait until you have the perfect photo or perfect video, it’s going to take too long. I do believe in pumping out and being consistent, consistently reminding people that you’re there, but then approve your aesthetics and progress in the quality of your flower, quality of your photo and your video. All of that.”
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Listen to our discussion of generating more income with physical paper flower products. We talk about scarcity, branching out your product line, and meeting customer expectations.
Who couldn’t use a little more money?
As much as we love our craft, we also need to eat. This season of Paper Talk, we’ve been focusing on ways to build up your paper flower income. In our latest episode we tackled generating more income from physical products, meaning anything you can hold in your hand.
Our conversation covered many different ideas. Some may be a perfect fit for you, others not so much. Listen to the entire episode to hear our breakdown of each so that you can better determine which is right for your paper flower business.
That said, here’s a little peek at what we chatted about.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How to branch out your physical product line.
► Where to sell your products besides Etsy and your website.
► Selling an experience, not just a product, with commissions.
► The ins and outs of using scarcity as a sales tactic.
► How to best manage customer expectations.
Branch Out Your Product Line
This doesn’t necessarily mean “make more of your paper flowers.” Obviously if you made more products, you could potentially sell more. What we’re talking about is trying something new. That may mean that you partner with a wrapping paper printer like Jessie did in the past, and have images of your work printed on things like stationary or greeting cards. The potential for partnerships with other industries is really only limited by your imagination.
“The days people buy on are the first and the last.” - Jessie
You can also think about new places to sell. Brick and mortar stores present an opportunity to get your products in front of an audience who might not ever encounter you online. Listen to the episode to hear more about stores that feature local crafters’ and artists’ work, plus more about working with brick and mortar shops.
Create Scarcity
Scarcity sales tactics aren’t for every artist, but they do work very well for some. In the episode we really delved into how to use scarcity as a way to drive sales, and you’ll want to hear all of that discussion to better understand if this is a strategy that would fit your business.
The basic idea behind scarcity is to give customers a sense of urgency. They are encouraged to buy your products because there’s a ticking clock or a limited number of products available. On the podcast Jessie explained exactly how other artists have used scarcity for product launches, and Quynh recommended an excellent book that you should check out, as well.
Meet Customer Expectations
Customer satisfaction is key to building up your long term income. Why? They’ll come back if they’re happy. They’ll recommend your products to others if they’re happy. Paper flowers are often purchased for special events, so people aren’t always on the lookout for buying something new from us. You need to make a great impression so that they remember you for next time.
“I build up on other people’s anticipation of shopping. In the United States, Black Friday is a huge shopping date.” - Quynh
As we’ve discussed before, communicating with customers can smooth over almost any problem. If you know that you won’t be able to ship something for a week, let the customer know. They’ll probably be okay with it. If you don’t tell them, though, they’ll start to worry and eventually get upset.
During our discussion about scarcity, we talked about how important meeting customer expectations is for building up your loyal customer base and for handling things like big product launches. Listen to the episode for more details about how to best manage these issues.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We chat with Liliana Lytvyn and Krista McPhee about why paper flowers matter, Paper Florists Against Racism, and #sendflowerstogreenwood.
Do paper flowers matter?
You can probably guess our answer, but you don’t have to take only our word for it. In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Liliana Lytvyn of Lilies and Art and Krista McPhee Petal and Finch. Like many of us, they come from different backgrounds but fell in love with paper flowers all the same. Our conversation covered a range of topics, including our work with Paper Florists Against Racism and #sendflowerstogreenwood.
At the heart of our discussion was this truth: paper flowers matter. What we create is important. Our art can make a difference.
You’ll want to listen to the episode to hear Liliana and Krista talk all about their paper flower journeys and much more. For now, here are three reasons why our artform matters.
Create Magic
On the podcast, Liliana told us about how she first came to work with crepe paper flowers. She, like Krista, was a crafter of many mediums. But paper flowers were different. The word Liliana used to describe this difference is “magic.” We know exactly what she means.
“A flower arrangement can tell a story.”
All of us are here because we fell in love with paper flowers. They call to us in a way that no other artform or craft does. That’s magic! And when we make something that we’re passionate about, people can feel that magic. In a world with so many problems, creating a little magic for someone’s tabletop is a special talent.
Listen to the episode to hear Liliana describe how she feels when she sees her paper flowers in her house. It’s beautiful!
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
► How Liliana and Krista started their paper flower journeys.
► Why paper flowers hold a magic for us that other mediums don’t.
► The story behind Paper Florists Against Racism (PFAR).
► Behind the scenes of putting together our community’s contribution to #sendflowerstogreenwood.
► How to show up and take action against racism as an artist.
Learn the Basic and Advanced Techniques
Krista brought up how we use flowers as a language. We send flowers to those who have lost a loved one or are celebrating something wonderful. We buy flowers for special occasions like prom or a wedding. And as Lilianna put it, “A flower arrangement can tell a story.”
Flowers have long held a special importance to people from all over the globe. Being able to recreate that in a longer lasting form is powerful. We can say “sorry” or “I love you” with our art. We can tell a story.
Make a Difference in the World
Our paper flower community had the opportunity to work with The Wild Mother and other groups who organized the commemorative events for the 100th anniversary of the Greenwood Massacre. If you aren’t familiar with that horrific event, check out The Wild Mother’s website and episode 91 for more information.
“If you’re in a group, put yourself out there. Contribute more than you take.”
The short of it is that African Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma were massacred and even more had their property destroyed in an event that decimated the most successful black community in America at the time. Most people today have never heard of it, and that was very much done on purpose.
Through the 100th anniversary commemoration, our paper flower community worked together to send hundreds of white lilies to Greenwood. A team of paper florists then put together the installation for the new museum there about the massacre.
“Paper flowers, maybe because we’re still a smaller community... it’s such a supportive, such a positive community.”
Making those flowers and traveling to Tulsa provided countless opportunities for people to learn more about the massacre. As Krista said in the episode, she was able to invite people in her life to make the lilies with her and learn about something they had no idea ever happened.
Paper flowers made that happen, and we hope they can do even more in the future as we continue our work with Paper Florists Against Racism.
Learn what affiliate marketing is with Rick Magennis, and how easy it can be for paper florists, and how you can start earning passive income.
What is affiliate marketing?
If you’re unfamiliar with it, it might sound like a very complicated business term. In reality, it can be a fantastic and simple form of passive income for paper florists. To put it simply, you can make a little bit of money by recommending products you already use and love. People click your link, buy a product, and you get a portion of that sale.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Rick Magennis of Bearcat Media. He helps businesses set up their affiliate marketing programs, and he shared so much valuable insight into this often overlooked form of marketing. As he said, “I’m actually shocked that it’s not as mainstream as those other marketing channels because it’s really the lowest cost, but also possesses the highest return on investment as well.”
Listen to the episode to learn about how and where to start as an affiliate. For now, here are three reasons to convince you why you should sign up for your favorite brands’ affiliate programs.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► How affiliate marketing works for both the brand and the affiliate.
► Where to start if you want to be an affiliate.
► Tips on how to be more successful as an affiliate.
► How to set up your own affiliate program, and how Rick can help.
► Why affiliate marketing works so well.
Recommend Products You Already Use
As paper florists, we use many tools and materials, and we have our favorites. As small business owners, we also utilize apps and programs that make it easier to keep things running smoothly. You’re probably already recommending certain products to people.
The most successful affiliate marketing isn’t pushy salespeak. It comes from people who are already loyal users of a product. You don’t need to go out of your way to push for sales. Most of the time, you’re simply adding in a link directing people to buy the thing you’re already recommending.
As Rick said,
“It’s not as scary or as much work as you think.”
Listen to the podcast to hear our recommendation for where to start when you’re first wading into the affiliate world.
Help Others Find Great Products
Affiliate marketing is really a win for everyone involved. Brands win because they increase sales. Affiliates win because they earn a little extra income. And customers who purchase through affiliate links also win because they’re connecting with products that have been vetted by someone they trust.
Not all materials we use are of equal value. It’s no secret that some are of better quality than others. But if you haven’t used the two different brands of pastels yourself, how are you supposed to know which one to buy? Is the higher priced one really worth it? If a paper florist you trust tells you which one they use, that helps you make a better decision.
Help Others Find Great Products
Affiliate marketing is really a win for everyone involved. Brands win because they increase sales. Affiliates win because they earn a little extra income. And customers who purchase through affiliate links also win because they’re connecting with products that have been vetted by someone they trust.
Not all materials we use are of equal value. It’s no secret that some are of better quality than others. But if you haven’t used the two different brands of pastels yourself, how are you supposed to know which one to buy? Is the higher priced one really worth it? If a paper florist you trust tells you which one they use, that helps you make a better decision.
Earn Easy, Passive Income
This season of Paper Talk is all about earning passive income—money that you don’t have to actively work to bring in. Every penny counts when it comes to running a creative small business.
Affiliate marketing is great for this. As Rick shared in the episode, “It’s not as scary or as much work as you think.” Most brands will even provide graphics and copy for you to use. With just a small amount of work upfront, you can start bringing in money.
Rick covered much more info on the podcast. If you’re at all curious about becoming an affiliate, you should listen right away.
Yang Liu and Anna Chedid join us to talk about branching out with their paper flower art to new venues, audiences, and outlets.
Finding new outlets for your paper flowers is thrilling and scary, rewarding and difficult. How can you successfully branch out with your art?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we spoke with Yang Liu of Shanghai 1984 and Anna Chedid of Flores da Annita. If you’ve seen Yang’s work before, you know she has a beautiful minimalistic and sleek style. She’s brought this style to her new digital magazine, Doublette. Anna also has something new on the horizon, as she has a paper flower book due out this fall, and we can’t wait to see her bold play with color on a printed page.
They both spoke with us about the journey into something new—taking their paper flower art and finding new venues, audiences, and outlets for it. Listen to the episode to hear all about how they’ve successfully transitioned into these new ventures.
For now, here’s a sneak peek at three things that have helped Yang and Anna branch out.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► How Yang created her beautiful layouts for Doublette.
► What is happening in the art world digitally, and how you can join in.
► How to overcome creative blocks.
► A behind the scenes look at what it takes to write a paper flower book.
► More about the making and future of Doublette.
Play to Your Strengths
As Doublette took shape, Yang wanted to print it. We are paper artists, it makes sense! But as she dove into the making of her digital magazine, she realized that she would need to invest a lot more time learning and using programs that are compatible with magazine publishers.
Yang had to make a choice: spend a lot of time doing something she isn’t passionate about or adjust her plans to play to her strengths. She chose the latter, and so her magazine went digital instead. Someday she may print Doublette, but as she said on the podcast, she’ll probably pay someone to help her.
When you’re branching out with your paper flower business, focus on your strengths. You don’t have to do things the way other people do them, and your creativity tackling a problem might actually be a good thing. Yang has been surprised by how many people around the world purchased the first issue of Doublette. A print only magazine wouldn’t have the same reach.
“I meant Doublette to be almost a travel journey as well. The first issue I started in Shanghai, the place of my birth. And for me, I want Doublette to visit different cities and bring in both florals and food from those locations.”
Let Things Go
When you’re wading into unfamiliar waters, you sometimes need to channel your inner Elsa and let things go. As Anna said about her book writing process,
“I’m learning to let some things go, to let other people control some things that I’m not able to.”
We paper florists are creative, small business owners. We’re used to wearing all the hats. But it’s okay if you can’t or don’t want to do everything! You can get help, like Anna did with her book, and your project will only be stronger because of it.
You can hear more about Anna’s book writing journey and what exactly she’s letting go of by listening to the episode.
Prioritize Your Creativity
Yang quit her corporate finance job during the pandemic. There were multiple reasons for this, which you can hear more about in the episode, but one reason was that Yang loves paper flowers. She loves running her own business that she’s passionate about.
As Yang pointed out,
“The pandemic forces you to think about your priorities really quickly.”
The past year has given lots of us time to think about what we really want from life. Take this opportunity to prioritize your creativity. You can let yourself take chances. You can try something new. Being surrounded by such uncertainty has brought into sharp focus just how important it is to do things that make us happy and bring fulfillment.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Welcome to Season 4!
We’ve been busy this summer with lining up guests and planning our yearlong Awesome Blossom! workshop series.
You know that our goal at Paper Talk has always been to share, connect, and grow the paper flower community. Awesome Blossom! is all about helping more people fall in love with paper flowers.
You can listen to our latest episode of Paper Talk to hear about each individual flower we’ll be teaching and the techniques we’ll focus on for each one. In the meantime, here are three reasons why you should join us:
Meet your paper flower community
One week before each class, Krista of Petal & Finch will host an online cutting party. Not only will you get some guidance for cutting and coloring your petals, but you’ll also be able to ask questions and chat with other paper florists.
Is there anything better than gathering together with people who love the same thing you do, to spend time doing and gushing over that thing you love? If there is, we haven’t found it.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► Which flowers and foliages you’ll learn in Awesome Blossom!
► The techniques we’ll be focusing on in our workshops.
► How Awesome Blossom! works for beginner and advanced paper florists.
Learn basic and advanced techniques
Our live workshops will walk you through each step of making the flower or foliage. You’ll end the class with a finished bloom. Beginners will feel perfectly at home in our workshop, and we’ll even have a little extra help available if you need it.
We’ll also provide advanced techniques that you can try out after class has ended. Sometimes this will be an entire video, or it might be suggestions for various materials to try. For example, we’ll provide two different recipes for the final floral arranging class: light and airy, or dark and moody. You can experiment with the colors we suggest and really make it your own.
With all of the techniques we’re teaching, the goal is to help you learn a skill that you can apply to later projects. We won’t just show you how to make a beautiful bomb peony, we’ll teach you how Jessie originally broke the flower down into manageable sections and figured out how to put it all together.
Have fun!
As Jessie said,
“Making paper flowers should be fun.”
Period. In case you haven’t noticed, we LOVE making paper flowers. They bring us so much joy. We want everyone to find that same fun that we have.
Awesome Blossom! isn’t about learning to make a copy of a particular flower. It’s about learning skills, employing creativity, and most importantly having a ball of a time while doing it. Listen to the podcast to hear even more about why Awesome Blossom! is for everyone.
“It’s pretty much a basic paper flower overview. Jessie and I have been working on this for months, trying to figure out what’s the best way to expose more people to paper flowers, and more importantly make them fall in love with paper flowers.”
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We’re wrapping up season three of our podcast, and we’re sharing what’s made it possible to reach 100 episodes.
We made it to ONE HUNDRED episodes of Paper Talk!
Cue the celebration! 🎉
Season 3 of our podcast is drawing to a close, and in our 100th episode we chatted about how we’ve gotten this far and what’s next for Paper Talk. We’re so grateful to have spent so much time sharing, connecting, and growing with you and our paper flower community as a whole.
Listen to our very special celebratory episode to hear more details about where the podcast is headed, plus some special shoutouts for people who have made this all possible.
If you want to know how we’ve gotten this far, these three special ingredients were crucial to reaching one hundred episodes.
Listeners
First of all, thank you to all of our listeners! Without you, we would just be a couple of paper florists chatting to each other each week. It takes an audience who is engaged to really build up a community around a podcast.
Your wonderful listeners have contributed in a variety of ways, from connecting us with guests to suggesting topics to leaving heartfelt reviews. That last one means the world to us. As Jessie shared in the episode,
“We love reading the reviews, because it reminds us of why we’re doing this. Thank you so much for leaving reviews.”
Listen to the podcast to hear some of our favorite reviews of Paper Talk, and see if you’ve been featured. And if you haven’t left us a review, please do!
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► Who has made this podcast possible.
► How our podcast has grown over time.
► What’s next for Paper Talk and when we’ll return for Season 4.
► A hint about our huge surprise in July. (Sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out!)
Patrons
Creating a polished podcast has real costs. We had an entire episode about the hard and soft costs of creating Paper Talk, which we highly recommend to get an idea of what podcast production really takes.
Our love of paper flowers and community can’t pay those bills, so we are incredibly grateful to our Patrons on Patreon who contribute generously to keep our podcast running. Beyond being generous enough with your time to listen to us, you’ve been generous with your money.
We know not everyone can contribute financially, but as a thanks to those who can, you can access special behind the scenes content by becoming a Patron.
Guests
Finally, we have to thank our guests. While the occasional episode of Jessie and Quynh chatting together is great fun, we know that our knowledge has limits. Without our wide variety of guests, we wouldn’t have been able to cover the amazing breadth of topics that our three seasons have traversed.
We’ve been dedicated from the very beginning to bring our community the sort of valuable content that will help them grow as artists and small business owners. Our guests both in and out of our community have done just that. They’ve shared with us about branding, the tools of our trade, pricing, finding your creative muse, bookkeeping, and every topic in between.
We’re already lining up guests for Season 4, and we can’t wait to share what they have to say about our special focus: passive income. Listen to the episode to hear more about that and how you can contribute to Paper Talk.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Bookkeeper Allena Steele shares her best tips for creative entrepreneurs to organize their finances and stay on the path of financial success.
You probably didn’t get into paper flowers for the money.
We certainly didn’t. But unfortunately, you can’t pay bills with creative spirit alone. So how can you set up your small business to make money?
It starts with smart bookkeeping.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Allena Steele of Steele Bookkeeping. She helps a wide range of entrepreneurs organize their finances and stay on the path of financial success.
We talked about the struggle of creative business owners to do just that. As Allena said: “So many people love what they do, which is the first ingredient to successful business, that they don’t really think about the money or organization part until they’re into it.”
Whether you’re beginning your paper flower journey, or if you’ve been making money as a paper florist for years, you’ll benefit from Allena’s advice on navigating taxes and bank fees, which software to use, and much more.
To get you started, here are three basic things she recommended on the podcast that all small business owners should be doing.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► How to prepare before seeing a bookkeeper.
► The difference between a CPA and a bookkeeper.
► How to navigate fees for business bank accounts.
► Which bookkeeping software Allena uses and how to save on fees.
► How often to meet with a bookkeeper.
► The pros and cons of writing off business expenses.
Open a business bank account
Your business funds should be separate from your personal money. This was Allena’s number one recommendation. No matter how little money you’re making, it will make bookkeeping and taxes easier in the long run.
Ideally, you should do this from the very beginning, but better late than never if you haven’t. Gather your business licenses and documents, and head to your bank as soon as possible.
Now, we know that when you’re starting out, every little fee matters a great deal. We asked Allena about how to navigate bank fees for business accounts, and you’ll want to listen to our entire discussion about the best options for you.
Use a tax savings account
Even if you don’t pull in a lot of income, you will still have to deal with taxes. Sales tax, filing taxes—as Allena put it,
“Taxes are always going to come. They’re not going anywhere. So being prepared for that is amazing.”
The best way to stay on top of taxes is to open an account where you can park that money until it’s time to send it to the government. A bookkeeper can help you better understand how much to set aside if you’re unsure. The goal here is to avoid any surprise tax bills. You’ll always have the money ready to pay.
Now taxes can get tricky. In the episode, Allena explained the difference between a bookkeeper and a CPA, and when you should use which—in particular, when it comes to taxes and regulations. You can also hear more about tax write-offs for business expenses and the pros and cons of claiming those.
Organize your financial information
While Allena has a preferred software system, she said,
“As long as you’re keeping track of stuff, any bookkeeper...can help you out.”
When your business is new and not very complicated, you might not want to invest in a bookkeeping software with monthly fees. That’s completely understandable! At a certain point, those systems are going to make your life easier, but the most important thing is that you are organizing your finances. Every financial transaction should be documented and stored in a central place.
You can hear more on the podcast about how to save on monthly software fees, as well as which system Allena prefers and when you should start investing in bookkeeping software.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn how to reframe your mindset about your creative business to help it thrive artistically and financially.
Paper flowers are not a need.
Yes, they create a great amount of joy, but at the end of the day, no one needs to buy them. That’s why you have to entice clients to want them.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative. He specializes in helping creative businesses thrive by recognizing that an artistic business has very different needs and circumstances than other services, like an accounting firm.
Here’s how Sean put it:
“When somebody wants to hire you…they want to feel something about themselves. That’s why they’re coming to you. Whether they want to give it as a gift or they want to do it for themselves, they want that feeling.”
So how do you make them want your work—something they could live without? Sean had so much great advice in the episode about reframing your mindset around your creative business to do just that. You’ll want to listen to all of it to glean information that will definitely help your business.
In the meantime, here are three ideas we discussed on the podcast that will help you build your client’s desire for your art.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► What makes creative businesses unique.
► How to help clients want your art and ultimately invest in you.
► How to draw boundaries with clients.
► If you should consider selling wholesale.
► How to best educate clients to prevent problems.
Embrace Scarcity
On the podcast, Quynh shared about a business that embroiders portraits of pets—but only ten a year. This artist lets people know the day she’ll take orders, and once those ten spots are gone, that’s it. And they fill up immediately!
As Sean pointed out, if that artist offered one hundred spots, the desirability of her work would most likely diminish. You can create the same demand by making your work more scarce.
Now, you’re probably worried about limiting your work. You’ve got bills to pay. Sean also explained his philosophy on pricing, including planning how much work to take on in advance. Listen to the episode to hear his in-depth explanation, as it beautifully encompasses his views on art and business, as well.
“Creative business is about creating something that hasn’t existed before. Even if you’ve done something similar over and over and over again—it’s the thousandth time of you doing paper flowers for a client—for that client it’s brand new.”
Show Your Process
We’ve talked about the importance of client education a lot on this podcast. There’s a good reason why. In order for potential customers to want your work, they have to understand the value of what you do.
Sharing a behind-the-scenes look at your paper flower process is a fantastic way to do this. Give your followers a peek at the many steps you take to create something. Show how you plan for a project and include how many hours that alone took. Let them see the piles of petals you had to cut for a big installation. Share what’s inspiring you right now.
As Sean put it on the podcast,
“People spend their money on what they care about. You’re showing them what they ought to care about when you’re showing them how you do your work.”
Explain Your Why
With a creative business, there has to be a why. Art isn’t something we do solely to make money. There’s a soul to your business, and your clients need to connect to it. Once they make that emotional connection, they’ll want your work more because it will give them that feeling that Sean mentioned earlier.
This means that you need to understand your why. “I like making paper flowers” isn’t a powerful why. But as Sean shared, your why also doesn’t have to be “I want to change the world with paper flowers!” Listen to the episode to hear his helpful guidance on how to find your authentic why—it can be difficult to articulate!
Once you know your why, share it. This doesn’t have to be anything huge. Short snippets here and there are enough to make that connection with potential customers.
“Art is not a need, it’s a want. You’re the artist tasked with creating something magical, and you’re entitled to get what you need to do that.”
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We chat with Holly Chapple about how she screens new clients, navigates contract negotiations, and protects her floral design business.
When starting out, it’s understandable to take on most clients. But as your business grows, you’ll have room to be more selective about who you work with.
How do you screen prospective clients to find the best fit for your paper flower business?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD. You’ve probably heard of her! She is a floral designer, educator, mentor, and more. On the podcast, she talked us through her process of taking on new clients. You’ll want to listen to our entire conversation to hear all she had to say about navigating contracts, consultations, and last minute changes.
In the meantime, here are a few takeaways about how to screen potential customers to find the best fit for your business.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► Holly’s process for booking new clients from screening to consultations to the event.
► How to choose the right clients before investing too much time.
► What to look for in prospective customers.
► How to scale your business for bigger or smaller events.
► What to include in contracts to protect your business and how to handle retainers.
Provide Clear Information
People should be able to look through your online presence and get a good idea of what you are all about. Your social media should be representative of what you do. Your brand’s voice should be crystal clear.
In the episode, Holly told us about what she includes on her website to help educate clients before they ever contact her. Her client inquiry page includes information about her company, general pricing, visuals of her past work, etc.
You can listen to the podcast to hear about what she includes and why, but in short, that information helps some prospective clients know right away if they want to work with Holly. If they see that higher end price tag and balk, they probably won’t send her an inquiry. Everyone saves time negotiating what will ultimately be a bad fit for both of them.
Create Some Hurdles
Now you don’t want to make it impossible for people to contact you. But if you are shuffling through way too many inquiries, it’s okay to make prospective clients put more effort into that initial contact. Some brides will cut and paste inquiries to a large number of florists, without really doing any research about the businesses. You can weed out these less serious clients by adding some hurdles.
For Holly, this means asking for more information on her client inquiry page. In the episode she details what exactly this entails, but the general idea is twofold. First, only more serious clients will put in the effort to fill out all of the info she requests. Second, that information provides Holly’s team with a better idea of who this client is, what sort of event they want, and ultimately if it will be a good fit for Holly.
Here’s what Holly said about the second reason:
“I get so disappointed when I invest [time] in someone who wasn’t really my client anyway. So by asking those questions, I start to realize the importance of design…and the importance that flowers have in their day. And if I sense that that’s not the case, then it’s not really a wedding I should be bidding on.”
Have a Conversation
If a client submits an inquiry and looks to be a good fit for Holly, her team will put together a proposal. She doesn’t just email it to the client, though. She picks up the phone and has a conversation.
She stressed how important this call is: “If you want a business that’s booking consistently and has good vibes out there in the industry—and your customers, whether you book them or not, have a good feeling about the process of working with you—I think a phone call is always in order.”
This call builds up your relationship with the client and makes them more likely to book with you. It also helps you get a better idea if this client is right for you. Maybe they cleared all the hurdles and looked great on paper, but an actual conversation can reveal things that an internet form can’t. This phone call can help you see any red flags before contracts are negotiated and signed.
Holly shared much more about how to handle those calls and consultations, and you won’t want to miss any of it.
Listen to our discussion with Holly Dionisi about how she overcomes her anxiety in order to build up her paper flower business.
Why should I even try?
If you’ve ever reached that point on your paper flower journey, you’re not alone. We all encounter difficulties that make us want to give up at the peak of our frustrations. But sometimes there’s an even deeper issue under the surface, holding us back from trying new things or finding the motivation to keep going.
Today, we’re talking about anxiety.
Everyone feels nervous sometimes. When those feelings stop you from living your life, though, anxiety becomes more than an annoyance. It’s something that needs to be addressed. You should of course seek treatment from professionals for severe anxiety. You can also draw strength from our community and learn from others who have dealt with the same issue.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Holly Dionisi of Everfleur Designs. Holly has had anxiety since she was a child, and she spoke with us about the ways she manages her anxiety and how paper flowers have been an important piece of that journey.
Anyone who has ever felt anxious or like they were an imposter should listen to the episode to hear all of the details. In the meantime, here are three things we talked about that can help you when it comes to pushing back against these debilitating feelings.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
► How to calm your anxiety and focus on your work.
► Ways to fight back against imposter syndrome.
► Holly’s paper flower journey from cardstock to crepe.
► Why she is rebranding and how she went about doing it.
► How to find and nurture your aesthetic.
Lean on Community
As Holly said on the podcast, “Our industry is the best! Our community rocks. You make friends, and they want to help you. And it’s community over competition.”
We are here for each other! There are no dumb questions. There are no invalid feelings. There is no one who is not welcome. Our industry as a whole is very welcoming. Knowing this won’t erase all of your fears, but we hope it eases some of them.
We also highly recommend building up a smaller, tight-knit support group. This is good advice in general, and it definitely applies to building up your paper flower business or perfecting your craft. Jessie and Quynh have long leaned on one another for support, advice, and friendship. Having another paper florist you can trust goes a long way to easing anxiety about your choices.
Join groups and classes, and get to know your fellow artists. Many of them are also looking for paper flower friends!
Take Space
This may seem counterintuitive because of our first tip, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to feel less-than because of another person’s work.
If another paper florist’s feed fuels your imposter syndrome with thoughts of inadequacy, mute them! Take some space. It’s not personal. You’re not blaming the other person. You’re giving yourself room to get into a better state of mind.
Once you’ve worked through some of those feelings, you can try unmuting them. It’s also okay if you don’t. While we support and build each other up, it shouldn’t be at the expense of anyone—including you.
Feed Your Passion
In the episode, Holly spoke so beautifully about how paper flowers have helped her overcome her anxiety. She compared it to motherhood: how wanting opportunities for her daughter has pushed her to try things and go to places she wouldn’t have otherwise. Love pushed back against her anxiety.
The same happened with paper flowers. She normally wouldn’t sign up for an in-person workshop like our Masterclass in Toronto back in 2019, but she did because she is passionate about paper flowers. We’re so happy she took that leap, because we got to meet her!
Here’s how Holly explained it:
“It’s hard initially when you say yes to something, and the nerves leading up to it. But then when you do it, it’s just an incredible feeling—especially when you’re doing it for something you’re passionate about.”
Listen to the podcast to hear much more about Holly’s journey and her coping strategies. Everyone can benefit from her great advice.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn how paper florists can help bring meaning, healing, and more to the world this International Paper Flower Day.
Art is powerful.
Your paper flowers are powerful.
At first glance, people might dismiss paper floristry as simply a pretty craft, but we know that it is much more. We pour our hearts and souls into our work. That gives it power, and that power can be used to support great causes.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we talked with Kate Alarcón of The Cobra Lily. She is the paper florist who sparked the first International Paper Flower Day and has inspired artists around the world to make this special day their own. This year’s theme relates to our new group, Paper Florists Against Racism, and as such, our conversation covered lots of ground about how our art can help heal and support those who have suffered due to discrimination and hate.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation about how you can support marginalized groups through your paper flower art.
Listen to our conversation to hear:
How International Paper Flower Day got started.
This year’s theme and how it relates to Paper Florists Against Racism.
Ideas for using paper flowers to help heal and inspire others.
Why it’s so difficult to view your own work as serious art that deserves respect.
How to support marginalized groups with your art without overstepping.
Listen and Learn
In order to support people who have been systematically discriminated against, you have to listen to their experiences first. The history of much of the oppression and hurt that has happened to marginalized groups has been actively erased and suppressed.
An example of this is the Greenwood Massacre, which we talked about with The Wild Mother on a recent episode. Paper florists are working to support the centennial commemoration efforts taking place in Tulsa at the end of May. But if you don’t know about events like the massacre, you can’t do anything to help. Plus, fully understanding the events that happened gives more meaning to your art.
As Kate said,
“I would love to share with other paper flower makers the feeling of power when you make a flower and it stands for somebody who died in a massacre. There’s nothing as an artist that you’re going to get that has that instant, ‘Boom! I made a difference. What I do matters.’”
If you listened to that episode of Paper Talk about the Greenwood Massacre commemoration, you already started learning! There are lots of fantastic podcasts, books, articles, Instagram accounts, and more where you can listen to the stories of marginalized people.
Offer Help and Follow Guidance
In the episode, Jessie talked about a recent project that she worked on with an African American artist. He was creating a series of pictures about the experience of growing up black in America. That is not Jessie’s background. But because she listened and had a conversation with him about how they approach art and what he wanted out of the project, they were able to work beautifully together.
Kate and Quynh also shared experiences about their paper flowers helping others tell stories that were very different from their own backgrounds.
You can listen to the podcast to hear about the details of those projects, but in short, the best kind of support follows guidance. It’s fantastic to get involved in a project that will elevate stories that need to be told. Just make sure that if it isn’t your story, you take on a passive role. Offer help, and then listen to the directions you are given.
Value Your Art
In order for your art to make a difference in the world, you have to believe in it! For many of us, we struggle to call ourselves artists. We struggle to elevate our own work in our own minds.
On the podcast, Jessie shared about her own experience comparing men’s paper flowers to women’s, and how ingrained it is to think of a man’s flower as art and a woman’s flower as craft. She knows that that isn’t fair to her own art or the art of other paper florists, and she’s working to fight back against that kind of thinking that’s been ingrained in most of us. And that’s important work!
Take a moment to examine how you view your own art. Do you talk it down? Do you dismiss it? If you properly value your work, you’ll be better able to lift up others with it. Don’t worry if you don’t have perfect self-confidence—no one does—but do find ways to take pride in your art.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7 pm PST/10 pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn how our guest Martha Lucia reaches out to her local market in order to successfully promote her paper flower business.
How do you market your paper flowers to local customers?
Selling online is fantastic. We all do it for a reason. But it has drawbacks like high shipping costs and more competition—plus, you can miss out on a customer base that will be more loyal to you and is more accessible to only you.
You need to tap into your local market!
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
One of the biggest obstacles with marketing paper flowers locally is simple education.
People in your area need to learn that paper flowers exist and that you sell them.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Martha Lucia of Pretty Petals by Lucy.
Our conversation kept circling back to some of the amazing things she’s done to build up her cardstock paper flower business locally.
You’ll want to listen to the entire episode to hear all about how she runs her workshops, sells mostly outside of the wedding industry, and how she navigates her online presence.
But here’s some of what we talked about when it comes to marketing locally:
Work Craft Shows
Martha has had great success in selling products at craft shows like The Queen Bee Market. This was the first thing she recommended on the podcast when we asked her how she advertised.
People go to craft shows ready to buy. They have loved ones in mind to buy gifts for. They have an empty mantlepiece at home that they’ve been wanting to decorate. A craft show is really a perfect place to sell something like paper flowers.
Even if you don’t make a sale to everyone who stops by, those people are now aware that paper flowers exist (which is the first big hurdle), and that your business sells them. When they do have an event or celebration that calls for something beautiful and handmade, they’ll think of you.
As Quynh has shared before, she once worked with a restaurant to feature paper flowers on their tables years and years ago. She still gets customers who remember that and look her up now to buy something.
Teach Workshops
When a local shop approached Martha about teaching a paper flower class, she was enthusiastic. She already had teaching experience thanks to scrapbooking classes she’d taught years earlier.
If you don’t have teaching experience, you might be more hesitant to lead a class. That’s understandable! But the payoff from teaching is well worth the discomfort and the effort to get the ball rolling.
Teaching workshops can help you connect with people you might not have otherwise. Some customers will pay to buy something already made, but some want the experience of making it themselves. Martha shared in the episode that in 2019 (before the pandemic threw a wrench in everyone’s business plans), she made most of her income from teaching classes. People love them!
Build Partnerships
Those local workshops that Martha teaches serve another important function: building relationships with local retailers and businesses.
When you have a good working relationship, you can benefit from some of the advantages that brick and mortar stores have. These local shops tend to have a loyal customer base of people who are interested in crafting, home decor, and attending workshops. Those customers might not be aware that paper flowers exist until their favorite shop hosts a class. Then bam! New customer for you!
Besides helping with advertising, local stores can also handle the financial end of accepting payments for classes or products. If you don’t have your own website set up, this can be very helpful—especially when you first start teaching.
Listen to the podcast to learn more about how Martha has built relationships with local stores, plus how she’s partnered with Farren Celeste who lives overseas. Martha puts together Farren’s paper flower kits in the States and teaches workshops with her templates. It’s a tricky sort of agreement to navigate, and you’ll want to hear how they worked out their arrangement.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7 pm PST/10 pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn how entrepreneur Crystal Marshall avoids problems for her event planning and paper flower business.
Problems happen with any business, but it’s always best if you can avoid them.
How in the world do you do that, though?
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Crystal Marshall of Faithful-E Planning. She shared so much useful insight into running her event planning and paper flower business. One thread that stuck out to us was how good she was at making smart choices that protected her business in the long run.
Here’s a little taste of what she shared with us and how she has protected and built up her business so successfully.
► How Crystal incorporates paper flowers into her event business.
► Handling rentals, including installation and delivery fees.
► How Crystal balances her day job, parenthood, and being an entrepreneur.
► What we do to protect our items during shipping.
► BONUS: Advice from our pricing chapter of Paper to Profits.
Include protective contract language
Now more than ever, it’s important to include protections in your contracts.
You can’t always anticipate what will disrupt business as usual (like a pandemic), but you can add in contract language that gives you flexibility and protection. Covid reminded us of how necessary clear and fair cancellation policies are. Including a damage fee for rentals is always a good idea.
For Crystal, she’s been able to have ongoing conversations with her clients about her Covid policies, like setting up for events before guests arrive or when customers are expected to wear masks around her. As the pandemic continues to shift, these conversations will have to continue happening.
You’ll be able to negotiate with customers and work out an agreement in most cases, but you should have a contract to back you up if things do get thorny. Take a look at your standard contract and make sure that it protects you.
Avoid shipping mishaps
Our art is so delicate! Who among us hasn’t had nightmares about a box of fragile paper flowers being squashed in the back of a FedEx truck.
We shared lots of ideas about how to protect your flowers on the podcast, but in general, it’s always a good idea to reinforce your box. Because paper flowers weigh so little, you can usually add in some more packing materials without increasing the cost of shipping. It’s worth the extra expense to make sure that your products arrive safely.
Of course, as we acknowledged in the episode, at a certain point you’ve got to let it go. There’s only so much you can do to protect your art. Accidents and mishaps happen. Once you’ve done your part, don’t worry yourself away about the worst case scenario.
Choose the right clients
In the episode Crystal talked warmly of her clientele, and she acknowledged that she’s been lucky to work with many wonderful people. She did point out a couple of red flags to watch out for when deciding to say yes or no to a potential customer.
First, if the client doesn’t seem to know what they want, they could be difficult to work with. These people tend to ask way more questions than your typical customer, and they often struggle to make decisions. If they don’t have a clear vision of what they want, it’s much more likely that they’ll be dissatisfied with the end result. It might be best to give them more time to decide what they really want before agreeing to anything with them.
Next, Crystal mentioned one client who confided in never being satisfied with anything, be it a haircut or a restaurant or whatever. If you know that a potential customer is very difficult to please, think twice about working with them. These people are luckily rare, but keep an eye out for anyone who complains about multiple other services or products.
Finally, remember that the artist-client relationship goes both ways. You shouldn’t let clients walk all over you, but you should also be courteous and understanding of them as well. Most customers will be lovely to work with, and when you reciprocate that kindness, they are more likely to turn into loyal clients.
Crystal said,
“What really shows you that you’re doing a great job is when you have a repeat customer. That’s always the greatest pleasure when someone’s like, ‘I love what you did before. Can you do it again?’”
To learn more about Crystal, head to our website, www.papertalkpodcast.com
We chat with Chantal Larocque about how she has become such a successful paper flower artist, and how you can navigate business decisions as well as she has.
How do other paper florists grow their businesses so quickly and so well?
Everyone makes mistakes along the way that you probably don’t see, but the most successful business owners do make the right decisions most of the time. So how do you do that? While each person’s journey is unique, you can learn from other paper florists who have had to make tough choices. Your decisions may differ in details, but the principles behind those choices can guide you.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we invited Chantal Larocque of Paper and Peony to chat with us about how she has built her thriving business. She’s been making cardstock paper flowers for over a decade now, and looking back you can see how many right decisions she made along the way.
She shared many stories behind those choices and her best advice for making the right call each time. Listen to the episode to hear everything she had to say. In the meantime, here are a few of the principles that can steer your business down a successful path.
► How to position yourself for commercial work.
► The secret to good photos of your products.
► What a graphic designer can help you create for your branding.
► The process of photographing, writing and publishing a book.
► How to navigate a name change and rebranding successfully.
► BONUS: A sneak peek at Paper to Profit’s chapter about shipping and packaging, including advice on how to protect your products, which extras are worth paying for, how to brand your materials, and more.
Make Changes
Chantal first started selling her flowers under the name Dragonfly Expression. That’s a perfectly lovely name, but when her graphic designer pointed out that it didn’t explain what she did, Chantal felt a name change was in order.
This was scary! Would Chantal lose clients? Would people like the new name? Would all her work be worth it? Despite her fears, Chantal’s business actually doubled following the name change to Paper and Peony. New opportunities opened up for her, and she was able to grow in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
Change can be difficult, but if you never change, your business will never grow. Take those leaps of faith. Try something new. Change things up. The worst thing that will happen is that it won’t work and you can try something else.
You can hear more about how Chantal navigated this big change in the episode.
Say Yes
You should be selective about which projects you take on. You don’t want to burn out or work with a client who treats you poorly. That said, keep an open mind about new opportunities.
In the episode, Chantal shared several instances about saying yes to something she hadn’t done before. When she was approached to make crepe paper flowers for Canada Post stamps, she didn’t know quite how she’d do it since her medium of choice is cardstock. But she knew that this was an opportunity she couldn’t turn down. She said yes, figured out how to make the flowers, and ended up producing a beautiful series of gardenia stamps that were seen by millions.
When you say yes to something that pushes your boundaries, new opportunities will open up. Listen to the podcast to hear about the doors that opened for Chantal, as well as how she decides whether a new project or client is a good fit for her.
Be Generous
In the episode, Chantal and Jessie both shared moments when another paper florist helped them, and how that generous support ended up being crucial to their journey as artists and businesses.
Our entire reason for starting Paper Talk was to help our community grow and become stronger together. Chantal put it this way:
“That’s what is lovely in the paper flower community, because we can help each other with our designs and sometimes when we have to create new flowers.”
Accept help from others, and be generous yourself. All of us have other people who have made us what we are today. One of the best things about our industry is that it isn’t cutthroat. We help each other, and since a rising tide lifts all boats, we all benefit from our collective generosity.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn about The Wild Mother’s project to commemorate the Greenwood Massacre of 1921 and how you as a floral artist can get involved.
Have you heard of the Greenwood Massacre of 1921?
If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Quynh, who was raised in Tulsa where it happened, didn’t learn about this tragic event at all while growing up. In short, one of the most thriving black communities in America was decimated. Dozens were killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced—but this history has been covered up and denied for a century.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Lauren and Leah Palmer of The Wild Mother. They are fresh florists in Oklahoma City and have been very busy planning for the centennial commemoration of the Greenwood Massacre. They spoke powerfully about a central tenet of their business: art is medicine. They are working tirelessly to provide healing through their artform, and we are so excited to join in their efforts.
Many people are coming together through different avenues to support the commemoration of the Greenwood Massacre. We want to harness the power of our paper flower community to help do just that. Here are three ways you can help:
Use #sendflowerstogreenwood
Starting May 10th, The Wild Mother team will start using the hashtag #sendflowerstogreenwood to post pictures of arrangements made specifically to commemorate the Greenwood Massacre. They’ll also be putting up three big installations around Greenwood for the centennial commemoration events, which you can hear all about in the podcast.
They have invited other artists to use the hashtag alongside them. Join in and show your digital support from May 10th to June 7th by making something for the centennial and posting it online. We can’t wait to see what everyone creates!
Follow them on Instagram at @thewildmother to see all of their creations for the commemoration.
Make a White Lily
We are calling on paper florists to use our free White Lily Tutorial to make and send a flower for the opening of the Greenwood Rising museum on June 2nd. This is one of the three big installation projects that Lauren and Leah told us about on the podcast. Since it will be indoors, it gives us paper florists the perfect opportunity to contribute with our artform.
We need the lilies to be as similar as possible, so we ask that you use Quynh’s tutorial. We recommend shipping domestically (U.S.) no later than May 17th, and internationally no later than April 26th. Sign up here to be added to the Facebook group and to get all of the information you’ll need to participate.
Quynh and a small army of paper florists will help to install the lilies onsite before the museum opens.
Donate
Lauren and Leah estimate that they’ll end up donating $50,000 in time and materials for the three big installations that they’ll be spearheading. They planned on donating their efforts from the very beginning, but they would appreciate financial support from those who are willing to help pay for lodging, food, and materials.
To learn more about what kinds of donations they are looking for, as well as how to send money, visit their #sendflowerstogreenwood FAQ page. Lauren and Leah also talked more about how you can donate in the episode.
We are also raising funds to pay for room/board of the 3 volunteers who will be on the ground installing the white lily memorial installation. You can support our very first Paper Florists Against Racism initiative through our GoFund me Page.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
→ How the florists behind The Wild Mother discovered their passion of healing through art.
→ The history of the Greenwood Massacre of 1921.
→ Why it’s important to create space to remember events like the massacre.
→ The projects, installations, and events that will commemorate the massacre.
→ More details about supporting The Wild Mother’s commemoration work through art, time, or money.
Remember to join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Nora Fradin shares her paper flower journey and how she got the help her business needed to be successful.
How do you know when your paper flower business needs help?
Small business owners like ourselves have that entrepreneurial spirit, which is fantastic! We do have to be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that we have to do everything by ourselves, though.
We’re so used to handling everything, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a boost from others who are a little further along their journey.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Nora Fradin of Lilac and Blush Paper Garden. We got to know Nora at our workshop in Toronto, and through our Paper to Profits online course last year. She talked about the benefits of getting help for her business early on, and it’s been wonderful to be a part of her paper flower journey.
Listen to the podcast to hear all about how Nora knew when she was ready to start a business and how she navigated a name change. She also had lots to say about Paper to Profits from a student’s perspective if you’re still unsure if it’s right for you. Here’s a little taste of what she had to say about getting help for her business.
Accessible Expert Advice
One of the things Nora loved most about Paper to Profits was how easy to understand it was.
Our online course is bursting with all the information you need to get your creative business up and running. That means that we cover somewhat dry topics like taxes and invoices, but Nora felt that those things were presented in a friendly and digestible way.
“You guys have had all these experiences already, and it’s something that is new to a lot of us. We’re just swimming along, not quite knowing where we’re going. To have experts who can present that information in a way that’s really easy and relatable, but also really helpful and informative, has been really nice. And it definitely lived up to my expectations in terms of comparing it to your Toronto workshop.”
Useful at Any Stage
Nora signed up for Paper to Profits because she felt ready to take a leap into business. But as she pointed out in the podcast, you don’t have to be at the very beginning of your business journey in order to benefit from our course.
There are gems of information throughout that will help you no matter how far along you are. Only beginning to think about starting a business? Paper to Profits will help it happen fast! Already been in business a couple years, but you’re struggling with things? We can definitely help!
The breadth of information available means that there’s something in our course for everyone, plus our Mastermind group sessions will give you the opportunity to ask us questions and dive into anything not covered.
We’ve made some big changes to our online course that will make it even easier to successfully build your creative small business.
Can you build a successful business when you’re an artist at heart?
Yes! We know you can! You can learn to be an entrepreneur. You can love your job. You can have the right tools.
How? With Paper to Profits. We’ve put together all of our knowledge about building creative small businesses and made it easy for you to be successful from the very beginning of your business journey.
In this latest episode of Paper Talk we talked about the big changes we’ve made to our online course and why you will benefit from it. Listen to the episode to get a sneak peek into the kind of content you can expect from Paper to Profits, plus how to apply for a scholarship.
If you can’t listen right away, here’s a rundown of the changes we’ve implemented—because we’ve had so many questions about what Paper to Profits will look like when the doors open in May.
Learn more efficiently
You won’t find anything else like Paper to Profits out there. We both have six plus years of experience building paper flower businesses, plus backgrounds building other businesses and educational experience in law, finance, and business. And we’ve packaged all of this in one place specific for creative business owners.
You will save an incredible amount of time by having this info all together and by avoiding issues before they creep up on you unexpectedly.
As Jessie said,
“You can’t Google what you don’t know.”
Our students last year loved the amount of information they gleaned. That said, it is a lot to take in. We get it. Staring at a computer screen and learning about taxes is not most people’s cup of tea. To make it even easier for you to learn efficiently, we’ve made Paper to Profits more visual and accessible. Our artform is visual, so we understand that taking in a bunch of text is not always easy. Now you can learn easier than ever.
Be accountable and finish
Last year some of our students struggled to finish the course. They didn’t reach the end in time to schedule their mentorship session with us. We loved meeting with our students and troubleshooting problems together. So this go around, we asked ourselves, how can we help more people get through the information and get their business running in high gear sooner?
We decided to scrap the mentorship session at the end and build in accountability throughout Paper to Profits. You’ll have assignments to finish during each chapter, and you’ll submit any questions you have about the section by a certain date. Then we will meet in Mastermind groups to address questions and learn from each other.
We’re giving you manageable, small deadlines along the way instead of one big one at the end. These will keep you on track and make it easier to finish the course—and ultimately build your business more successfully.
Learn all about intellectual property law with lawyer Bradley P. Hartman, including how creative small business owners can navigate trademarks and copyright.
Do you understand intellectual property law?
If the answer is no, you’re not alone by any stretch. There’s a reason why lawyers specialize in this particular area of law—it can be really complicated. For artistic souls like us, it can feel overwhelming to just think about copyright or trademark law, let alone try to do anything about it.
But we’ve got your back! On our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted with Bradley P. Hartman, an intellectual property and corporate lawyer at Hartman Titus. Besides being very knowledgeable about IP, he was able to explain copyrights and trademarks in a way that is easy to understand and very applicable to creative small business owners like us.
We can’t possibly summarize all of the amazing information he provided, or explain it as well as he did. You’ll have to listen to the episode to glean all of those insightful details. In the meantime, though, if you feel intimidated about calling up a lawyer for help, Brad talked to us about what to expect when working with a lawyer and how you can make the process as smooth as possible.
Choose the Right Lawyer
Lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Search for someone who is an expert in the field that you need—for copyrights and trademarks, that’s going to be an intellectual property lawyer. There are websites out there that will let you search by specialty.
Another thing to consider is location. Most intellectual property law and filing is done on a federal level. That means that an IP lawyer from any state can help you register trademarks, help you understand your legal options, etc. If you do end up filing a lawsuit because of copyright infringement or if you are writing up contracts, you will want a lawyer who is local to the applicable location. They will best know the intricacies of local law and be better able to help you.
When you call up a lawyer’s office for the first time, they will also make sure that they are a good fit for you. A secretary, paralegal, or sometimes the lawyer themselves will ask for some basic information—what your issue is, who the other party is, etc. They’ll check for conflicts of interest and will let you know if you should find a different lawyer. Don’t worry—they legally have to keep any information you provide confidential.
Understand the Cost
Right up front, make sure you know what a lawyer charges for an initial consultation. Some, like Brad, provide a free consultation. He’ll listen and determine if it’s something that he can help with before charging anything. Some lawyers will do these consultations for a flat fee and a block of time. Ask up front what they charge for the initial consultation.
After the initial consultation, lawyers charge in different ways. Some will provide a flat fee for a certain service. Others will give a ballpark number. Some will only quote an hourly rate. Before signing on as a client, make sure you understand how they charge.
Many lawyers are also willing to work with you on the cost issue. You can ask them what you can do to make things more affordable—for example, if you provide very clear evidence up front of a copyright infringement so that a lawyer doesn’t have to spend time digging through someone’s website. You can also ask about putting a cap on the total cost. Once the lawyer reaches that dollar amount, they will stop and let you know.
Be Prepared
This is Brad’s advice:
“The most important thing when you finally do talk to a lawyer is to be prepared. Go to the meeting knowing what is the information that’s important to share, what is it that you’re concerned with, and what is it that you want to accomplish.”
Because lawyers usually charge by the hour, you don’t want to eat into your time with them by getting off track or providing information that isn’t useful. If you go off on a tangent about how you started your business, you’ll literally end up paying for it in the end. Save that stuff for your Instagram followers. Have everything ready to go before meeting with your lawyer and be succinct.
Now for the nitty gritty details about intellectual property, listen now to the podcast. Our discussion was absolutely jam packed with information that will help you navigate IP. Seriously, your business needs this IP 101 crash course.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
What copyright and trademarks are.
How to protect your tutorials and workshop materials from being resold.
When to use copyright or trademark symbols.
How and when to register copyright and trademarks.
What you should do to protect your intellectual property internationally.
Advice on choosing a name that can be easily defended legally if needed.
Bonus tips from Paper to Profits about Instagram and shadowbanning.
To make things even better, you can join us and Brad on Clubhouse to ask questions and get even more amazing advice on March 25 at 7pm PST/10pm EST. You won’t want to miss out!
Also remember to join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We talked with Bob and Michelle Jorgensen all about their products, business, and how they face challenges in our latest episode.
If you’ve used doublette, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with Rose Mille.
We love our German crepe paper, and we were excited to chat with one of the distributors of our favorite product on our latest episode of Paper Talk. Bob and Michelle Jorgensen joined us to talk about the behind the scenes of their business and to get our feedback about what paper florists most want when it comes to crepe selection.
Michelle founded Rose Mille in 1998, and has long been a leader in bringing materials and workshops to crafters in many different disciplines. Listen to our conversation to hear all about the fascinating world of importing handmade supplies from Germany and more about what Rose Mille plans to offer next.
In the meantime, we were inspired by Bob and Michelle’s scrappy attitude when it comes to making lemonade out of lemons—or in their case, snowman noses out of spun cotton that was supposed to be much bigger. Here are some of the creative ways they have met challenges that can help us all push ourselves more.
Repurpose Materials
Just like in the snowman nose example, Bob and Michelle have had to be creative sometimes when it comes to the materials that arrive.
Their distributors in Germany source from small, cottage industries that produce handmade goods. That can mean that there is one person in a small village who makes carrot-shaped spun cotton, and if that person passes away without a child willing to take on that business, that product is just gone—or at least won’t be available at the same level of quality.
But when a shipment comes in that isn’t quite right, Bob and Michelle try to salvage what they can and repurpose materials. The teeny carrot-shaped spun cotton becomes snowman noses.
You may make a paper flower that doesn’t come out quite right, or maybe you can’t get your hands on the perfect material for your project. Don’t give up! Maybe you can turn that flower into something else. Maybe you can use a different paper. A little creativity can go a long way.
Welcome Competition
Michelle shared the story of how they first started carrying crepe paper. You can hear all the details in the episode, but in short, they were the only ones importing German crepe at the time.
Four years later, Lia Griffith started her partnership with Werola, the manufacturer of doublette. Werola decided to make some colors only available through Lia Griffith and no longer available through Rose Mille.
That’s frustrating when you’ve been in the game longer, right? Well, Michelle kept a good attitude about it. “There’s room for everybody,” she told us on the podcast. She acknowledged that Lia Griffith showed people what to do with crepe, which they hadn’t been doing at Rose Mille.
That kind of attitude gives you more room to move forward, which Bob and Michelle definitely are. Instead of bemoaning the fact that some color combinations aren’t available to them, they asked us which combos we’d like to see as paper florists. Which brings us to…
Ask Questions
We love that Bob and Michelle asked us what we and our listeners wanted as paper florists! There’s really no better way to get your customers what they want and to be successful as a business than by really listening to your clients.
If there is a doublette color combination that you’d like to see, or if there’s any other products that would help your art, email Rose Mille at [email protected]. You’ll hear in the podcast just how eager they are to hear from paper florists. Don’t be shy!
Listen to the episode now to learn even more about what Rose Mille has to offer and how they operate.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
New crepe paper and colors Rose Mille will offer this spring.
More about the fascinating cottage industries in Germany.
How they decide which products to offer.
Other challenges that they’ve had to overcome.
Remember to hop onto our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST, and to join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
We’ve brought in the amazing Christina Shay to help us update Paper to Profits to be easier for students to use and complete. Learn all about it in our latest episode.
Do you have a to-do list a mile long? Feel like you’ll never get through it all?
We’ll be honest: we’ve felt completely overwhelmed many, many times. You may think we’ve got our crap together, but we don’t always.
That’s one reason why we brought on Christina Shay to our Paper Talk team. She is an integrator who oversees our brands and helps us keep the big picture in mind. We chatted with her in our latest episode of Paper Talk about her journey from the corporate world to focusing on small businesses, plus our extensive revamps of Paper to Profits.
You can listen to the episode to hear all about Christina’s work with small businesses and what she sees as their biggest challenges. You’ll also want to hear all about our amazing changes to Paper to Profits, but we’ll give you a little peek here:
Softer Tone
As we’ve mentioned before, Jessie practiced law and Quynh has a background in business, marketing, and finance. This means that we have a wealth of information to pass on to other entrepreneurs, but we can also get caught up in business speak and legalese. If you don’t have a similar background, it might be difficult to follow some of the jargon.
Thanks to Christina’s work launching other creative business courses, she’s helped us soften some of this specialized language to make it more accessible to a wider audience. Christina herself has an educational and work background in business, but she has a keen eye for spotting areas with a stiff tone you’d probably encounter in a college course, not a class for artists. She’s been invaluable by shaping Paper to Profits into something a creative business owner of any background can benefit from.
We want our high value content to reach and help as many of you as possible, and a softened tone will help more people understand and get through our course.
Accountability
Last year we included a one-on-one mentorship session at the end of our inaugural Paper to Profits course. We wanted to help our students on an individual level with whatever was holding them back or giving them problems.
What we found, though, was that not everyone made it to the end of the course to get to that mentorship piece. Life happens. We’re all busy. We know that. So to help keep students on track, we’re shifting that mentorship piece and breaking it up over the entire length of the class.
We’ll meet together as a group after each section to discuss what was covered, problem solve together, and keep one another accountable. This means that you’ll have a deadline to finish a chapter.
If that sounds overwhelming, keep in mind that you can always go back to review content—and know that this will help you actually finish the course! Think about projects you’ve started that didn’t have a deadline. Did they get shoved to the back burner whenever something else came along? Are they still sitting unfinished in the closet collecting dust, either metaphorically or literally? Your business matters. It deserves some attention. Our Mastermind sessions will make you accountable to yourself.
Jessie and Quynh discuss how powerful it is to say no to certain projects. Learn how they judge when to turn down work and which factors you should weigh.
When starting out as a paper florist, every paid project feels like a blessing. You’re grateful for the money, the exposure, and the experience. But at some point, you’ll have to say no to a job. Maybe you don’t have the time, or maybe it’s more complicated: you’re starting to lose the joy that you first felt when making paper flowers.
So how do you decide when to say no to new work?
It’s not easy, we know. That’s why we talked all about it in our latest episode of Paper Talk. We delved into the factors you should consider, red flags to watch out for, and how to structure contracts to protect yourself when unforeseen circumstances turn a yes into a no late in the game.
We covered a lot of ground in the episode. Here’s a little taste of some of our advice when it comes to making a decision about a new project.
Find Your Style
Yes, we know—this is a big topic that is worthy of its own episode (like this one!). While we don’t have the space to discuss how to find your artistic voice here, we do want to emphasize why it’s important when it comes to saying no.
When you do the work to find your style, you’re really figuring out what brings you joy. You know what will feel authentic and satisfying. You’ll make things that you are proud of. If you can articulate what your style is and recognize it, then you can identify which projects will be the best fit for you. When you are approached by a potential client, it will be very clear if you are a good match for one another stylistically.
As Quynh said in the episode:
“You need to try it all at the beginning of your journey, but once you start clicking with certain clients and clicking with certain bouquets or flowers or projects that bring you joy, you need to bring that into your life even more and start doing less of the things that don’t make you happy.”
KonMari your paper flower journey and make more space for things that fit your style.
Trust Your Intuition
You’ve probably heard that you should trust your gut. We agree that this is usually sound advice when it comes to paper flowers. If a potential client feels shady and your gut is screaming at you to run, then run! Is your intuition telling you that something doesn’t fit your style or that you really don’t have time for it? Then say no.
Jessie did offer a useful insight in our episode, though. She pointed out that sometimes our first reaction to a new job is nervousness. Maybe it’s a type of project you’ve never done before. Maybe it’s a new flower. Maybe it’s a really famous client. Feeling nervous in those situations is completely normal!
Make sure that you take some time to examine your gut reactions. Is your intuition telling you something is wrong and not a good fit? Or are those butterflies a sign of excitement tinged with fear? Only you can tell.
Give Yourself Time
As Jessie said in the podcast,
“It takes time to learn when to say no.”
We gave lots of sound advice that will help you better decide when to say yes or no. But like many things in life, experience is the ultimate teacher. You should experiment and try new things, but you’ll also end up making mistakes along the way. That’s okay. You’ll be better for it in the end. Be gracious to yourself and give yourself time to figure it all out. It does get easier the longer you’ve been in business.
Listen to the podcast to hear even more things that you should consider when making these decisions, and how you can gain the confidence to say no.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
Factors to weigh when deciding to say no or yes.
How to find what kind of work you want to focus on.
When you should step out of your wheelhouse and try something new.
How long you can negotiate back and forth with potential clients.
Why you need a contract and if you should have an out clause.
Join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn why you should be on Clubhouse and how you can connect with us for our weekly meeting.
Have you heard about Clubhouse?
It’s an app that lets you gather together in virtual rooms to have audio-only conversations. Think somewhere between Zoom, Whatsapp, and old-fashioned phone calls. The app hasn’t been around that long, so don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with it. We’ve been exploring Clubhouse and chatted all about in our latest episode of Paper Talk.
You can hear all of the ins and outs of how the app works, You won’t want to miss out on all of the helpful things she shared in the podcast, but for now, here are some ideas to inspire your experimentation on your paper flower journey.
Focus on Listening
In the episode, Jessie pointed out how many visual cues we rely on during face-to-face conversations. You can pick up on some of these on Zoom, but if you’ve ever been to a video conference, you know that lag times and bad lighting, and tiny screens can make it easy to miss those cues. It’s easy to end up talking over each other and then having everything screech to a standstill while you figure out whose turn it is to speak.
But we don’t really do that with phone conversations. When we’re focused on one sense only—listening—we do a lot better in letting the conversation flow naturally. And that’s how Clubhouse feels.
Without visual cues or distractions, you’re really forced to listen to whoever is talking. That’s all you’re doing. You really get to delve into people’s thoughts more. You’re forced to concentrate on their words alone. As Jessie said, “This app is about listening to other people.” Simply and well put.
More Intimate Conversations
One thing that popped up in our podcast episode several times is just how intimate Clubhouse feels. Even if you’re in a big room with lots of other users, the conversation flows so well (because of what we mentioned above).
There’s also something really personable about hearing another person’s voice. You pick up on their inflection and the more nuanced meaning behind things than if you only read their words.
In the podcast, we talked more about why this intimate set-up makes such a difference for the level of civility, as well. Give it a listen to learn why you don’t have to worry about internet bullies, or if they do show up, how you can easily report and avoid them.
Connect with Other Paper Florists
Clubhouse rooms cover almost every topic imaginable, which is fantastic for making connections both in and out of our industry. As we covered in the episode, we’ve been able to chat with people we’ve never imagined being able to hold a conversation with before. That level of intimacy that Clubhouse builds is really amazing compared to other social media platforms.
We’re particularly excited to start a weekly gathering of paper florists (or any craft or paper enthusiasts who want to join). There are so many amazing people in our community who we haven’t been able to meet in person. While we’re still holding out hope for that in the near future, we want to hear your voices and have those more personal conversations with you.
Listen to the podcast to hear how you can get invited to Clubhouse and how to join us.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How Clubhouse works and how to learn more about it.
Why you will benefit from using it.
How to get invited by us (because it is invite only).
How Clubhouse differs from Zoom, phone calls, or other social media.
Why you won’t have to deal with internet bullies on Clubhouse.
Join our weekly meeting on Clubhouse on Thursdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST! Also, join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this. Thank you for listening!
We talk with paper florist Sue Bowen about how to experiment with new materials, techniques, and styles in order to find your artistic voice.
How do you find your paper flower voice? Or if you’ve been a paper florist for awhile, how do you help your artistic style evolve naturally? Style isn’t something you can copy, at least not successfully. It has to come from a genuine place inside of you. But how in the world do you hone in on that?
With experimentation!
Sue Bowen is one of our moderators for our Facebook group and is always ready with encouragement and helpful insight (if you haven’t joined, you really should!). In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Sue, and our conversation kept circling back to this need to experiment.
You won’t want to miss out on all of the helpful things she shared in the podcast, but for now, here are some ideas to inspire your experimentation on your paper flower journey.
Experiment with Materials
Sue first started making paper flowers from a variety of materials. She didn’t start with crepe paper. She tried new things. She figured out what worked and what didn’t. She decided what she liked. If she hadn’t been open to using new materials, she wouldn’t have discovered her love of crepe paper flowers. What a loss that would be for our paper flower community!
Don’t be afraid to use a new material, be it crepe or color tool or whatever. What’s the worst that could happen? That flower is a disaster, and you move on. You’ve learned something! But more likely, you’ll find something that works even better than what you were using before.
Experiment with Techniques
We asked Sue what she’s been experimenting with lately, and she told us all about the many coloring techniques she’s tried. Some of them have worked better than others. She doesn’t know how colorfast some of the newer techniques will be, but she embraces that and let’s it lead her to new places.
There’s no one right way to do anything with paper flowers. What works for us might not work for you. Yes, we can learn from each other, but at the end of the day, you simply have to try things out for yourself. And if none of us ever explored new ways to do things, we’d never grow beyond our current techniques. Our industry would stagnate
Make sure to listen to the episode for more specifics about Sue’s color experimentations, including her foray into natural dyes.
Experiment with Style
Don’t worry if your flowers don’t look like other artists’ work. Make changes to tutorials. Do what feels right to you. We loved Sue’s insight:
“It’s about making your flowers as natural as they can be...finding your own style, your own way. And I think that’s what people who are learning need to know they’re not trying to copy that other person’s flower, that the flower that they make is fine. It doesn’t have to look like that flower. It’s your flower.”
When you explore a wider breadth of new materials and techniques, you’ll be able to better figure out what works for you. Be bold with your stylistic choices, and make some mistakes along the way. In the end, your artistry will only benefit.
We chatted about much more with Sue, and you can hear it all by listening to this latest episode of Paper Talk.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How Sue’s paper flower journey started.
Her biggest tip for improving paper flowers.
How she works through written tutorials, even though video ones are easier for her.
Where she sources her crepe paper in the UK.
How she experiments with colors.
Remember to join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Welcome to our new Over Coffee segment called “Q & A with Our Community” where we answer questions from listeners about anything paper flower related. Be sure to leave your questions in the comments below or email us at any time!
In today’s episode, we answer questions about how to pack for shipping and what shipping methods we use. We also talk about the different paper mediums we use and how we decide which one to use for which flowers.
Be sure to leave your questions in the comments below or email us at any time!
In today’s episode, we answer questions about how to pack for shipping and what shipping methods we use. We also talk about the different paper mediums we use and how we decide which one to use for which flowers.
We chat with Martina Polelli about the history of the Italian crepe paper company, their products, and where to buy around the world.
Italian crepe paper is beloved by paper florists for good reason. We love the consistency, the quality, and the wide-range of options available for our artistry.
In past episodes of Paper Talk we’ve chatted with the U.S. distributor of Italian crepe, Carte Fini, but we wanted to take things even closer to the source of Italian crepe paper goodness. In our latest episode, we talked with Martina Polelli of Cartotecnica Rossi, the actual manufacturer in Italy of one of our favorite crepe paper.
Martina discussed the company’s history, their product offerings, their process for choosing new products, and much more. You’ll love this little peek into the world behind the medium that makes our industry possible.
If you can’t listen to the episode right away, here is a little taste of some of our favorite things about Cartotecnica Rossi.
Established History
The company Cartiera Rossi (which would eventually lead to the Cartotecnica Rossi we know today) was founded in 1878, and soon became one of the largest paper factories in Europe. Even over a hundred years ago customers turned their crepe and tissue paper into beautiful creations ranging from jewelry to hairpieces to flowers. Yes—while our modern industry is still growing and feels very young, crafters have been making paper flowers for a long time.
Being a new company isn’t a bad thing. That said, wisdom does come with time. Cartotecnica Rossi has had over one hundred years to continually improve their paper, and it shows. Paper florists all over the world know that they can trust Italian crepe to be consistent and versatile.
Paper Talk Patrons can see a photo of the factory by watching the episode on Patreon. You’ll also get a look at all of the papers Martina shared, as well as a fun demonstration of how much the 90g can stretch compared to the 60g. Not a Patron yet? Find more information here.
New Products
To the delight of many paper florists, Cartotecnica Rossi released their 90 gram crepe paper last year. If you haven’t used it yourself, you have probably seen it used by another artist. Let us tell you: we are big fans. As Martina showed us, the 90g has five times more stretch than the 60g, but maintains that delicacy that makes for gorgeous and realistic petals.
Martina also shared with us that there will be new colors released in the 90g lineup. While she couldn’t share specifics about these colors yet, she did tell us that they surveyed artists to learn which colors they most wanted. As Martina said, “We always start by listening to our audience. As I always say, it makes no sense to offer chocolate cake to someone when they ask for apple.”
We love Cartotecnica Rossi’s dedication to innovation and to listening to customers. We’re always excited to see what they come out with next.
Listen to the episode for more information about how they choose new products, why they decided to make the 90g, and how you can get your hands on a color catalogue to help you navigate all of the options.
Environmentally Friendly and Safe
Not all crepe paper is manufactured by the same standards. Cartotecnica Rossi is ISO 14001 certified (meaning that they meet international standards for environmental performance), and they guarantee that their dyes are non-toxic.
Since we are constantly manipulating crepe paper with our bare hands, it’s comforting to know that our medium is not going to cause damage in the long term. If you have children or pets, it’s also nice to know that if they get into your paper stash—heaven forbid!—that they won’t be harmed.
Our conversation with Martina covered many other topics that you won’t want to miss. You can hear all of it by listening to our latest episode of Paper Talk.
Our Questions, Answered by Cartotecnica Rossi
We gathered some questions from the members of our Paper Talk Podcast Facebook group and sent them off to Cartotecnica Rossi for answers:
Why do some of the crepe paper respond to bleaching and others do not?
Because different pigments are needed to create different colors. The pigment allows the refraction of certain frequencies of light. There are pigments that more than others are consumed with light
Do you offer for sale any untreated crepe paper that is unbleached and has not been dyed?
All the papers to be creped are treated in some way, the paper itself for its formation requires treatment with glues and other compounds. There are cards with different concentrations of pingmeti, yes.
When we apply wet glue to the 180g crepe paper (the green coloured papers in particular) it tends to change the colours of the paper. Is there a way to prevent that from happening?
It is a chemistry and PH problem specifically. These days we are analyzing the problem of greens and we plan to carry out some tests to red
Is crepe paper a "green" product? Is it eco-friendly? Does Cartotecnica Rossi use an environmentally friendly manufacturing process to produce the crepe paper?
Cartotecnica Rossi has always been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its production, not only are we ISO 14001 certified but for years we have opted to use papers from renewable sources (all our papers are FSC) and for years we have been using non-toxic dyes and respectful of health without considering that most of the components used are of natural origin. Having said that, a project is being studied to constantly reduce the environmental impact of our business. That said, we are convinced that the main source of pollution is people's bad behavior. It is apparently easier to eliminate a product like plastic than to nod off bad habits. There is a lot of hypocrisy in this regard. Let's tell the truth
How can someone become an official distributor of your products?
Contact us, and together we will evaluate the feasibility of the project
Can you consider creating a crepe paper that is a "Red Ferrari" red?
Red Ferrari is protected by copyright, we still have a good range of reds and they do not rule out that they may be improved in the future
Are any of your crepe paper colourfast and/or water-resistant?
Our papers are not color fast. We have different types of water resistant papers such as printed crepe papers and metallized papers. We also have a line of solid colored papers that do not fade but rarely sell requests because the colors are less bright
Can you consider treating your crepe paper with UV protection to prevent fading?
Yes, but it is not easy to find a truly effective product
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
All about the different products Cartotecnica Rossi offers.
The history of the company and how crepe has been used in the past.
How they choose new colors.
Where to buy their crepe around the world.
How to tag your creations on Instagram so that Martina sees them.
Remember to join our Facebook group where you can ask questions about how other paper florists use Italian crepe, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn from our guest Poy T. Granati and how she has made the most of her time while building her paper flower business.
Building a small business means wearing many different hats. How do you find time to advertise, bookkeep, communicate, network, and create?
With time management.
This isn’t just a catchphrase. We’re all busy. We have to make the most of the time that we do have so that our businesses can thrive. But we know that it’s easier said than done.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Poy T. Granati of Summer Space Studio about how she has built up her paper flower business in a relatively short period of time. When starting out, she was working a full-time job while teaching workshops and creating flowers at night. How did she manage it all? By making the most of her time.
Our conversation covered a wide array of topics, ranging from how she uses her advertising background to appeal to customers, to how she goes about partnering with shops to promote her work. You’ll want to listen to everything she had to say, but here’s some of the tips we discussed about managing time that will help you get more done for your paper flower business.
Break Tasks Down
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by something you had to do? Maybe it was a series of blog posts, or a tutorial that needed to be written. Maybe you just don’t know how you’ll ever figure out that new flower for a commission.
Break it down!
Poy’s educational background in design has helped her learn how to break down processes and take things one step at a time, but you can do it, too!
Work out what steps you need to take to complete your task, then do just the first part. Write that first blog post. Jot down just the supplies needed for that tutorial. Look up pictures of that new flower. Don’t worry about what comes next. Complete the first step before you think about the next, and before you know it, you’ll be halfway through.
Block Off Time
In order to get things done, you need to block off time. Dedicate time just for paper flowers, and make it a realistic period of time that you can repeat every day.
Poy told us about a course in her graduate program that encouraged students to dedicate a small amount of time to work on one skill for one hundred days. The idea was that we can’t always block out eight hours to work on something new, but by giving yourself a little bit of time each day, you are continually practicing and growing. By the end, you’ve got a habit.
That class was actually the beginning of Poy’s paper flower journey, which you can hear more about in the episode. The details about the class and how it changed Poy’s life are very interesting, and you won’t want to miss them.
Give Yourself Deadlines
Without a deadline, you can push off tasks and goals for ages. No judgement here—we all do it. But in order to grow as a business, you do need to buckle down and get your work done at some point. Nothing motivates more than a deadline.
Currently, Poy is giving herself a six month deadline for focusing solely on her paper flower business. She has milestones to reach, goals to achieve, and an end date to keep in mind so that she doesn’t lose sight of what she should be doing.
Of course, simply setting a deadline doesn’t matter if you don’t stick to it. If you’ve done commission work, you’ve probably noticed that you will stick to other people’s deadlines more than your own personally imposed deadlines. It’s hard to self-motivate! In the episode you can hear more about ways that we keep ourselves on track and hold ourselves to the deadlines we set.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
More ways you can make the most of your time.
How Poy first started making paper flowers.
Why you should let go of perfectionism to become a better artist.
How to choose collaborators, like stores that will host workshops or feature your work.
How to target your ideal customer.
Listen to our latest episode of Paper Talk to learn all of this and more. Remember to join our Facebook group, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this!
Learn about the many sources of imposter syndrome and how you can overcome it as a paper florist. Includes special guest Margie Keates.
Can I raise my prices or try something new? What if I fail? What if people don’t like it? Do I even deserve to be called an artist?
If these doubts sound familiar, you’ve met our old friend imposter syndrome.
Can we let you in on a secret? We’ve all dealt with feeling like our art wasn’t good enough. We’ve all carried hurtful comments with us for years. Every paper florist, no matter how put together they seem, has to deal with these feelings on a regular basis.
The amazing Margie Keates of The Lovely Ave joined us in our latest episode of Paper Talk to cover this very topic. All three of us have extensive experience with imposter syndrome, and our conversation delved into the many places these feelings come from and how we handle those doubts.
You should listen to the entire episode to glean all sorts of useful insights about how you can understand and tame your imposter syndrome. If you can’t listen right away, we’ve got three tips for tackling one of the sources of imposter syndrome: a lack of support from others.
Mute Unhelpful Voices
Starting a business takes a leap of faith. Many of us left successful careers in other fields to start our paper flower businesses. That’s scary enough as it is, but it’s even worse when someone close to us doesn’t believe in our decision.
You probably have a memory of someone you respect or love not taking your art seriously. A disbelieving look, a series of questions about our sanity—you get the picture. In the episode, we revisited some of our past hurts and how they’re still with us years later. Seriously, they’re persistent.
It’s okay for you to avoid those Negative Nancies. We’re trained to be polite and not step on other people’s toes, but if someone is hurting you, you don’t have to stay friends with them. Sure, be polite with your words—don’t keep subjecting yourself to someone who is unhelpful. You don’t need more doubts piling up and sticking around for ages.
This goes for online, as well. If following a certain paper florist makes your imposter syndrome flare up, then hit that mute button. Unfollow, if you have to. It’s okay.
Find a Supportive Community
Sometimes you can altogether avoid interacting with negative voices, but what do you do when you can’t? What if your dad just doesn’t understand how you could go all in on paper flowers, and he seems to bring it up at every family dinner?
You need an avalanche of support to drown out those unhelpful voices that you can’t avoid. Our best suggestion is our Facebook group. Yes, we talk about it a lot, but only because it is seriously amazing.
Our community encompasses paper florists from around the world who gather to share tips, ask questions, and cheer each other on. It’s overflowing with the positivity you need to bolster yourself against those unhelpful comments in your life.
In some ways, it’s also easier to share your difficulties and successes with people who live halfway across the globe. You don’t have to sit across from them at the next family dinner and fear that they’ll comment on your latest venture—and if our community was there, we guarantee they would only ever give positive feedback.
Ask a Mentor
The paper flower industry is fairly new—practically a baby compared to many other crafts. All of us started our businesses from scratch and often without much guidance. We’ve dealt with imposter syndrome at every step of the way: from first starting out, to gaining our footing, to becoming established and respected voices in the community.
Who better to ask for help along the way than those who have been through it? Our entire episode of Paper Talk is basically a mini mentoring session dedicated to helping people like you learn from our experience with imposter syndrome. We want to help. We love it!
That’s why we’re so excited to offer another opportunity to be mentored by us. On Saturday, February 20 we’re hosting another Paper X Talk. Margie will join us to delve into imposter syndrome even more. You will walk away with tools on how to deal with imposter syndrome, how to find your voice, and how you can learn to be an elastic artist who tries new things. Tickets are only $10 in advance, and you’ll have access to the recording afterwards so that you can reference it later.
Even better, after the main conversation and Q&A you will have the opportunity to add on a breakout mentoring session for $5 with one of the three of us. We’ll each take on a different topic and will only offer five spots for each room so that we can have an interactive discussion. This is a fantastic opportunity to ask us questions and start conversations about what you most need help with.
As Margie said,
“I wish I would have had this when I first started, even year three of my journey.”
Hear more about this lecture and our entire discussion about imposter syndrome by listening to our latest episode of Paper Talk.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
The many sources of imposter syndrome and how we deal with them.
Our early struggles establishing ourselves as artists.
How to walk that line between imitation and inspiration.
Why you should stretch yourself as an artist and try new things.
Overcoming that polite urge not to disregard people’s opinions, even if they’re holding us back.
Remember to join our Facebook group, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn which scissors Devin Head recommends for paper flower making and how you can best care for them so that they live a long and sharp life.
Could you make a paper flower without scissors?
For paper florists like us, the thought is quite terrifying. Imagine a peony without the distinctively shaped petal edges, or making flower centers without fringe. Our craft requires precise cuts, and that means our scissors need to be top notch to do the job correctly. We cut out thousands of petals and leaves. Our tools should be up to the task.
That’s why our latest episode of Paper Talk was all about scissors! Some of our favorite scissors in the world come from a Japanese company called Kai. They are super sharp, easy to grip, and last ages. We chatted with Devin Head, Kai’s Regional Sales Manager located in Washington state, about which scissors he recommends for paper florists and how to best care for them.
If you don’t have specialized scissors for various jobs, you are making your art so much more difficult than it needs to be. As Devin said,
“That’s the conversation we have…when I’m at a street show talking to a husband and he’s like, ‘How many scissors do you need?’ Well, there’s a job for each one.
You don’t have make-do any longer.
Here’s our definitive guide of Kai Scissors for paper florists:
Essential Scissors for Any Job
These three scissors will cover almost any job you come across as a paper florist. Quynh uses and loves these three, and even included them in her Holiday Posey Boxes and Starter Box, plus you can get her favorite set in her store. Put these on your crafting table, and you’ll be set to tackle almost any paper flower.
The Kai 5210 is 8 inches and perfect for most general cutting. They’ll cut through any crepe, and since they’re a bit longer, they’ll do it quickly.
The Kai 5135 is 5 ½ inches long and great for detailed work. Use these for fringe, the edges of petals, and any cuts that are close together.
The Kai 5100 is 4 inches and has a sharp, small tip for extremely detailed work and difficult to reach places. You won’t use this one as often as the other two, but when you need it, you really need it.
Curved Scissors for Tight Spots
As the name implies, these scissors are curved to help you reach tight spots without damaging your work. Here’s what Quynh had to say about using them:
“They’re really great for getting into those small details when you’re creating those petals with the ruffled edge… What I do is I take those curved scissors and I make little swoops inside the petals and then you can ruffle them even more, and you get into those really tiny little corners.”
The Kai 5100c is 4 inches long like its similarly named cousin above. However, the 5100c has a slight curve at its tip. Because our work is three-dimensional, we sometimes have to cut around and between curves. You can imagine how a scissor that works with that instead of against it is so ingenious.
The Kai 5130 is 5 inches and adds even more curve to the equation. Both the tip and the handle are curved, giving this pair of scissors even more maneuverability for getting into tough to reach spaces.
Multi-Purpose Scissors
Because our craft involves wires so often, we asked Devin if Kai manufactured wire cutters, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that they do have a multi-purpose scissor with a cutout for wire cutting.
The Kai 5160 is 6 inches long and has a serrated edge. For paper florists, the little notch that helps cut small wires quickly is a fantastic bonus.
We chatted even more about Kai’s history, its lineup of scissors, and very importantly, how to care for scissors so that they have a long and sharp life. Listen to our latest episode of Paper Talk to hear all of Devin’s great advice.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How Kai Scissors are made.
When and how you should sharpen your scissors.
How to best store your scissors.
How to contact Devin if you have suggestions for paper scissors.
Remember to join our Facebook group, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Learn three ways that Inga Peterson keeps her fans happy and increases customer engagement with her paper flower business, and how you can help your supporters become patrons.
Have you ever had someone in your life who cheers you on, no matter what? That person who is so excited to see what you do next and want to support your artist journey?
That person is a patron.
We all need people to support us, and not just in our personal lives. You need fans who will encourage you along your paper flower journey and help you build your small business. That’s one of the reasons we started Paper Talk—to build a place where we can share, connect, and grow together!
Of course, when it comes to your business, you need more than just peers to cheer you on. You also need customers (we’ve all got bills to pay!). Helping your customers become patrons of your work means that they are more likely to buy from you again and to recommend your work to others.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Inga Peterson about how she engages her supporters and harnesses their love of her art in order to build up her paper flower business. We love her work as a paper florist and educator. Count us as some of her most ardent supporters cheering her on!
The great news is that you can easily employ these same strategies to boost your customer engagement. Below is an outline of three big takeaways from our conversation with Inga, but be sure to listen to the episode for even more great insights about building your business and improving your artistry.
Create Understandable Tutorials
Many paper florists move into the education realm at some point. While you may have mastered paper flowers, you need to also master techniques that will make you the best possible teacher. In order to cultivate loyal patrons, you need to have a fantastic product that they can love.
For Inga, that means not rushing things and breaking everything down to be readily understandable. As she said,
“It’s really my goal for someone who’s doing a tutorial of mine to not only be able to make that flower, but also to understand my process of decision making along the way of making that flower so they can transfer that to another project that they’re working on.”
When making tutorials, always keep in mind the student’s perspective. Try to think back to when you were new to paper flowers. You didn’t understand every term. You didn’t know how to do certain techniques. Make sure your tutorials are accessible for everyone, no matter their level of expertise.
If you need to, go back and revise your old tutorials to make them readily accessible to all of your customers. By making your tutorials easy to use, your customers will have greater success, love the end results, recommend you to others, follow your social media—you see where this is going. In short, they’ll be more likely to become an ardent follower.
Inga shared even more fantastic advice about writing and using tutorials in our episode, as well as which tutorials she used when first starting out.
“If you’re a brand new paper flower maker, just know that making all these flowers…if you feel like they’re not quite there yet, that is part of the process. You will get there.” - Inga
Get Supported on Patreon
To keep your paper flower business afloat, you need money. In our line of work, income can fluctuate from month to month. One way to keep a steady stream of income is to use Patreon.
If you’re unfamiliar with Patreon, it’s a way for your supporters to pledge a recurring amount to you, such as $5 a month. One of the great things about Patreon is that there are no upfront costs. You only pay a percentage of what a Patron gives you.
In return for their support, you can provide your Patrons with exclusive rewards and content. You can set up levels of rewards based on how much Patrons pledge, and there’s lots of flexibility in how you can set up your system or change it later.
That means you can ask your supporters to pledge a very small amount, even as little as $1 a month. Many people who are casual fans are willing to give something like that if you ask. Then, they receive those awesome rewards and content that no one else is getting, thus boosting their engagement with your brand, helping them love your work more—you get the picture.
You can hear all about the kinds of rewards Inga offers and some of our tips for using Patreon by listening to the episode. You can also check out our Patreon page to see how we’ve set things up.
Ask for Reviews
If your fans can’t become a Patron for whatever reason, they can still support you without spending money. One easy way is by writing a review about your work. We all love reading reviews before buying, and your paper flowers are no different.
Of course, that means that your clients and supporters need to know how and where to leave a review.
As Jessie shared in our episode, she reached out to some customers and asked for reviews. Some of them already had something written, but were waiting for various reasons to post them. That little nudge from her and a little bit of info on what would best help her, led to positive reviews being posted for everyone to read. Those supporters got a little bit of help to become superfans.
It might feel uncomfortable at first to ask for reviews. That’s normal! We’ve all felt that way. But your customers love your work for a reason. They want to share about it. Help them do it!
We chatted about much more with Inga, including more about how she has built her business and how her fine arts background has informed her work. You can hear all of this and more by listening to our latest episode of Paper Talk.
On her fine arts background: “A lot of it comes down to learning how to take an idea from just a concept into reality. It’s that whole art and design process of, ‘Hey I’ve got this idea, how do I get this from my head into the physical realm?’” - Inga
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How to create accessible and admired tutorials.
Tips for best using tutorials.
How to use Patreon as a creator.
Fine art principles that will help you make paper flowers.
How Inga runs her Zoom workshops successfully.
For even more help in building your paper flower business, join our Facebook group, and please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
Here are the podcasts that Inga mentions in this episode:
Cultivating Place: https://www.cultivatingplace.com/
The Jealous Curator: https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/art-for-your-ear-podcast/
Ologies: https://www.alieward.com/ologies
Guest Gerry Rosales talks about building up his paper flower brand in the Philippines and shifting customer perceptions of paper crafts.
Anyone can make a paper flower.
There’s something beautifully hopeful in that statement, but it can also create problems when that idea prevents consumers from buying your products. How can you help them value your skills, time, and art?
We chatted all about this in our latest episode of Paper Talk with Gerry Rosales. Gerry is the artist behind ThePaperblooms, and he has worked hard to change consumer perceptions of paper flowers. You know that we here at Paper Talk are all about building up our industry as a whole, and perceptions of paper florists are a big part of making that happen.
Our conversation touched on many things that you can do to change perceptions of your products and brand. You won’t want to miss out on a minute of it. If you can’t listen right away, read on to learn some of the helpful takeaways we discussed. They’ll help you feel ready to shift perceptions and build up an enthusiastic customer base.
Educate Consumers
Gerry lives in the Philippines and has had to overcome the preconception that paper crafts aren’t worth paying for. As we chatted about in the episode, paper flowers in Southeast Asia have long been associated with not being able to afford fresh florals for things like weddings. They often have a cheap, DIY stigma attached.
This attitude is something paper florists, including us, have encountered around the world to varying degrees. How do you convince potential customers that your product is valuable?
“I tried to challenge the fresh flower industry by saying ThePaperblooms are ‘More than fresh.’” - Gerry
We delved into this question with Gerry on the podcast, but one of the big answers was education. He shared how he educated potential customers at bridal fairs. The payoff wasn’t immediate, but with some patience and hard work, his labor paid off. Listen to the episode to hear even more about how Gerry did this and how long it took him to see results.
Even if you don’t see the benefits right away, take the time to educate people about paper flowers. Many consumers still don’t know that paper is an option or can be a high-end, artistic product. You may have to talk to a hundred people before you find a customer, but you might not have found that person if you hadn’t tried. Plus, some of those other people might come back much later thanks to your hard work.
Build a Premium Brand
When educating potential customers, one thing that has helped us sell paper flowers as a valuable product is by making our brands feel premium. Even if your paper flowers are high-end and gorgeous, people might not notice—especially online—if your branding is cheap or sloppy.
Think about everything consumers encounter when interacting with your business: name, website, logo, social media, quality of photos, packaging, and on and on. Gerry used his background as a graphic artist and photographer to build up a business that looked and felt as beautiful as his flowers.
In the episode, Gerry shared several other ways that he built up his brand as premium—and they are things that you can do! You can’t build a high-end brand overnight, but following our advice on the podcast will give you a headstart.
Value Your Skills
Of course, if you’re going to market yourself as a premium brand, you have to believe it yourself.
Like Gerry, many of us started making paper flowers for our own weddings. The appeal is fairly obvious: you can control the end result and save money. That’s why many of us became paper florists in the beginning.
So how do you get past that DIY hobby mentality? Here’s what Gerry had to say:
“Paper craft, anyone can do, but not anyone has time to do it or not anyone has the skill to do it. It’s more than the paper flowers that they are buying or they’re paying for. It’s the skill. It’s the time of the maker.”
Paper flowers are a skilled art. We are skilled artists. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are an artist. We know it can be difficult to do, because we’ve had our own doubts about our worth as well. Just remember: if you believe in your work, customers will too.
For even more great advice on changing perceptions, listen to our latest episode of Paper Talk. Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
More about how to build up paper flowers as a premium product.
Why skill matters more than materials.
How Gerry chose his business name and tagline.
Ideas to involve kids safely in paper flower making.
How Covid-19 is affecting the industry in the Philippines.
Gerry is an admin of our Facebook group where he shares wonderful tips for paper florists every Friday. Join to share, connect, and grow with us. And please consider supporting us on Patreon for even more great content like this.
“In whatever industry—I’ve been into photography, I’m a graphic artist, I’m a wedding planner—and I will always say this: do the most with what you have...Yes, materials will make the outcome better, but it’s still your hands, your skills, your level of artistry that will speak more than just the materials.” - Gerry
Two professional paper florists share their artistic and business goals for 2021 and give insight into how you can improve yourself this coming new year.
The last year threw us all for a loop. Like us, you probably had to cancel plans and restructure your goals for your paper flower business.
So what will 2021 bring?
We have hope that things on the Covid front will improve enough to gain back some semblance of normality, but one of the biggest lessons we learned from 2020 is to be flexible. With that in mind, in our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted about what we want to achieve this coming year and how we plan to do it among such uncertainty.
This post will help you feel ready for this year because you’ll be inspired by goals that will help any paper florist improve their artistry and business.
Learn to Say No
When you’re building a small business, it’s difficult to turn down work. We don’t all have the luxury to do so, either. But if you’re in the lucky position of being able to be choosy about your projects, say no to paper flower jobs you’re not passionate about.
Jessie said this about saying no to commissioned work:
"This year, what I’m hoping for is to have my deadlines under my own control. So I’m hoping to be able to make art for myself and make a collection of some sort where I can really express myself. As much as I love commissions, it’s not really about expressing you. Part of it is, but there’s certain requirements, and you don’t really get to go free for all in terms of exactly what you want." - Jessie
You need your paper flower business to make money, but don’t lose sight of the artistry that drove you to become a paper florist in the first place.
We all have obligations outside of paper flowers. Make the most of your limited time to focus on what will bring you the most joy.
Give Yourself Time and Grace
If you know Quynh, you know that she works a lot. A LOT, a lot. When her husband took two weeks off in December, she was still planning on getting work done. She has plans to revamp The Posey Box, and there were certain things she wanted to complete before the new year.
She didn’t get everything done—and that’s okay.
Author Nora Roberts touched on this subject once. When asked about balancing time between writing and family, she compared it to juggling. The key to success? Knowing which balls are plastic and which are glass. If you drop a glass ball, it will shatter. A plastic one will simply bounce, and you can pick it up later.
As paper florists and entrepreneurs, we have to figure out what absolutely needs to be focused on right now (the glass balls), and which ones can wait (the plastic). In December, Quynh dropped some of the plastic Posey Box balls, but that’s okay. They’ll be waiting for her when she’s ready to pick them up.
Be forgiving of yourself when you need more time and don’t worry if you can’t get it all done at once. No one can.
Serve the Paper Flower Community
If you’ve spent any time at all with Paper Talk, you probably already know why we started our Facebook group, our podcast, workshops, online courses, and more. We are passionate about helping the paper flower community share, connect, and grow together.
That continues to be one of our biggest goals for 2021, and it should be one of yours, as well. When we build each other up, all of us become better artists and more successful entrepreneurs.
"The business side is always the hard part for creatives, because our brains are not there… There are so many hats you have to wear, from being a marketing person, a bookkeeper, the customer rep for your business. There are so many pieces you have to think about. And we’re hoping Paper to Profit gives you a checklist of things you need to go through and think about." - Quynh
This year still has some uncertainty thanks to Covid, but we will definitely be opening back up our Paper to Profits online course sometime soon. We also hope to start meeting up in person again! If all goes well, we plan to host a retreat at Holly Chapple’s flower farm in Virginia. It will be the perfect opportunity for us to gather, share knowledge, and build friendships as paper florists.
To hear even more about our plans for the coming year, listen to our latest episode of Paper Talk. Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
More of what you should be focusing on in 2021.
The rest of our artistic and business goals for the new year.
Why we chose our goals and how we plan to achieve them.
What will be added to Paper to Profits this year.
What we’re watching to stay sane right now.
Remember to join our Facebook group and support us on Patreon for even more great content that will help your paper flower business thrive.
Learn the costs of creating a podcast and how you can create something polished that people will want to listen to.
If you’ve ever scrolled through podcasts on your favorite listening platform, you know there are countless shows out there. It must be easy to produce one if so many people are creating them, right? Just hit record on your computer and talk.
Not quite.
The truth is that a podcast is much more than a recorded conversation. One of the most important aspects of a podcast is the audience. If no one listens to your podcast, it doesn’t matter how much great information you’re sharing. You need to reach people, and that comes with costs.
Over our two seasons of producing Paper Talk, we’ve learned all about those costs. In our latest episode, we discussed what it takes to create a podcast and why we continue to do so.
This post covers some of the most important points we chatted about. After reading this you’ll feel prepared to create a podcast of your own because you’ll understand the costs upfront, and you’ll be able to produce a polished podcast right from the start.
Hard Costs of Running a Podcast
So how much money will it take you to run a podcast? It obviously depends on your situation, but there are some set costs that you will have to tackle.
At the very least, you will need to host your podcast somewhere online. There are some free options out there, but keep in mind that those come with non-financial costs and won’t provide you with the many tools available elsewhere. We host Paper Talk on Simplecast for $25 a month. There are other options out there, but when we priced things out, we found Simplecast to be the best value for our money. We also love that it is very easy to use.
We also recommend editing your audio. Some podcasts don’t, but it makes a huge difference in the end (we’ll explain more about why this matters in a bit). We use Adobe Suite, which costs around $50 a month.
If you want to produce a more polished podcast and reach a wider audience, you’ll also want to look into a website (we use Squarespace for $20), recording equipment (including video conferencing like Zoom for $12 a month), an email provider (Kajabi for $150), and a graphics creator (we highly recommend Canva at $30 a month). We also employ a copywriter who saves us lots of time and brainspace and costs around $45 an episode or around $200 a month.
You can decide what your podcast needs, but we’ve found that all of these costs really help us create a more polished and accessible end product.
On a whole, Paper Talk costs us around $500 a month to produce, which is why we decided to ask for your help to keep it going! You can support us on Patreon and sponsor an episode.
Soft Costs of Running a Podcast
Now that you’ve seen the numbers, let’s talk about time. It’s easy to discount how much time you are spending on something like a small business or podcast. But your time is valuable! You only have so much of it.
Some of the things we pay for help save us time, like our copywriter. But simply buying something like Canva won’t make graphics magically appear, ready to use. Canva has great templates and makes creating beautiful graphics really easy and quick, but it’s still time out of your day. Same with editing your audio, researching guests, sending newsletters, updating your website, and on and on.
For us as paper florists and small business owners, time spent on the podcast really means using time that we could have been utilizing to produce paid work. We love sharing information with our community and connecting with guests on our podcast, but it is largely a labor of love. As Quynh said, “We do these things [like teaching online courses] to pay for the things we’re passionate about. The podcast, we are so passionate about it.”
Realize that you will need to pour time into your podcast and that it won’t pay you back immediately. Many podcasts like ours ask for listeners to donate on Patreon for this very reason. To produce a quality podcast, you need to be willing to spend your time on it.
Creating a Polished Podcast
Now, you know what it takes to make a podcast. Here’s our pitch for why you should go the extra mile to create something polished.
Listeners want to listen to more polished podcasts, even if they don’t realize it. Taking the time to edit out fifty “ums” from every episode is tedious, but it will make a big difference in the end. As Quynh said in our episode,
I know with Jessie and myself, we like the polished look, the polished sound...I make an extra effort to make sure that the podcast does sound polished for you guys, so it makes it easier for you to listen to.
You also need to create a solid platform and presence on the web to help you reach more of those listeners. Again, people will notice if you nail that polished aesthetic. Take the time to make beautiful graphics, to update your website, to post on social media. More people will be drawn to your podcast.
Yes, you can keep your monetary and time costs down by skimping on some of these things, but keep in mind the drawbacks if you decide not to focus on something we’ve discussed.
To hear even more about how we produce our podcast, listen to our latest episode. Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How we research guests and choose topics.
The costs of running a podcast.
How we edit our podcast to create a polished product.
What we’ve learned to do better now that we’ve produced two seasons of Paper Talk.
Why we’re so passionate about sharing valuable content through our podcast.
If you want to share, connect, and grow more with us, join our Facebook group or support us on Patreon where you’ll get even more behind the scenes looks at Paper Talk.
**Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and podcast. Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer.
We chat more with paper florist Wendy Anderson about how she’s grown her paper flower hobby into a business.
How do you take the leap from hobby to business?
It can feel terrifying, and even if you’ve taken the leap and started down the business path, you are still going to encounter bumps along the way.
Fortunately, there are many paper florists who have successfully built their hobby into a paper flower business. One of them is Wendy Anderson of Just Imagine, who shared with us in our latest episode of Paper Talk about how she took her paper flower love from hobby to business. Here’s some of the advice she shared with us.
Calculate Your Costs
When Wendy first started selling paper flowers, she only charged a dollar for each rose. She was using the only crepe paper available in New Zealand, which was not high quality, so she figured she couldn’t charge more than what the paper cost.
But then her friend pointed out that she had other supply costs, as well as time costs. They sat down and calculated out just how much she was spending on supplies. Each rose was actually costing closer to three dollars—and that was before accounting for Wendy’s time! She was losing money.
Her friend encouraged her to raise her prices to a rate that would pay her an hourly wage. At first, Wendy was hesitant, but eventually, she said, “I found an in the middle, intermediary range, where I could cover my costs.” She decided to keep her prices somewhat low in the beginning, but over time, as paper flowers became more well known in her area and she built up her reputation, she raised her rates.
Store Paper Flowers Safely
After creating big installations, you might be left with hundreds of flowers and foliage pieces that now need to be stored or disposed of. You don’t want to throw away your work, but how do you store your paper flowers without damaging them? Especially if you hope to use them again or eventually sell them?
Wendy had this problem after creating an archway for her father’s 80th birthday party. It was a large installation, spanning a set of double doors, and it involved a ton of blooms. But what to do with them? Her solution was to create vase-like structures from tubes that can hold flowers upright inside of opaque plastic containers. She even adds in anti-moisture packets to keep her blooms extra safe. Wendy describes more about where she got the supplies to make her storage solution in the episode.
Getting creative to solve problems like storage is a great way to use your crafting skills to solve a business problem. You can probably commiserate with Wendy’s description of her craft room being covered in supplies and flowers, but a little inventiveness can help keep your products safe from the creative chaos.
Share Your Mistakes
One of the ways Wendy grows as a paper florist is through our Facebook group. She encourage listeners to pop into our monthly meetings:
“Be at the Makers Meetings. No need to be nervous. We have so much fun. We laugh. We talk. We share our techniques, our tips. We share the ugly as well, because if I can tell you what went wrong when I made it, then that might help you learn, too.”
It can be very uncomfortable to share your mistakes, especially when you’re new to the paper flower world and community. But every paper florist, no matter how experienced, makes mistakes. A wonderful way to make lemonade out of lemons is to learn from that mistake, and even better, share that lemonade with others! When you help someone else avoid a mistake, they’ll help you in turn later. It’s a fantastic way to help our community grow as artists.
We chatted about even more with Wendy, and you won’t want to miss out on a minute of her enthusiasm.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
How Wendy has raised her prices over time.
How she stores her flowers safely and inexpensively.
What helped her take paper flowers from hobby to business.
How she transports big installations to events.
What Wendy drinks and listens to while making paper flowers.
Listen now to the podcast to hear more about Wendy’s paper flower journey and how she’s built up her paper florist business. And don’t forget to join our Facebook group so that you can share, connect, and grow with us!
“It’s the highest compliment you can give any paper florist, when someone says, ‘Wow. That looks real.’ - Wendy
Our paper florist friend from New Zealand, Wendy Anderson, chats with us about building her business with a support network both in person and online.
How do you build a paper flower business all by yourself?
The answer is, you don’t. Even if you’re the only paper florist in your entire country, you need a support network to help you grow as an artist and a business owner. That’s the entire purpose behind our work with Paper Talk: to share, connect, and grow our paper flower industry no matter where you may be.
Wendy Anderson of Just Imagine knows all about forging a paper flower business without a robust local industry to support her, as she lives in New Zealand without any other known paper florists in sight. But she still doesn’t go it alone!
In our latest episode of Paper Talk we chatted about how she has built up her virtual, familial, and friend network to support her paper flower journey.
Finding an Online Community
We first met Wendy through our Facebook group, which brings together paper florists from all over the world. As mentioned, Wendy is currently unaware of any other paper florists in her area, so being able to ask questions and share techniques with other like-minded artists is incredibly important for her.
She was nervous the first time she joined our monthly Makers Meeting, but waking up incredibly early to connect with other paper florists has become a huge priority for her. “I’ve only missed three meetings in four years,” she told us. “Our paper flower community and those Makers Meetings [are] my most favorite online place to be, and it’s got to be something big for me to miss it.”
You can also join our meetings or post your questions in our group. We’ve built countless businesses and friendships there. In the episode, Wendy dove into more ways our online community has helped her. Now more than ever with so many of us stuck at home, take advantage of the amazing technology we have and find your virtual support group.
Building a Varied Support Network
Wendy is very open about how much her success depends on her incredible family and friends. Even though they aren’t paper florists themselves, they’ve helped problem solve, set up events, and even answered questions about her work.
One particularly touching story she shared on the episode was about her father, who is in his 80s, helping design the mechanics for an archway that spanned over a set of double doors. Then he did it again when she asked for help scaling it down for an art exhibition. Wendy shared even more stories about loved ones like her amazing husband stepping in to help, and we fully agree with her assessment of how crucial that kind of assistance is.
Getting outside perspectives to help us solve problems is so crucial. Sometimes you need to step back and get another opinion. Those people don’t have to be in our industry in order to help!
“When we do our craft…the second [flower] is always better. The third, the fourth—as you get on, you get better and better at it. It’s practice and practice.” - Wendy
Promoting Our Industry
Wendy loves talking about our industry and her work. “I have such a passion for paper flower making, it’s hard to shut me up.” We know the feeling!
If you’re not used to talking about your work, though, it may feel awkward. But it’s so important for us to educate the general population about paper flowers.
One way Wendy has done this is through speaking engagements. Since quality crepe paper is difficult to find in New Zealand, she brings along the imported paper to let the audience touch and stretch. She spoke about how she runs these events and other ways she promotes paper flowers in our episode.
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
Where Wendy finds recommendations for imported supplies.
How she sets up her exhibition table and speaking engagements.
Why surrounding yourself with supportive people is so crucial for success.
How to build paper flower awareness in your community.
Why being part of our online community can help you build your business, just like it’s helped Wendy.
Start building your support network right now by joining our Facebook group, and listen now to the podcast to hear all about Wendy’s paper flower journey and how she’s built up her paper florist business.
Listen to our guest from the UK, Rosie Wykes, as she discusses her paper flower journey, how she manages clients, and where she sources her crepe.
Our paper flower community truly encompasses the globe, and we love to share, connect, and grow with all of the paper florists out there.
A huge benefit of gathering together virtually is that we can solve problems. Many of our listeners in the UK have encountered a similar problem: sourcing crepe paper. So when we spoke with paper florist Rosie Wykes of Soul Binding in our latest episode of Paper Talk, we knew we had to ask her where she buys her crepe.
We had so much fun discussing Rosie’s journey from crafting handbags to paper flowers, and getting a peek into how she is building up our industry across the pond. She specializes in weddings, and she had many insights about how to promote a paper floral business in the wedding industry and how to prevent surprises from cropping up while working with clients. We of course touched on our universal love of paper. Rosie had this to say:
“I love paper. I think it’s just so versatile. And the fact that it’s so fragile, but you can make it into something so solid and tactile. I just love that. That’s what I love about the heavy crepe. People will look at the bouquets and think, ‘Oh, that looks so delicate,’ but then they’ll touch it and ‘Oh, actually, that’s very solid. That’s quite sturdy.’ I think that’s fascinating.”
We know so many of you relate to that love!
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
Where Rosie sources her crepe paper in the UK.
How she promotes her business and educates potential customers about paper flowers.
Why communication is key to preventing problems with clients later on.
How she colors her crepe paper without access to Design Master.
Rosie’s simple way of invoicing customers from her phone.
Rosie herself stated how important our Facebook group has been to connect her with paper florists and resources from outside her local area. If you haven’t yet, join us! And listen now to the podcast to hear all about running a wedding paper flower business.
Mentioned in this episode:
Jessie and Quynh chat about how to use competition in the paper flower industry as motivation to build a unique brand and embrace what makes you unique.
Scrolling through Instagram, are you ever overwhelmed by what other paper florists are creating? We’ve all had those moments when we worry we won’t ever be as good as our peers, or we don’t know if we’re keeping up with pricing or trends in the paper flower industry.
Here’s the good news: paper florist competition isn’t ruthless. As we discussed in our latest episode of Paper Talk, we view our competition as motivation, not a threat. We’ve long extolled the virtues of building our community, and this is exactly where that pays off for everyone. Quynh characterized her relationship with Jessie this way:
“We have really friendly competition, I would say. We share our pricing. We share our strategy. We help each other build our business even better. I’m always picking Jessie’s brain.”
We agree that building bridges with other paper florists allows us to learn and to push our boundaries to places we may have never reached on our own. That’s one reason why we started our Paper X Talk series about pricing, and our topic for the final lecture on December 5 is what inspired this episode. We’ll dive even deeper into how we use competition to price our paper flowers. Buy your tickets now before the price goes up!
Here’s what you’ll hear when you listen to our conversation:
Why competition doesn’t have to mean aggressive competitiveness, but rather motivation.
Honing your voice to produce unique paper flowers.
Why you need connections in the industry to build community and better your work.
How to deal with imposter syndrome.
Using competition to push yourself in new and perhaps uncomfortable ways.
You can jump right into our community by joining our Facebook group where we share tutorials and techniques and celebrate each others’ success. And listen now to the podcast to gain a new perspective on competition and how you can use it to stand out in our paper flower industry.
“I think the question is always how do you get your voice to shine through your flowers? And it’s not a simple answer, because it’s such a unique journey for everybody. And that’s why we talk about paper flower journeys so much. We talk about ours because we’re still growing, we’re still evolving. I’m always looking for a way to grow more.” - Jessie
Our Facebook admin Christina Funderburgh hasn’t been in the paper flower business long, but her artistry and business have taken off at an incredible pace. We chatted with her about how she has grown so successfully, so quickly.
You’ve jumped into the paper flower world. You know that you want to turn this hobby into a business. Where do you start? How long will it take?
Christina Funderburgh proves that you can build up a successful paper flower business without waiting years and years. She has always been a DIY, creative soul, so it felt natural for her to create flowers for her wedding even though the medium of paper was new to her. That was only a couple of years ago, and since then her artistry as a paper florist has improved by leaps and bounds. She’s been able to use her artistic background to build her business, Fleur-ish Paper Flowers, into a distinctive brand that we know will only keep growing.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Christina about how she did this. Most of the resources and tools that she’s used are easily accessible to everyone, including our Paper Talk Facebook group of which Christina is now an admin. As she said on the podcast, the Facebook group, as well as Quynh’s Posey Box, “completely changed my game for paper flowers.” We loved hearing that our goal to share, connect, and grow the paper florist industry has successfully helped her on her paper flower journey!
“Learning techniques...from all these people that have built up this huge realm of tutorials that you guys didn’t have when you started. That has helped me progress really quickly.”
Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in:
How Christina makes her pictures distinctive to her brand.
How she progressed and built her business so quickly.
Why our Facebook group will elevate your artistry to new heights.
Where to find supplies at affordable prices.
You can join our Facebook group where Christina is an admin, and listen now to the podcast to learn all about how she has excelled so quickly in the paper flower industry.
“The Facebook group and The Posey Box] completely changed my game for paper flowers.”
Christina Funderburgh has always had a passion for art and creating beautiful things that bring joy to others. As a crafter and artist from a young age, she has used nearly every medium under the sun to paint, sculpt, and make jewelry. It was that passion for creating that led her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in multimedia design.
Shortly after graduation, she got engaged and dove head-first into wedding planning. The sticker shock of wedding flowers paired with her penchant for DIY flair pushed her towards making her own wedding flowers out of pearlized paper and book pages. They were a massive hit at the wedding and prompted a friend to commission her to make a book page bouquet for her upcoming wedding.
This sparked something in her—the desire to create long-lasting keepsakes that would never wilt. Previously, she would rarely buy flowers for her home and urged others not to purchase flowers for her as they would wilt so fast, and that decay always made her a little sad. She said, “I’ve never particularly had a green thumb, but by making paper flowers, I can enjoy them all year round with zero maintenance.”
After a year and a half of working with text weight paper, she wanted to make something more true-to-life, and that is what drew her to crepe paper. Her works are crafted from premium European crepe paper and fine art mediums. From single stem flowers and home décor pieces, to bouquets and full floral arrangements, these make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, housewarming, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and so much more!
Follow Christina on Instagram @fleurishpaperflowers, Facebook, her website and Etsy.
Stephen Brooks talks about the many facets of running a paper flower business: how to take great photos, which craft shows to enter, how to trademark your name, and more.
If you’ve been lucky enough to see pictures of Stephen Brooks’ amazing paper roses, you’ll know why we were so excited to have him on the podcast as a guest. We love the aesthetic of his paper flower business, which was strong enough to carry over through a business name change. We’ve been following his work for years now, and he is an admin of our Paper Talk Facebook group.
In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Stephen about his recent business name change and the steps he took to trademark that name to avoid legal trouble in the future. This is a topic that we ourselves have wondered about, and hearing how someone else has navigated it was enlightening and encouraging.
Our conversation also covered many aspects of running a paper flower business, including pricing and craft shows. Stephen has lots of experience in this area, and we loved seeing the flower cart he had made to sell his paper flowers at shows.
And since Stephen is such an incredible photographer, he also gave us some tips for taking great pics of your work. Here’s a little taste of what he shared:
“If there’s one tip I could tell anyone who makes paper flowers, it’s to really spend the extra time taking great pictures. I think scrolling through Instagram and looking at different paper flowers and different paper florists, taking that extra time to take the perfect picture is so worth it.”
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation on the podcast:
How to trademark your business.
Why you should participate in craft shows and how to choose the right one.
How to prepare for a craft show and set up your booth.
What to ask friends and family to find the right price point.
How Stephen takes his beautiful photos of his paper flowers.
Remember to join our Facebook group where Stephen is an admin, and listen now to learn from Stephen’s experience building up a successfully branded paper flower business.
Stephen began creating paper flowers in early 2017. After desperately trying to find real and artificial Juliet Roses for the celebration of the birth of his second daughter, he stumbled upon a paper flower version of the rose. After making a small bouquet of roses, he began to discover the joy that came from making these intricate flowers.
In May of 2017, Indiana Paper Company (formerly The Paper Peony) was started. Offering a variety of custom orders, Indiana Paper Company is steadily growing to provide people in the Indianapolis area and around the country with handmade paper flowers.
In addition to crafting paper flowers, Stephen is a stay-at-home dad of three, teaches piano lessons, shoots photography on the side, and co-owns a local theatre company.
Follow Stephen on Instagram @indianapapercompany, Facebook, and his website, or contact Stephen.
Susan Bonn is an admin for our online group, teaching all of us with her wealth of knowledge about paper flowers. Learn more about how she teaches, calculates prices, and keeps customers happy.
If you’re part of our Paper Talk Facebook group, you’ve heard of Susan Bonn. She runs the monthly Makers Meetings where we join together with paper florists from around the globe to chat, share our projects, and elevate each other's paper flower artistry.
Susan also facilitates our group’s monthly paper flower challenge. You can take a look at the banner on the Facebook page and see last month’s incredible creations from our members. It’s a stunning and creative lineup! If you can’t tell, we love our group and would love for you to join us.
We’ve loved working with Susan for the past couple of years. Besides her stellar work as our Facebook admin, she is an incredible paper florist and teacher. In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Susan about how she started her paper flower journey, her experience becoming a teacher, and some of the strategies she’s employed to keep her paper flower customers happy.
One of the things we discussed was how Susan prices her products. As she said, “Pricing, as we all know, is the most difficult part of what we do.” We agree! That’s why our Paper X Talk on November 14 will continue our lecture series on pricing. You still have time to buy your ticket so you don’t miss out on hearing about the factors we use to determine our own prices. In the meantime, here’s Susan’s advice: “If I would have one recommendation to most people who want to sell their flowers, is learn your craft first.”
Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in to the podcast:
What it takes to be a paper flower teacher.
How Susan connects with students in a natural way through virtual classes.
Why it’s important for students and customers to feel like you’re connected to them and not just selling them something.
How Susan calculates her prices for paper flowers.
How to under-promise and over-deliver to keep customers very happy.
If you haven’t joined our Facebook group, click to become a member, and don’t miss our Makers Meeting on the last Saturday of every month. And listen now to hear all about Susan’s paper flower journey and how she’s built up a successful paper flower business.
What began as a creative outlet following a 40-year career as a financial professional, Susan Bonn began crafting paper blooms inspired by Mother Nature in 2016. The joy of turning paper into a 3-dimensional flower can be seen in each bloom with stunning and realistic attention to detail.
Susan has been featured on the liagriffith.com artist interview series, CarteFini.com as a featured artist, and has won numerous awards for her designs. Susan Bonn Designs was chosen to be the provider of the awards ceremonies bouquets for the US Figure Skating Championships —the equivalent of the Olympic Trials — in 2018, just prior to the Olympic Games in South Korea.
Follow Susan on Instagram @susanbonndesigns, YouTube, and her website.
Our guest Amy McGee has changed her business focus many times over the years. Hear how she decided when to try something new and how she did so successfully.
Change is difficult and scary. When you are presented with a business opportunity or something is pushing you to transition to something new, how do you know if it’s right for you? What if you make the wrong decision? What if you fail?
These are questions that go through every small business owner’s mind at some point. Recently at our Paper X Talk lecture, we discussed how deciding to do something new, like changing your prices, is such a personal decision. There are so many factors to weigh. We’re excited to continue that conversation about pricing on November 14 (buy your tickets here), but we wanted to have a deeper discussion about change and transitions in general.
That’s why we invited Amy McGee of Botanical Brouhaha to chat with us on our latest episode of Paper Talk. You’ve probably encountered her amazing blog about fresh flowers and heard her voice on her podcast. If not, you should check it out right away. We’ve found so much inspiration for our paper flowers from her work.
Amy has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this topic of change. She started out growing cut flowers as a hobby while working as a dental hygienist. But then, opportunities in the floral world began to present themselves. She had to make decisions about what she wanted in life. Her floral business transitioned or did something new multiple times over the years, and with each change, she stayed grounded and successful by always keeping a connection with what truly inspired her to stay in business.
Amy put it this way: “There was such a connection for me with nature when I started growing those flowers, and just kind of getting into this industry. That’s what was leading me, was that connection to nature. And then it kind of grew into this connection with other people, because you all know, flower people, gardeners, farmers, they’re some of the kindest people in the world.”
You can hear more about her journey and how she made her decisions by listening to the podcast. Here’s what you’ll learn from our conversation:
How to know it’s time to change
Where to find the courage to try something new when you’re afraid
Why surrounding yourself with innovative, positive people is so important
How Amy has given back and strengthened her community through collaborative workshops, and how she’s pivoting during Covid
We loved learning more about what Amy is doing to provide virtual help to florists now that her regular in-person workshops can’t continue. Her new project, Bloom Trust Co., will launch in mid-November and connect florists to the resources and knowledge that they need to be successful. We can’t wait to check it out. We feel very similar with our work here at Paper Talk and our mission to share, connect, and grow the paper flower industry in any way that we can.
Listen now to hear all about navigating transitions, Amy’s new venture, and more.
Hear about the books Jessie and Quynh are reading right now and some of the valuable information they’ve learned about branding and building their businesses.
Do you wonder where we turn for info about building our brands? While experience is important, learning from others can save a lot of time and heartbreak—one reason why we’re committed at Paper Talk to share, connect, and grow with our community of paper florists.
“It’s one of those few books...that’s very actionable. It’s set out in very straightforward categories, let’s say ‘5 things you need to do to create a...resilient brand.’” - Jessie
The small business landscape is always shifting over time, and one way we keep up with those changes is by reading books from experts. As Jessie said about the book she’s been reading, “I found her really interesting because she’s talking about marketing in the 21st century, like about now as opposed to 10 years, 20 years ago. It’s changed so much.”
That expert insight has been especially important to us as we go through the process of rebranding Paper Talk. We’ve both been reading excellent books about building brands, and we just had to share about them our latest episode of Paper Talk.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
What we’re reading right now and how those books are helping us build our businesses.
Why customer service is an important part of rebranding.
Whether you should offer variety or one strong product.
How we find time to read while running businesses.
We love the actionable advice given in the books we read, and the straightforward way in which information was laid out. Quynh put it this way: “If you’re in the process of rebranding like we are, there’s so many different components that you need to think about. And he really talks about, ‘Have you thought about this? Have you thought about that?’ And then he relates it to a story that he’s done, and it’s like, ‘Oh, yes! That’s why I need it.’”
We highly recommend you listen to the episode and hear all about Donald Miller’s “Building a Storybrand” and “Obsessed” by Emily Heyward.
And remember: we want to hear from you to know about which topics would best help you build your brand for future Paper X Talk lecture series. Send us an email or DM!
Check out the books we mentioned in this episode (affiliate links below):
Donald Miller’s “Building a Storybrand”
**Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com links in this post. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and podcast. Read our Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer.
A copywriter can build your brand, engage your followers, and give you back valuable time. Kelsey Reed talks with us about what a copywriter can do for your business.
Have you ever wondered how we manage to write so many blog posts, emails, and social media posts? If you’re a small business owner, you know that this kind of content is important, but it’s often the first to get scrapped when you’re pressed for time.
Here’s the secret: we don’t do everything alone, and an integral part of our team is our copywriter, Kelsey Reed.
If you don’t know what a copywriter does off the top of your head, don’t worry. You’re not alone! In our latest episode of Papertalk, Kelsey chatted with us about all of the amazing things a copywriter can do for your business. Here’s how she described her work:
“Basically anything that you’re going to be writing out—words that your potential customers will read—I can work with, and a copywriter could work their magic on it and make it really sparkle for whoever’s going to read it.”
One of the biggest benefits for us has been how much time we save creating content. We know you’re just as busy as we are, so this is probably sounding fantastic. But where do you find a copywriter? How do you work with one?
You’ll learn all of this when you tune in:
How to find a copywriter
Things to look for in a copywriter to ensure a good fit for your business
What you can do to help your copywriter create their best work
How to make big projects with multiple collaborators run smoothly
We are passionate about helping our listeners build their small businesses. A rising tide lifts all paper flower businesses—or something like that. Hiring a copywriter is an excellent way to produce better and regular content, and give you the time to focus on your business. Listen now to learn how you can work with a copywriter!
Be sure to also read Kelsey’s tips on how to work with a copywriter, below.
by Kelsey Reed
A copywriter’s job is to engage possible customers and make your business or product sound amazing. Crafting those words is a crucial part of marketing. As a business owner, you may not know what to say or how to say it, or even have the time to focus on writing emails or blog posts. You want to focus on the heart of your business, be it paper flowers or anything else. Copywriters can take some of the work off your plate and let you put your attention elsewhere.
So, how do you find a copywriter? My recommendation is to talk to other small business owners. Ask around! Chances are, someone you’ve already networked with is using a copywriter. They can give you unfiltered opinions about the writer’s work and habits, like meeting deadlines. There are some websites that will connect you with writers. I know some great copywriters who use these sites, so you can definitely find someone using this method. Just be sure to do your homework: look at writing samples, talk to past clients if you can, and chat to get a feel if your goals align, they understand your business, etc. You can also pay them to edit or write one piece for you as a trial, which will give you some great insight into whether or not they are a good fit for you.
Once you find a copywriter, what should you do? How do you get the most from them? From the perspective of a copywriter, this is what I appreciate most from my clients.
1. Be clear about your goals.
Make sure that the writer you’re working with knows what you want to be accomplished with each piece. For example, when I edit tutorials, I know that the goal is to get information across in a clear, concise way that will keep subscribers satisfied with the product. If your writer doesn’t understand what the piece is supposed to accomplish—how it fits into your overall business plan—it’s more likely that the finished result won’t hit the mark.
2. Make sure your copywriter understands your product.
You don’t have to hire someone with extensive experience with your product, but the writer does need to familiarize themselves with it. You can help with this by making sure they have the right resources. When I started writing for Quynh, I knew hardly anything about paper flowers. She had a perfect way to get me up to speed, though, since my first assignment from her was editing an information sheet about paper flower techniques and crepe paper choices. That helped me learn the jargon and be prepared for other work going forward.
3. Know what your tone is.
Your marketing should have a voice, almost a personality, to attract your ideal customer. Are you trying to sound bubbly or sophisticated? Casual or formal? Whatever your product is supposed to encapsulate, that tone needs to come across in things like the writing. That means your copywriter needs to know what tone you’re shooting for, as well. Some of my clients send examples of blog posts or marketing videos from other businesses that resonate with them, and they explain what exactly appeals to them. This gives me solid examples to build upon and a much greater chance of hitting the mark from the get-go.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for changes.
You’re paying for a service, and if the end result isn’t quite what you wanted, tell your writer! Editing is the key to good writing, so I guarantee that your copywriter is used to going back and making changes. I once wrote a blog post that included facts and history about the flower being made that month at The Posey Box. I slid into a bland schoolmarmish tone, which is not a good fit for paper flowers. Quynh very kindly asked if I could make the tone a little more friendly and casual. She was completely right that that was what the post needed, and I happily edited the piece.
5. Respect their time.
Everybody is busy, including your copywriter. Don’t expect them to drop everything at once for your last-minute project. Deadlines are great, but they should be reasonable. I don’t mind the occasional tight deadline, but this is because my clients have shown that they respect my time and my work, and they aren’t constantly asking me to finish things overnight. Keep your end of things running smoothly so that you can give your copywriter as much time as possible to work on projects.
Learn more about Kelsey by following her on social media:
Paper florist Sara Kim shares how she makes her brand instantly recognizable on any platform and how she’s successfully transitioned her business over the years
You know branding is important, but that’s easier said than done. How do some creators make their brand instantly recognizable, even across different platforms: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, everywhere?
Sara Kim of Handmade by Sara Kim is one of those amazing creators whose work you can identify with a glance because of her incredible branding work. In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with her about the winding journey her business has taken and how she’s kept her brand consistent through changes and across platforms. As Sara said, “It’s the little details that no one really notices.”
She had lots more to say on the subject, and you won’t want to miss out on any of her helpful advice for small business owners.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in:
What will make your brand instantly recognizable across platforms.
Ideas for interesting and unique photo backdrops.
How to transition your business to something new, be it a product or platform.
Figuring out which platform to focus on, because there’s only so much time in the day.
Sara, like many of us, discovered that running a business was about more than just her craft. She had to learn to do a host of other things, from photography to video editing and more. We’ve been there, and we loved talking with her about how she overcame those difficulties and successfully gave her business the stunning presentation it has today. Listen now to be inspired and fine-tune your brand’s style.
Learn more about Sara by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: @handmadebysarakim
WEBSITE: www.handmadebysarakim.com
Learn how you can improve your painting techniques and create stunning crepe paper flowers with advice from a watercolor expert and author Sarah Simon of TheMintGardener
If you’re unfamiliar with watercolors, you may be intimidated to try them on crepe paper. Do you have visions of a soggy mess when you think about it? Or maybe you’ve tried combining the two and didn’t get the results you wanted.
Here’s the good news: both crepe and watercolor are fairly forgiving mediums, and the end results can be absolutely fantastic for your paper flowers. To get those beautiful results, though, you may have to go through quite a bit of trial and error. Luckily, there is help out there to get you started on the right track and save you from some heartache. That’s why we chatted with a watercolor expert in our latest episode of Papertalk.
Sarah Simon of TheMintGardener is an artist, illustrator, and designer. Her gorgeous botanical works are simply amazing. On top of her artwork, she teaches watercolor workshops and is the author of three books. We discussed all of these different facets of her work on the podcast, and you’ll glean so many insights about how to improve your paper flowers and your business.
Here’s a little taste of what she taught us: “The biggest tip that I can give when you’re combining watercolor plus the crepe paper, work with tube paint.” That’s just the beginning of her very useful advice.
Whether you’re new to the game or have been in business for years, pricing is something you need to constantly consider. As Quynh said, “No matter how long you’ve been in business, how you’re pivoting, how you’re changing what you are to where you want to be, you have to think about the price in the future. You always have to set your expectation: what do I want to accomplish this year?”
Here’s what else you’ll learn when you tune in:
Tips for using watercolor on crepe
How to improve your teaching, including virtually
Behind the scenes of writing a book and promoting it
Details about Sarah Simon’s amazing new watercolor book
And if you want even more tips about using watercolors for paper flowers, we have exciting news. Quynh and Sarah are putting together a course for this year’s virtual Flowerstock. More details will soon be available on Holly Chapple’s website, but until then, listen to the podcast to start improving your watercolor techniques.
Sarah Simon is the Designer, Artist Illustrator, and Author at TheMintGardener. Finding inspiration in the ever-blooming variety of textures and colors in her urban garden, Sarah creates and teaches lush Watercolors inspired by the diverse variety of herbs, flowers, and trees grown in her yard. With a continually blooming following of botanical and art lovers alike,
Sarah shares her teaching talents in Seattle, Washington, of the USA, where she regularly instructs Watercolor Classes to students of all skill levels. Her teaching has received international attention with her online painting courses in the Watercolor Summit and on Skillshare. Sarah's work has been featured in many publications and blogs worldwide and has been celebrated in the form of commercial product design, stationery, textiles as well as wholesale and private commissions.
Just a few of her clients include: Target, Nordstrom, Country Living, Facebook, The University of Washington, Sakura of America, Blick, Estée Lauder, and Sur La Table. Her books "Modern Watercolor Botanicals" and "The Plant Lady" Coloring Book were released in November 2019, and are best sellers on Amazon. She is currently working on book number three and enjoys hosting the #FlowerPaintingClub for an online community of painting-lovers.
Sarah loves to garden with her partner Colin and their two little girls on their urban farm. She enjoys seeking quiet moments for sketching and painting, making small bouquets of flowers and herbs, or reading. She loves Jesus, exploring new places, and enjoys anything that includes the sea, friends, and food; and yes, as a Pacific Northwest native, she does enjoy the gloomy gray days a bit more than the hot, sunny ones. Follow Sarah at @themintgardener or check out her art and online courses on her website.
Learn how to price your products and services with advice from four small business owners in the paper flower, floral arranging, and flower farming industries.
Does your stomach tie up in knots at the thought of pricing your products or services? A quick search will show that paper flowers come with all sorts of price tags attached. How do other paper florists come up with those price points? Are you charging too much or too little?
Paper florists aren’t the only ones to struggle with this problem. Small business owners of all kinds lose sleep over the pricing question. That’s why on our Season 3 premier of Papertalk we took on this important topic and chatted with two women outside of the paper flower industry.
Jesalyn Pettigrew is a flower farmer and owner of Mossy Gate Flower Farm, and Erin Shackelford is a floral designer and owner of Camas Designs. They both pivoted to the world of fresh flowers after careers in other industries, so setting prices was new and unknown territory. Sound familiar? It definitely rang true for us!
Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:
Which factors you should consider when setting your prices
How to stick to your price point
Navigating different prices for different kinds of customers (wholesale, commercial, designers, etc)
How we’ve balanced building our brands versus making a profit
Whether you’re new to the game or have been in business for years, pricing is something you need to constantly consider. As Quynh said, “No matter how long you’ve been in business, how you’re pivoting, how you’re changing what you are to where you want to be, you have to think about the price in the future. You always have to set your expectation: what do I want to accomplish this year?”
The best news is that this is only the beginning of the conversation. We’ll have a more in-depth discussion with Jesalyn and Erin on October 17 with our Paper X Talk about pricing. And we want to hear from you! What do you struggle with? What do you want to be discussed? Tell us in the comments, and listen now to get a head start on pricing.
Learn more about Jesalyn and Mossy Gate Farm by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: @mossygateflowerfarm
WEBSITE: Mossy Gate Farm
Learn more about Erin and Camas Design by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: @camasdesigns
WEBSITE: Camas Designs
Hey, Paper Florists!
Do you want to spend more time on your craft and less time chasing down clients? Or are you a vendor who needs to reach more paper florists?
Well, look no further. Quynh and Jessie talked about this project in Episode 57, and now it's live. The Paper Florists Member Directory is finally here! When you sign up as a Member, you’ll be listed in our worldwide directory, the first of its kind for paper florists and vendors. With just a few clicks, potential clients can connect with you like never before. We’re talking commercial businesses, photographers, fresh florists, event planners, and more.
We’ll do the heavy lifting with advertising, spreading the word on influential podcasts and blogs like Botanical Brouhaha!
All you have to do is sign up at thepaperflorists.org and pay a small annual fee —only $4.08 a month! The same as that fancy latte you love. And it goes to maintaining the tech-related stuff for the Directory. All of our past and present students will be a part of this Directory for free.
Set up your profile with a few clicks and let the clients come to you!
...OR maybe you're a Customer
like a florist, a photographer, an owner of a retail store, and you're looking to work with and hire a paper florist for a project or client. How do you find the perfect paper florists for your wedding? Or your window display? What if you have a client with a very specific vision for their event, which includes pink peonies in December?
An internet search can only get you so far. What you need is the Paper Florists Member Directory. We’ve gathered paper florist profiles from all over the world and created an easy-to-use, searchable directory. Find exactly what you need with just a few clicks.
Searching the directory is completely free. All you have to do is sign up at www.thepaperflorists.org/directory to start.
PAPER FLORISTS
FLORISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/EVENT PLANNERS/CUSTOMERS
Photographer Caroline Tran lets us in on the secret behind making more online sales: showcasing your paper flower product in its best light, both figuratively and literally.
Have you ever browsed the competition and been shocked to find that other paper florists are charging way more than you are for similar products? How are they able to make such a higher profit? Why are customers swayed by their offerings?
Caroline Tran of Caroline Tran Photography sold her own creative goods, once upon a time, and was puzzled by the price discrepancies she found. After some sleuthing, she figured out the reason why and let us in on it in this latest episode of Paper Talk. Here’s a clue from Caroline: “The way you present your stuff is going to make the difference between whether someone’s willing to pay $80 for it or $8 for it.”
She also provided extremely useful information about photographing your products to showcase online. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to her episode:
Tricks and tips to photograph your products in their best light (both figuratively and literally).
The best apps and programs you can use to edit your photos.
How to make artificial light look natural.
A beginner’s explanation of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Setting up a mini studio space for easy, painless shots of your products.
No matter your skill level, you can learn from Caroline. Being able to take beautiful shots of your flowers can lead to increased sales, and it’s an especially valuable skill during these quarantine times when collaborating with a photographer isn’t always possible. Listen now to up your photo game and start selling more paper flowers!
Grab your Freebies here!
Download Caroline’s free photography guides here: www.carolinetraneducation.com/free-guides/
Learn more about how to photograph your paper flowers using your fancy camera here: www.carolinetraneducation.com/fancy-camera
Learn more about Caroline by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: @carolinetran
WEBSITE: www.carolinetran.com
Listen to mixed-medium artist Ann Wood talk about her international exhibit and how she keeps herself inspired and challenged with her art.
Have you ever found yourself in a creative rut? Found yourself no longer joyful with your work, but simply slogging through? Maybe you’re having difficulty even imagining a different way to do things. Maybe you have a dream to chase, but the risks seem too big.
If that sounds familiar, we have the perfect inspiration for you!
In this episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Ann Wood of Woodlucker studio. She is the amazing mixed-medium artist behind a plethora of hyperreal insects, feathers, vegetables, fruit, and flowers. These incredible creations have been featured in many publications including Martha Stewart Living, as well as NPR’s Cultivating Place podcast. Her dream to create a massive botanical wall led to her current exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag in the Netherlands.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in:
Find the confidence to break boundaries and take risks with your art.
Get inspired by the depth and breadth of Ann’s experience, and how she actively molds her journey to keep her work challenging and interesting.
Let yourself dream of the endless possibilities our medium provides.
And finally, you’ll get a glimpse of the magic behind transporting, installing and putting together an international museum exhibit.
Our conversation also touched on the beauty of slowing down and connecting with nature. Ann spoke beautifully about noticing all of the amazing little details we get to dissect as botanical artists, and of the emotional meaning and memories individuals bring to flowers.
Listen now to get inspired and start dreaming of your next creative adventure. Ann summed up her inspiring optimism when she said this: “I think this is a movement of the paper art, especially the paper florals. This is a new movement. And it’s exciting to be part of, ‘What are the possibilities that are available for all of us to dream up in the next ten years?’”
Learn more about Ann by following her on social media:
INSTAGRAM: @woodlucker
WEBSITE: www.woodlucker.com
Listen to the world-renowned paper artist, Ceres Lau, about finding the confidence and perseverance to get your paper flowers featured in fine art spaces.
Does the idea of submitting your paper flowers to a gallery strike fear in your heart? Or maybe you’ve tried in the past with little success and have become disheartened. We have heard so many paper florists express apprehension about exhibiting their paper flowers as fine art. There’s a lot of unknowns: Where do you begin? How do you deal with rejection? Is your creation really worth it?
We’ve all felt those doubts. But what if we told you that we know the secret behind finding success as an exhibiting artist? The best news is, it’s totally something you can do.
In this Episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Ceres Lau, a paper artist in Malaysia, whose incredible work has been exhibited around the world and extensively online. She literally cuts, carves, sculpts, and creates elegant works of art from paper. Needless to say, she understands the way a blank sheet of paper can make the heart sing with possibilities.
Listen to our conversation, and here’s what you’ll learn about:
Dealing with negative feedback, especially when it comes from loved ones—which it will!
Balancing art and making a living. It’s a difficult needle to thread, staying true to your artistic side and still being able to eat.
Staying true to the value of your artwork when people complain about the price tag.
Most importantly, persevering until you find the right opportunities. (Spoiler alert: this is the crucial bit.)
Ceres was a joy to talk with, and hearing her story about becoming a paper artist and the emotion and inspiration behind much of her work was captivating. We’re sure by the end of the episode you’ll be full of inspiration of your own, as well as the confidence and know-how you need to submit your paper flower art to exhibitions.
As Ceres said, “When you get one acceptance, it’s totally worth it.”
Read what Ceres has to say about her journey!
1. Introduce yourself to us! Who is Ceres Lau?
I am a paper artist who draws inspiration from nature as the source of her artistic expression. My fascination with paper stems from the possibilities found within it – beautiful, complicated forms arise from the transformation of this humble, almost-mundane material, a process limited only by the breadth of creativity.
I cut, carve, sculpt, create works of art out of paper. I do not paint on it, but rather I learn to focus on the material itself, and try to uncover the hidden beauty of paper without any interference.
I was born in Kuching, Sarawak, the eastern part of Malaysia. It is a small city where we would often joke that everyone knows everyone (that shows just how small it is, it applies most of the time!). It is situated on an island which is also known as Borneo, a place famous for having one of the richest cultures and rainforests in the world, which also explains why my work is often inspired by that of nature.
I graduated in graphic design, and before that, I was actually studying in the science stream, going into the medical field would have been the initial goal but I was not doing well at it, most importantly, my heart was elsewhere. I was secretly an art nerd.
Graphic design is the only course available that is closest to the arts at that time, in this small town. I took it up not knowing what lies ahead of me and thus, begins the life-changing journey, getting to where I am now.
2. Were you a creative when you werea child?
Thinking back, I have always been drawing, on any surface, I can find, for as long as I can remember. My ultimate childhood dream was actually to become a comic artist!
3. What is the art community like in Malaysia? Growing up, was there any opportunity to live as an artist?
The art community here is flourishing. There are more and more opportunities coming up for the arts in recent years. Paper art, however, is still not quite known here in Malaysia, and people are confused when they see what I do. It is not a norm, which is also one of the reasons why the art community here is, until this day, still remains foreign to me.
Instead of craving for a change of environment and situation, throughout the years I learnt to depend on myself rather than on ‘things’ and situations. I learnt to make use of limited resources, embrace what’s available in front of me, and at the same time, also seek opportunities away from my comfort zone.
I have kept close with a very small circle of artists in Malaysia, to which each of them specialise in different mediums. They are invaluable to me but something was still missing.
At some point, I turned to Instagram and found myself a wonderful community of paper artists who have had similar experiences. It can be intimidating at times, however more than that, it has been extremely comforting knowing that there are a group of artists and people who support you, unconditionally. I soon realised that finding the right community really helps to better oneself, it really has so much to do with that.
Then I was introduced to a paper art organisation by chance and got offered to be a part of it. The organization helped me find my voice and confidence in what I do. I was able to meet and connect with like-minded artists, not only that I get to have conversations on the medium we shared, but also exchange experiences, knowledge, and honest criticisms.
More opportunities became available to me, in ways that I could never think of if I have not stepped forward. Finding this has had a major impact on my life and growth as an artist. Having a community that supports one another, no matter how small of an amount or far in the distance, truly makes a difference.
4. You talk a bit about using what limited resources you have. Is that why you chose paper as your medium?
I was thoroughly amused by this medium. You can transform it anyhow you want and the possibilities are endless. I am until this day, still fascinated by the versatility of this everyday object that we tend to take granted for. I see it as a beautiful medium on its own, even more so when it’s being explored and experimented with.
It's been roughly 8 years of using this medium, on and off. Funny enough, looking back there were subtle hints here and there that it was the right one for me.
The first memory I had with paper, was when I was still in elementary school. I remember it so well, cutting strips of paper and coiling them together, I made a not-so-practical bookmark and gave it to my friends. I didn’t know that it was known as quilling back then.
When I started college, I began using paper again for my assignments. It was not encouraged because I was majoring in graphic design and doing hands-on work was not a ‘thing’. Paper as an art form was far less known than it is today. I stopped after that, focusing on digital works instead.
During my final year in college, I manage to transfer to a university in London. I stepped out for the first time in my life, and through one of the downfalls, I rediscovered paper with the help and advice of my then lecturer. From then onwards, I responded to all assignments given throughout the year using only paper.
Upon returning to Malaysia after my studies, where paper art is not known at all, coming from a small city it was even harder, I gave in to peer pressure and did not engage with paper for a year or two. I was given small opportunities and slowly started to pick it up again while managing 3 different jobs at a time, working my way through without a solid aim. Just 3 years ago, I decided to dedicate myself fully to this paper world and have not regretted my choice since.
5. You explained that you "focus on the material itself, and try to uncover the hidden beauty of paper without any interference." How do you do this? What tools and supplies do you use to create your masterpieces?
It really depends on what kind of work I am doing! I use tools that I find comfortable using, both unconventional and conventional ones. While I have proper tools to suit and function in a certain way, different kinds of craft knives, I also have several curvy wooden massaging tools, which I use in some of my work! I vividly remember using a toothpick to curl the paper strips, too.
But the tools I absolutely must have and can't live without would be surgery scalpel and bone folder. These two are the ones I juggle back and forth with.
I use archival-quality papers and adhesives. I often use G.F Smith Colorplan papers for my work, mix and match with other brands such as Daler Rowney, Arches, Takeo, and many more. Sometimes I use unbranded papers in my work (I have a collection of them from my trips!) if the colour and texture appeal to me.
6. Let's talk about the evolution of your artwork. You've created so many different series of artwork that are distinctively different from each other. Where do you find your inspiration?
I am constantly trying to explore different dynamics, however human relationships, and nature is both my inspiration.
When I just started doing paper art, I like many others, was completely lost at some point, because like you mentioned, I have a variety of works that is contrastingly different.
I used to stress about it so much. Everyone works differently, often I would admire artists who seem to know what they want and has a very unique sense of style of their own.
Along the way, I realised that while it is important to have a style, it is also not essential. Eventually, I started letting go of how I perceive things, and from there onwards, I started not to bother so much about having a specific style. I realised that it is actually okay to have a few different approaches as long as I am able to express what I want, get my feelings across and build a connection with the audience. I believe that, being able to capture a moment, a feeling and emotion, is also a form of art and something I hold close to.
7. There are many artists who work with paper. What do you think makes your artwork unique from other paper artists?
Tough question, I truly have no idea!
However, through the words of my artist friends and lovely followers, I was told that my art has a raw approach and feel to it.
I have always found it hard to express myself, and it is through what I do and make, that helps me put my feelings out there. Every piece of work has a story behind it, they not only serve as a reminder but also a memory to me, capturing my feelings and the very moment in life. And it is perhaps through this way, that I get to connect to an audience that I never thought I could.
8. What do you remember about your first art exhibition?
I had one of my first collaborative art exhibitions in my hometown, 6 years ago. I created a piece of art through quilling, very much different from what I do this day. It was sort of, as an amateur debut? It was memorable because it was held in a rundown space. The art piece I spent 3 to 4 weeks in full swing to make, was priced at an amount that did not reflect all the hard work put into it at all.
I was told that it was extremely expensive, with people telling me that they should rob the bank if they were to buy my work. I had mixed feelings, happy but overwhelmed, completely clueless on what to do, or which direction I am heading towards. I had no plans, no expectations, no ambitions nor goals.
But through that one small exhibition, I have learnt a great deal and found a way to do what I love. To be very honest, I never knew I could take part in exhibitions until I was offered the chance to, it never occurs to me that I can do this and that there are other ways of doing something.
On a side note, I didn't manage to sell anything during the exhibit, while others sold their pieces. However years after the event, I sold that particular piece for 5 times the price back then!
9. Where can your paper art be currently seen? When's your next exhibition?
Unfortunately, for now, it’s mainly on my social media. There has been a huge change of plans after what is happening to the world right now. While it is saddening that things have to be cancelled or postponed until further notice, it is inevitable but I learnt to be thankful and appreciative of my situation, finding gratitude in the slightest thing.
I took time off from preparing for exhibitions and chose to focus on my well-being instead. It can be challenging at times like this, however, it is also important to know that in the midst of chaos, strength means something different to all of us, too.
10. How do you decide which art exhibit and/or art gallery to submit your work or opportunities to seize?
An artist friend once said to me, that I should keep creating, go out there and grab hold of any chances offered to me, regardless of what is being put on the plate. I held onto that advice since then. I think I was really lucky to be approached by curators and organisers of art exhibits back then, from my early years when I was still struggling and trying to find a balance in this art world. Those experiences helped shape me; my ideals, my visions, and what I want to do in my life.
After all these years, I manage to narrow down the chances given to me but I have too, seek out new opportunities by sending in my work, submitting applications, and such every now and then. It is not something I can explain in detail, but simply know what you want and grab on every chance provided which feels right to you, it differs from one another and will definitely give you an invaluable experience one way or another.
As for the process, the artwork, of course, is the most important component. High-quality shots of the artwork(s) are necessary. A strong and concise statement of the art piece is just as important. Providing a CV outlining your past exhibits, experiences and achievements are also crucial. Depending on the requirements (every gallery and exhibition submission differs) you may be required to pay a small fee to be considered, put together a proposal of the exhibition, and/or all of the above.
You might get considered or shortlisted, but that does not solidify your chances. Following the rules, as simple as naming the files correctly, in a certain format and size, getting all the fundamentals done properly also plays a huge part.
There is a high probability of getting rejected and ending up with disappointments, even until this day I still face rejections despite all the experiences I had. It is completely normal and I hope one does not dwell on it too much, simply push yourself and repeat the process until you get it!
11. What advice would you have for an aspiring paper artist?
I don’t think that I am in the position to give any professional advice, because like everyone else, I still have so much to learn about.
One of the things I’d always tell myself is, do not let anyone tell you how things should be done, yet take as many criticisms and advices as you can. Listen and try, but stay true to your core identity at the same time. Do not be afraid of failing, take it as a notion to learn about yourself, failures contribute to your successes and it will go a long way.
Be loose, be you. Sometimes you don’t shine the most when you show your truest self or have your work reflect who you are as a person, but you will definitely attract the right crowd for you.
12. What are your favourite flowers to play with?
Wildflowers. It holds such a profound meaning to me personally. When I look at it, it makes me reflect on the events in my life.
Sometimes people call wildflowers weeds and are always described as plants growing out of places that do not fit in, often not being celebrated by many. However, for me, they represented more. They may seem out of place, but they are free-spirited, diverse and fascinating, intricate yet bold. As uninvited as they may be, these darlings mysteriously add a unique touch, complementing the surroundings. They aren’t controlled, they exist for their own sake and that is why it is amazing.
I see it as a reminder to oneself. Allow yourself to grow in places that people thought you never would, or could. Know that it is okay to stray away from the carefully curated garden beds, know that you are blooming in your own way even on the sideway, or the open fields. You are uniquely you, beautifully free and strong, just like a wildflower.
Learn about the exciting new projects you can participate in that will promote and grow the paper florist community, and help us all succeed in our new industry.
You want to connect with more clients. You want your amazing creations to be enjoyed. Spending time to promote your work is not what you imagined doing when you became a paper florist. Well, we’ve got your back. There is strength in numbers, and the paper florist community is about to get a whole lot stronger, together.
Paper florists are scattered all over the world, which is why you’re reading these words! You want to connect with others in our industry. That’s always been the heart and soul of Paper Talk and the Paper Florists Collective. This is why we are so excited about some big projects coming down the pipeline. These projects will include all paper florists who want to participate, and they will help us all to promote and grow our industry.
In this episode of Paper Talk, we delved into some of the specifics, but here is a brief intro:
Quynh has had a dream to create a gigantic paper flower installation for art gallery use for some time now, but we’re pushing for it to become reality. We want paper florists from all over to be involved and to use this as an opportunity to highlight the environmental impact we are having on the planet. As Jessie said, this will be the “intersection between beauty...and the ugliness of our consumption.”
We’ve been working on a Paper Florists Directory that will connect clients with paper florists all over the world. We envision this being used for special events, commercial events, print and digital media, and on and on.
There are so many other moving parts involved in these projects. Listen now to learn even more about our plans for free translated tutorials for the art installation, the amazing people helping to bring the directory to life, the timeline for these projects, and more.
As Quynh put it, “In 2021 the paper florist industry is going to make a stamp in the world.”
Learn from a marketing expert, Tonneli Gruetter, how to reach across industry lines to grow your paper floral business and gain exposure in print and digital publications.
Let’s face it: our paper floral industry is strong, but still has lots of room to grow. To get our work out there and to help our community flourish, we need to collaborate with other industries. Getting featured in the magazines or blogs of other groups is a fabulous way to grow your business. An obvious one is the fresh florist market. We can create pansies with long stems or an iris for a dried bouquet. The possibilities for collaborating with florists are endless!
You may wonder if a fresh floral magazine or blog will feature your paper flowers, and the answer is yes! On our latest episode of Paper Talk, Tonneli Gruetter— a marketing expert and writer at the Florists’ Review magazine—spoke eloquently about the amazing collaboration that can happen when we choose to look outside of our immediate industry and connect with others.
She would love to see our community’s work, either by submitting it on the Florists’ Review website or tagging/direct messaging them on Instagram @florists_review. “For us, it’s really about appreciating the floral form above all else. That’s what we’re all about, is celebrating flowers,” Tonneli told us.
So what is she looking for? What can you do to make sure your work gets featured? Tonneli gave this advice:
Follow trends. Know what’s happening in our paper floral world and the industries you’re trying to collaborate with. She gave our listeners the tip that big circles are always on trend with her followers. We all agreed that following industry leaders, like Hitomi Gilliam on YouTube, is a great way to learn and stay on top of trends.
Stay within the season. Wintertime calls for darker and moodier blooms. Summer is brighter and airier. This is fairly common sense, but a holly wreath is going to get a better reception in December than in July.
Keep trying. Tonneli might not have a place for your work right away. She might wait for that theme to be featured or on-trend. Or she might tell you that she likes what you’re doing and wants to see more in the future. That isn’t a no! That means that what you sent might not be a good fit, but that she sees potential in future collaboration.
Our conversation also dipped into many other fascinating topics. A big one was sustainability. Besides her work as a marketer and writer, Tonneli owns her own farm, Salty Acres, which produces flowers, preserves the agricultural heritage of her community, and offers classes to educate visitors on a wide variety of topics.
One of her passions is finding ways to reduce waste, like saving parts of flowers that would be headed to the compost heap, drying them, and using them as edible confetti for baking. Tonneli sees this focus on sustainability as something that will only continue to grow in popularity across industries. That’s great news for paper florists, as our craft can fill in gaps for florists dedicated to buying locally and sustainably. We can create peonies in the perfect color in January, which makes for happy clients and florists.
Listen now to hear even more as we chatted about upcoming trends, running workshops during Covid-19, and more.
Here are some questions we asked Tonneli about herself:
1. Introduce yourself to us!
My name is Tonneli Gruetter (tawn-ah-Lee), I am a 3rd generation farmer, military spouse, & marketing expert living on Whidbey Island Washington where I work from my flower farm, Salty Acres. I specialize in corporate social responsibility helping clients of all sizes to better embody their values through the authenticity of philanthropic action. Through my work at Florists Review Magazine, I have found an avenue to fuse my passion for flowers with business.
2. You have a long list of experiences, from being a brand specialist to a digital marketer to a farmer. Can you tell us a bit about these identities?
Like so many young people finding a fiscally sound path to becoming your dream full-time is not something easily realized all in one step. For me pursuing a serious career in brand marketing helped me gain the work-life balance to afford to start a farm, and on-the-job skills needed to thrive as a modern farmer. From the outside, it seems crazy to compare launching successful video game titles at mega conventions like e3 to running a flower farm but really all the same concepts are there: be authentic, find your base, make it fun.
3. Tell us about Wildflower Media, Florists Review, Canadian Florist, and SuperFloral.
Our publications are for floral enthusiasts of every stripe. Each of our magazines has a slightly different voice, today I am here to speak most about Florists Review which is our sort of all-encompassing world of beauty and an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about techniques regarding composition, design, how to use supplies, etc.
We also chat quite a bit about the business of flowers and entrepreneurship. Canadian Florist is similar but celebrates the unique voice of Canadian florists, to some, it may come as a surprise but many of the world's top talent in the field of floristry is Canadian. Last but not least is SuperFloral, our publication for mass-market flowers & large-scale growers.
4. You're the Director of Marketing at Wildflower Media. Can you tell us what that role involves?
I am responsible for helping our advertisers launch new campaigns, keeping our social media streams representative of current trends, covering top floral events in real life. Personally, it has been my mission to see our community become a home for all flower lovers not just the traditional florist and I'm proud to say that's very much visible in our work today.
5. How are Florists Review, Canadian Florists, and SuperFloral which all began as print publications, adapting to the digital world?
Our magazine is celebrating its 123rd birthday this year, we have a proud heritage but are quite delightfully modern. Recently we made the switch to being a primarily free-to-subscribe online magazine, supported by special edition book-azines, video library on youtube, and Instagram community devoted to sharing the work of floral artists.
6. Since you are in print media, we have to ask: Are print publications still relevant given the trend to move to digital media?
There is something inherently magical about print. We've all been there when a friend sends a link of something you MUST read... yet you don't even open it, or perhaps it only gets a quick scan. When someone shares information via print it becomes something to take your time with a view more than once, it becomes a resource. That's exactly the direction we are going with our books & special edition book-azines.
7. It's a well-known fact that many florists/contributors want to be featured in one of your prestigious magazines.
There are many reasons to be featured, but I think even more than clout or prizes (tho who doesn't want to visit a flower farm in another country or receive luxurious roses for free?) is that we represent an extraordinarily supportive community. Our readers are an active part of that community but when you are featured it brings you to another level where you are able to tell your story and we're all here to cheer you on. When we feature a floral artist they get a lot of visibility, not just in our world of flowers but also in the realms adjacent to us such as weddings, events, and brand collaborations.
8. It would be such an honour to be featured in your magazine! So how do florists get featured in one of your magazines? What do you look for when determining who/what to feature?
We have a few different ways to become featured, and also a few different people on the job to ensure we stay fresh & inclusive. To be considered for our magazine we have an online portal on our website under the "contact us" page, as well as frequent design contests. As for our Instagram, that's really my world. I suggest creators reach out however feels right to them to either use DM, tagging @florists_review, or using #floristsreview... I also spend significant time visiting florists when I travel IRL & tracking emerging online floral trends.
9. Our listeners are mainly paper floral artists and entrepreneurs. Do you have any specific tips on how they could be featured in a prominent magazine/blog, like yours?
Absolutely! Above all else: collaborate. You can magnify your reach so much by collaborating with other creatives & tagging the brands or products included. There are many flowers I hold beloved as a grower myself such as poppies, but I nearly always dissuade customers from purchasing them for weddings due to their delicate nature... this is exactly the time I know I'd love to have a paper floral artist I could direct my customers to bring into our conversation.
I always tell creators to treat social media like real life but with fewer rules. If you interact with an account with a large following or strategic reach you wish you could be involved with, let them know. Don't be afraid to "slide into the DMs" with something you have an idea about if it's sincere. Worst case scenario is they ignore you... and most of the time {trust me} they won't.
10. Lastly - What are your favourite flowers to design with? What is your favourite flower?
I design mostly using Dahlias as they make up the lionshare of my farm but I love impractical flowers, silly, flowers, and flowers with TERRIBLE vase life. In the last year, I've had an obsession with an impossible to grow Australian native called the flannel flower. I also love Wisteria, bearded iris, & poppies. I'm trying my hand at a few new things like hothouse tuberose and heirloom chrysanthemums this year, we'll see how those adventures go.
Although South Korea did not formally implement a lockdown, South Koreans were encouraged to practice physical distancing and to wear masks in public spaces. Most of their economy is back to "normal" and we thought it would be interesting to speak to Jasmine Sing of Merremade about how she went about re-commencing her in-person workshops in South Korea, as it would be equally relevant in other countries once the physical distancing policies start to loosen up.
If you want to know more about Jasmine, be sure to check out Episode 15 where we first spoke to her about the paper flower industry in Asia.
First, let's learn a bit about Jasmine:
1. Tell us about yourself, Jasmine!
The Asian with big dreams, and the brain & hands behind Merremade. I am born and raised in Singapore but moved to South Korea 7 years ago. Still trying to learn & adjust to this not-so-new environment. Every day is an adventure and I have so much I want to achieve. I am usually a funny person. I like to think differently, act differently, and speak differently. I am also quite ambitious and dream too big at times :)
2. What products and services do you provide under the name Merremade?
Merremade is mainly based in South Korea and I conduct regular courses, one-day workshops and work on commissioned works from time to time. I also travel back to Singapore to teach and work on projects/collaborations. I’m looking forward to venturing into international projects too.
3. How has the Covid-19 lockdown affected your business?
I was in Singapore when Covid-19 hit Asia and the project I was working on was canceled. I flew back to Korea and the situation got worse. Everyone was in panic and very worried about what would happen. All my scheduled classes were postponed to much later date. And thankfully, I was able to resume my classes 2 months later (in May). During that 2 months, I was lucky to still have income from my online course. I spent that whole period working on things that I had procrastinated on and of course experimented with many new tools, materials, ideas that I had for the longest time.
4. How have you had to adapt your business in light of the Covid-19 lockdown?
Surprisingly, there was no lockdown in Korea at all. But people were advised to work from home and stay away from crowds. Everyone was going online for everything. So, in the earlier stage, I focused more on my online course and connecting with my followers and students. Is online platforms. When I was able to resume my offline classes, I followed the precautions and measures that were set for public meetings.
5. You recently began offering in-person workshops again. When did you decide it was an appropriate time? What challenges do/did you face?
Honestly, I wasn’t ready to have the classes any time soon. I was skeptical and worried even now. Students were waiting for me to resume classes and always checking on the dates. The drop in the number of Covid cases helped me decide to start my classes again. At that point in time, we were looking at less than 20 infected cases per day. It was progressing really well but we can’t let our guards down isn’t it?
I sanitise the entire room (yes, including the doorknobs and all my tools before and after workshops. I also prepare sanitisers and extra masks just in case. My classes are held in smaller groups (maximum 3pax) now and we practice social distancing. The biggest challenge is not knowing if anyone is carrying any virus including myself. We are all risking at this moment to have any face-to-face workshops. But these small measures, gives us peace of mind. Not just for myself, but also for all the participants in the same room.
6. Tell us about the International Crafts Design Association and its designation.
It is a private association registered and approved by the Korean government. The purpose of the association establishment is to promote the development of craftworks in Korea. Having a registered association, I’m able to issue official certificates to prove that the student has completed the full course and is capable of teaching what she/he has learned.
The course consists of general paper flower fundamentals, basic to intermediate skills. They will learn up to 10 different types of flowers and a few types of foliages. After which, they will take a written test and once they pass, they will receive the official certificate. They will then become certified Instructors under ICDA and be able to teach what learned from them.
7. What made you decide to implement certification of completion for your workshops?
In the beginning, I didn’t think issuing a certificate of completion was necessary. However, in Korea, having a certificate plays a big role if you want to teach. It is a kind of recognition and people acknowledge that you have gone through the whole training to become a certified instructor.
8. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I may not be the best person to go to, but if you need any listening ear/advice, do drop me an email. I’m willing to share my experiences. We are in this together. Have faith and we can get through this together. Stay safe!
This week on our Paper Talk Podcast, we want to talk about when it's ok to work for free with our friend, Kate Alarcon.
As much as we hate to admit it, we've all made paper flowers for "free" in one way or the other. Often, it's in the early stages of our paper flower journey, when we're desperate for exposure when we don't have the guts to ask for the right kind of compensation (or any compensation at all) when we're not all that confident about work.
If we're lucky, we come out of it a better artist or entrepreneur with opportunities that we never dreamed of. On the other hand, if those opportunities aren't fruitful, we might feel slightly disappointed, even resentful perhaps.
When would you work for free? In this episode, each of us explains when we've worked for free and why those opportunities were or were not ones that we would ever do again.
Read the transcript here.
Last week on our podcast, Paper Talk, we dove into the world of branding with Kalisa Jenne-Fraser and Missy Palacol of Kalyx Group. We loved and learned so much from our conversation that we extended into this week’s episode. Our focus shifted from finding the heart of your business (in short, the brand) to the ins and outs of marketing your business.
If you haven't listened to "How and Why Branding and Marketing Go Hand in Hand (Part 1)" be sure to listen to that Episode!
Let's learn a bit about Kalisa and Missy:
1. Introduce yourself to us (again)!
Kalisa Jenne-Fraser is co-founder of Kalyx Group, a brand, and marketing consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. Kalisa is a brand marketing consultant who specializes in strategic brand planning, content marketing, and digital media strategy. She has spent almost her entire professional life delivering marketing strategies and insights to global brands, non-profits, and startups alike.
In 2016, after nearly 20 years in corporate marketing and consulting, she left her comfort zone to take on new challenges, expand her skillset, and hopefully help build something awesome from the ground up in Kalyx Group. Through Kalyx Group, she offers consulting and training programs that teach entrepreneurs and small business owners how to translate their passions into actionable brand strategies that work.
Missy Palacol is a Seattle-based, nationally published brand photographer, digital marketing expert, and speaker. She teaches people and companies how to capture their authentic visual brand and how to leverage social and digital media to grow their businesses.
In 2014, Missy left her full-time career in corporate marketing and struck out on her own with Missy Palacol Photography, capturing rich and memorable imagery for brands. In 2016, she co-founded Kalyx Group, where she combines her enjoyment of photography with her deep knowledge of marketing and digital storytelling.
2. Tell us about your brand and marketing business, Kalyx Group.
We founded Kalyx Group in 2016. We’re are a team of brand and marketing strategists with over 30 years combined experience helping companies – from global Fortune 100s to local startups and solopreneurs – develop and implement strategies that drive results. We especially have a passion for small businesses – we bring a simple, effective, affordable approach to marketing that starts with brand clarity and ends with a well-thought-out strategic marketing plan. It’s our mission to help brands streamline their marketing approach by consulting on the right tactics to employ at the right time.
3. Given the consistent disruptions we’ve seen in 2020, how should brands think about shifting their marketing for the new normal?
We are in the acknowledge-and-adapt phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. But we also have to plan for life beyond the crisis. As we navigate what we know, businesses must work externally to keep their brands and customer journeys as a whole as possible, while working internally to do three things:
Understand the impact of business interruption and continue to triage the unexpected.
Lean into digital ways of working and connecting with customers, knowing that this will likely have lasting effects.
Mitigate risks to the customer experience by thinking realistically from the outside in.
4. How should brands think about building resilience in the new normal?
If you use this time to reset and reimagine your new interactions with your customers, you can actually survive and thrive in uncertain times. With any business, the customer journey and keeping your customers satisfied are important to your business’ growth.
For example, we work with a local gym that offers a bootcamp program. Before the pandemic, all classes were in person. Like most businesses, they had to figure out a way to switch to an online model in order to survive these uncertain times. The goal with their new online class model was to not only support their existing clients but draw new clients in too.
We helped our client think about a tiered model that would incentivize their existing clientele to still pay the monthly fee for a new online class by offering extra value -adds to their clients through things like weekly check-ins and bonus content. These efforts helped their brand to continue to build trust with their clients who then started recommending their online classes to their friends…and their client’s friends weren’t just fellow local people. Because of their flexibility with their business approach, they grew their business outside of their local area and are now able to reach new clients nationally – this was an unexpected outcome for them and not just helping them survive right now, but thrive!
5. Should brand’s stop advertising during uncertain times?
The brands that are finding success through these uncertain times didn’t completely halt their advertising, but they did take a pause. It’s kind of like crossing the street of a busy road, it’s best to stop, look, and listen first before you proceed. You want to make sure that your marketing efforts are not only relevant but don’t become tone-deaf to the times we were in.
Once you’ve figured out how to make any necessary shifts to your marketing then, advertising in uncertain times like today can be really successful. For starters, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have seen a huge increase in daily users since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With more people working from home and looking for ways to stay connected they are turning to social media for that. And a lot of businesses and brands have pulled back on their marketing spend, so advertising avenues such as paid or sponsored ads on Facebook and Instagram have come down in price lately, meaning your $50 budget for a sponsor ad currently goes further than it used to in pre-pandemic times.
6. During these uncertain times, what would you say are the do's and don’ts?
The DO's
Pause and listen so you can approach any disruption in the best way possible for your business and brand.
Present with empathy and transparency when times are uncertain -People feel vulnerable right now. Empathy is critical. Most major airlines, for example, were quick to implement a “Peace of Mind Policy”, waiving cancel and change fees for those that don’t feel comfortable traveling during the pandemic or have a sudden change of plans because of the pandemic.
Associate your brand with good - People will remember brands for their acts of good in a time of crisis, particularly if done with a true heart and generosity. This could take the form of donating to food banks, providing free products for medical personnel, or continuing to pay employees while the company’s doors are closed. For example, consumers will likely remember how Ford, GE, and 3M partnered to repurpose manufacturing capacity and put people back to work to make respirators and ventilators to fight coronavirus.
The DON'T'S
Don’t try to do it all. Call in an expert to help if you aren’t sure how to proceed.
Don’t completely stop all of your communication, advertising or marketing efforts in uncertain times – it’s in these times, more than ever, that your consumers what to hear from you.
Don’t stop creating content - instead, double down on content creation, and make sure some of your content addresses key questions your customers might have as they go through the disruptions we are currently facing while also creating other types of content; these pieces of content will give you a massive advantage when things settle down.
READ THE PODCAST TRANSCRIPT HERE
GET YOUR FREEBIES!
HEAD OVER to the Kalyx Group website to download a free PDF copy of the Brand Readiness Checklist: How to Prepare for Disruption!
Learn more by following Kalisa, Missy, and the Kalyx Group on social media:
WEBSITE | Kalyx Group | Missy Palacol Photography
INSTAGRAM | @missy.palacol
We’ve all taken different paths to the wonderful world of paper flowers, but one thing that unites us is a love of our craft. It’s no surprise that many of us want to turn that passion into a business. But even if you make the most amazing, creative flowers, you may have found yourself feeling a bit over your head when it comes to the branding and marketing side of things.
That's why we reached out to two incredible ladies: Kalisa Jenne-Fraser and Missy Palacol. They are the talented duo behind the consulting firm, Kalyx Group, and in this podcast episode, they share insights and tips to help businesses succeed.
First, let's learn a bit about Kalisa and Missy:
1. Introduce yourself to us!
Kalisa Jenne-Fraser is co-founder of Kalyx Group, a brand, and marketing consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. Kalisa is a brand marketing consultant who specializes in strategic brand planning, content marketing, and digital media strategy. She has spent almost her entire professional life delivering marketing strategies and insights to global brands, non-profits, and startups alike.
In 2016, after nearly 20 years in corporate marketing and consulting, she left her comfort zone to take on new challenges, expand her skillset, and hopefully help build something awesome from the ground up inKalyx Group. Through Kalyx Group, she offers consulting and training programs that teach entrepreneurs and small business owners how to translate their passions into actionable brand strategies that work.
Missy Palacol is a Seattle-based, nationally published brand photographer, digital marketing expert, and speaker. She teaches people and companies how to capture their authentic visual brand and how to leverage social and digital media to grow their businesses.
In 2014, Missy left her full-time career in corporate marketing and struck out on her own with Missy Palacol Photography, capturing rich and memorable imagery for brands. In 2016, she co-founded Kalyx Group, where she combines her enjoyment of photography with her deep knowledge of marketing and digital storytelling.
2. Tell us about your brand and marketing business, Kalyx Group.
We founded Kalyx Group in 2016. We’re are a team of brand and marketing strategists with over 30 years combined experience helping companies – from global Fortune 100s to local startups and solopreneurs – develop and implement strategies that drive results. We especially have a passion for small businesses – we bring a simple, effective, affordable approach to marketing that starts with brand clarity and ends with a well-thought-out strategic marketing plan. It’s our mission to help brands streamline their marketing approach by consulting on the right tactics to employ at the right time.
3. Let's dive right into your expertise. Why are marketing and branding important?
First of all, we’d like to take a sec to explain the differences between branding and marketing. Many people think they are one and the same. In a nutshell, branding is WHO your company is and why it exists. It provides your business with a real identity. The ideas, the emotions, the beliefs, the values, the looks, the experience of your business. Marketing is HOW you build awareness. It’s the activities that you do to create the awareness and power of your brand. Marketing teaches consumers who you are and why you matter to them and the value of your goods and services.
Having a good branding strategy for your business helps to improve recognition in your industry, creates trust, communicates your professionalism, builds financial value, and inspires your potential consumers. Having a solid marketing plan that aligns with your brand strategy is important because it helps you let people know who you are, expands your audience, and reaches your sales goals.
4. What is the number one thing that new entrepreneurs do wrong?
We tend to see our entrepreneur clients try and do everything and then get so overwhelmed that they let their brand and marketing efforts fall by the wayside which leads to them working harder at operating their business without a plan in place. We get it, small business owners especially, are stressed, overwhelmed, strapped for time, and have limited budgets.
On the other hand, we see small business owners that do have a budget for branding and marketing support, hire a professional to help them, but the hired professional efforts fall short because of their lack of clarity of your brand – they aren’t sure who the brand is and how to reach that ideal consumer on your behalf. -Their marketing work ends up being more complex and time-consuming than it needs to be at your expense. Consistency always wins.
5. What is a realistic marketing/branding budget for a small business? What if I only have a small budget?
The good news though, is that a little effort can go a long way. Small business owners do not have to spend significantly more time or money to get better results. So long as you have clarity about what you want to do and a strongly defined brand.
For example, logo creation. If you have clarity of what your brand is and what it stands for, it’s easy to hire a logo creator through a service provider/platform to do that work for a few hundred dollars or less. If you haven’t done the work to define who your brand is and what your brand stands for, it’s very difficult for the service provider to do their job, which ends up costing you more because time is money.
6. There's a lot of hype about selling with a story. What are your thoughts on that?
We strongly believe in storytelling because it’s easy for the brain to understand and doubles down the, “know + like + trust formula.” Storytelling allows your consumers to get to know you better, which then turns them into liking you, and then the liking turns to trust and when a person trusts a brand, they are 100% more likely to buy from them.
READ THE PODCAST TRANSCRIPT HERE
GET YOUR FREEBIES!
HEAD OVER to the Kalyx Group website to download a free PDF copy of The Brand Audit Worksheet!
Learn more by following Kalisa, Missy, and the Kalyx Group on social media:
WEBSITE | Kalyx Group | Missy Palacol Photography
INSTAGRAM | @missy.palacol
In this Episode, we talk to our friend and fellow paper florist Anna Chedid about how she is handling social distancing during this unique time in our history.
For many of us, it's been weeks since "normal." We no longer leave our houses without hand sanitizer and a face mask. We count the number of people present when we hang out with our neighbours, friends, or family. Our food cravings are now conditioned around what exists in our fridge and pantry. All of our interactions are now more... complicated.
As artists, we are used to working from home or our studio, often working alone for hours. But that is by choosing. So what happens when we're forced to be isolated from others for a long period of time? How do we stay healthy?
First, let's learn a bit about Anna:
1. Tell us about yourself! Who is Anna Chedid?
That's probably the hardest one to answer! I'm Anna, Brazilian, designer, paper artist, crazy cat lady, coffee drinker, chocolate lover! I was born and raised in Brazil, lucky to have a very caring, warm, and supportive family. I married a lovely guy that is also a designer, photographer, musician and cooks all sorts of delicious food. We moved to the USA two years ago, the husband is to blame, with our two cats and I have been dedicating my time to @floresdaannita full time.
2. Tell us how you started making paper flowers.
I started making paper flowers after I got married. I made a lot of things to decorate my wedding party and some accessories too, so my husband told me that I should start to make those things and sell them online. I had NO IDEA how to make things happen, had no experience in the business area at all! But he helped me set up an online shop and with product photography as well.
Having a background in fashion helped a lot too. So one day I was looking for tutorials on how to make fabric flowers and I ended up finding a Martha Stewart tutorial about paper flowers, that was the official beginning for me on the paper flower world. I have memories of my mother making paper flowers for birthday parties, for my grandparent's 50th anniversary as well when I was a child.
She even made me a pair of paper angel's wings so I could be one of the little angels at the Coronation of Our Lady of The Rosary, it's a Catholic thing! I guess the only books about paper flowers available at the time, 2013, were Livias's and Rebecca's. I bought them and I found some antique digitalized PDFs with paper flower making tutorials and used a lot of fabric flower-making tutorials as well to help me create blooms.
3. It sounds like your creations had a lot of potential from the start. How have you been able to make your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
I think it's due to several factors. I was exposed to a lot of plants and flowers when I was a child, I always have a good aesthetic sense, I'm not bragging just being realistic. As a child and in my teenage years I was exposed to art, music, architecture, design, and was very encouraged to create things with my hands. I was always drawing, painting, and being "annoyingly creative" sometimes!
I have a Fashion design degree, and that helped me with the technical part and also the bureaucratic stuff that is always a pain to deal with for me. A lot of the research part that I do when I wanna start a project, for example, comes from the methodology that I've learned in fashion school.
You have to use all the tools you have to make it work, I use my personal experiences and all the skills I acquired over the years to express something visually. I think that if you respect your creative desires and use the tools that you have in a good way, you can make good stuff and people can relate to it. Just do what makes you happy at first, and improve from there. It can sound simplistic and naive, but it's the truth!
4. What are some of the challenges you've faced as an artist?
Oh, I think the major challenge is about making money. In the beginning, it was painful. I had no idea how to price my product and how to keep track of my expenses and income. I had to figure it out by trial and error, and there were a lot of tears and self-doubt, lots of unwanted advice from people with zero experience in business but for some reason thought that they should give them.
The money factor and all that comes with it, made me have lots of negative thoughts about what I was doing and if it was worth all that pain. That can impact in a very bad way when you are the one dealing with all the demands of a business, but especially on your creative and productive side.
5. Since moving from Brazil to the United States, you've had to put your business on hold. How do you feel not being able to sell your art?
It was a tough decision to make! I was finally making money with paper flowers, I had lots of brides, art directors, prop designers that reached out for collabs and projects, I was getting recognized as an artist in Brazil and that is a big deal. But living abroad was in my plans, actually was something that my husband and I talked about since we met, so I've already had a plan in case that happened.
I also already knew that I was not going to be able to work under the visa I currently am, so I took advantage of this to focus on evolving my work. I wish I could sell my pieces, for sure, but I know I can't and I have to live with that. I focus on other things instead of trying to find some illegal way to sell my pieces, that's just not me!
6. Tell us about your hashtag #ordinarycolorful. What inspired you to start this hashtag?
I was just trying to elevate my photography skills. I love to organize things by color so I started to look for objects around the house that have similar colors and put them together like a mood board that I could take a pic from above.
I liked it so much that I decided to post some of those pics and it wasn't my intention to make it a collaborative project. It was Janita, @mywoollymammoth, that planted the seed in the back of my mind. I'm responsible for the name, but she is the one to blame, she encouraged me and gave a lot of support spreading the word about the #ordinarycolorful. So It's not just mine, it's Janita too!
7. You've been exploring different ways to present, style, and photograph your paper flowers lately, sometimes focusing on colour, and at times, parts of a flower, and you even had a series of flowers native to your homeland, Brazil. What drives you towards these experimentations?
I've learned over the years that if you have an urge to create something, you have to allow yourself to fail, to make things that have nothing to do with what you are currently working, to learn something new completely unrelated to what you do for a living. When you practice this, when you put yourself in an uncomfortable position, you free yourself and the way you relate to your work.
It also makes you not take for granted what makes you the person you are, your identity. I love to organize my thoughts by colors, for example, I do that since I was a child. This is something that I can do almost naturally, so why not take advantage of that? Or why not look to my homeland and try to replicate the beautiful plants and flowers that made my childhood so special?
8. As a seasoned paper florist, what advice would you give to a paper florist who is starting out today?
Enjoy the HUGE amount of information that you have available now and practice a lot! When I started there was so little info about paper flowers, it was basically none. Now, there's a lot of tutorials, books, videos available, a lot of good stuff out there, and some of that for free. Also, stop sharing the work you make to get other people's approval! Share for you, make for you. Use your personal references to evolve your style. I grew a lot when I stopped looking into other floral paper artists' work for inspiration. Look for other sources of inspo, music, architecture, fashion, etc.
9. Do you have any paper flower making tips to share with our listeners?
Be kind to yourself and practice a lot! Explore the materials, especially crepe paper. Stretch, torn, bleach, paint, fold, cut, glue, play with your papers!
10. Do you have a favourite tool you use on a daily basis?
I would say my hands, but having good scissors are a game-changer. And I don't have a brand that I recommend because it's a very personal tool. Try some to find the one that works the best. For me, the scissors have to be light and not too big, my hands are kinda small.
Thank you Anna for chatting with us today and sharing your invaluable experience!
Be sure to follow Anna and her beautiful paper flowers on social media!
INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/floresdaannita/
WEBSITE | https://floresdaannita.com/
Today we talk to Lucia Balcazar, the author of Build a Flower: A Beginner's Guide to Paper Flowers. Lucia has an easily recognizable signature style of deep colours and strong graphic lines in her paper flower art. Formerly a statistician, she changed her career path to follow her love for the fine arts, and her art reflects a maturity and confidence that is a hallmark of later-in-life artists. Her first book, Build a Flower, provides a refreshing take on paper flowers by exploring different types of paper materials and techniques. It's a perfect book for beginners who are keen on trying different mediums and ideal for crafters/artists who want to take on something fun.
Listen to us chat with Lucia about her new book, how she manages her tendonitis, and how she balances her mom-life with her art.
First, let's learn a bit about Lucia:
1. Who is Lucia Balcazar?
I'm a statistician turned paper flower artist. I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota but grew up in La Paz, Bolivia. I went to college in Chicago, moved to Berlin, travelled through Asia, and lived in Tanzania for a while. I changed careers and went to art school in Boston, where I live now with my husband Jose Andres and baby Matilde.
2. How and why did you start making paper flowers?
The first time I made paper flowers was during a massive snowstorm in Boston. We had been stuck at home for days. I had come across paper flowers online while researching ideas for my wedding and fell in love with the idea right away. I gathered whatever materials I had at home and made my first (very wonky!) paper flower. I used blue painter's tape instead of floral tape, thick modeling wire instead of floral wire, and fine art paper with no stretch. The results weren’t great but I felt really proud of my first attempt.
3. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your paper flower journey?
I’ve had to deal with tendonitis pain on both my wrists. When the pain gets really strong, the idea of making flowers is so daunting and it’s hard to push through the pain to finish projects. I got cortisone shots on both hands, but they only alleviated the pain on my right wrist.
For the left wrist, I wore a brace for a long time and the pain has gotten much better but it’s not completely gone. I think a lot of artists in our community deal with this type of pain, unfortunately. I need to get better at practicing hand exercises. Another challenge I have faced is also very common amongst artists and crafters. For the longest time, I struggled with pricing my work and I often undervalued myself.
4. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
There are so many amazing paper flower artists out there and it can be intimidating sometimes. But something that helped me stand out was to incorporate my creative (and non-creative) background into my paper flower making. For example, I love art history (20th-century art in particular) and created a series that recreates modern art paintings using paper flowers (#modernartpaperflowers).
I also used experiences from my travels as inspiration to make orchids from exotic places and a series of travelling paper flowers, where I hold a paper flower against a city background in the places I visit (#travellingpaperflowers).
Also, I’ve come to embrace the fact that my botanical knowledge is very limited. I think this has allowed me to approach flower making with fresh eyes and to focus on color and shape, not so much on botanical correctness. I’m not concerned with getting the botanical details right, I just want to make colorful things. If I want to add a blue center to a magnolia, I just go for it, I don’t feel bad taking as many creative licenses as I want.
5. Tell us about Build a Flower: A Beginner's Guide to Paper Flowers.
The book is targeted towards beginners and explores 5 different types of paper with 5 flower tutorials: a cardstock wall flower, a doublette crepe tulip, a florist crepe peony, a fine crepe ranunculus, and a tissue paper dahlia. I incorporated basic paper flower techniques into these 5 tutorials that the reader can then apply to other flowers. I'm hoping the book will excite beginners into further exploring the world of paper flower crafting. My publisher is Abrams Books from New York, I feel so lucky to have worked with such a great team.
6. How do you balance working at home and raising a young child?
This has been tough, of course, and my creative output has gone down considerably. I don't post to Instagram as often as I would like and I don't take as many commissions as before, but I try to find time in the evenings to create. I have an 18-month-old and I take care of her full time. She is very sweet and funny and I feel very fortunate to be able to spend so much time with her.
But I do miss having time to make art. I get a couple of hours when she is finally asleep and before I also start closing my eyes while operating a hot glue gun! I've had to pull all-nighters to work on commissions for events because that's the only time Matilde is not rummaging through my paper. And working on the book was especially hard because she was going through a sleep regression (waking up every 2 hours!).
7. What advice would you give to a paper florist that is starting out today?
Explore all the different papers that are available to discover which one feels right for you. Experiment with the different paper crafting techniques and soon you will develop your own style. Also, the paper flower community is very welcoming. It is definitely not about competition, your creative voice matters and is appreciated.
8. Do you have any paper flower making tips to share with our listeners?
Lately, I’ve been laminating most of my paper, petals, leaves, stamens. Laminating is basically just glueing two pieces of paper together. This makes the paper sturdier and more durable, and you can get very sculptural shapes while the glue is still wet. I work mostly with doublette crepe, which lends itself to this technique because it is not as textured as a florist crepe and not as thin as a fine crepe. It takes longer but I love the end result.
Learn more about Lucia Balcazar by following her on social media:
WEBSITE | www.LuciaBalcazar.com
INSTAGRAM | @luciabalcazar
As paper flower entrepreneurs, we are always re-evaluating our business and trying to tweak our strategy so we can increase our profit margin while at the same time, saving time. In the last few years, subscription box offerings have been taking off (even our very own Quynh offers one!).
So we wanted to explore why a business owner may decide to include a subscription offering as part of their monetization strategy and how they would go about designing the offer and launching it. Naturally, we reached out to the perfect person to give us a frank perspective - Rachel Heath, the face behind the Flora Fun Box, and the designer of Trill Flora.
Rachel launched her Flora Fun Box (which is full of floral goodness) in December 2019. In this Episode, we talk to her in-depth about why she decided to pivot her business, how she decided on the subscription offering and the things to consider when launching a new business product.
First, let's learn a bit about Rachel:
1. Introduce yourself to us! Who is Rachel Heath?
Hello! I’m Rachel. I live in the greater Seattle area, and I’m a mother to a five-year-old and twin one-year-olds. Way back when I worked in the book industry before eventually switching to the floral world. I have a habit of picking industries I’m passionate about.
2. What made you switch into the floral world and become a florist?
My husband and I moved to Seattle for his graduate education, and the original plan was that we’d only be here two years. I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to try something out of my wheelhouse, something I’ve always wanted to do but never dared leave my career to attempt. So, I got a job in a floral shop. We ended up staying in Seattle, and I stayed in the floral industry.
3. Is that when you started your events company, Trill Flora?
That's right. I started my floral event company, Trill Flora, in the winter of 2015-16, around the time my daughter was born. I decided to build an event business because I realized that the way daily shops operate just wasn’t for me. Events allow much more creative freedom than most of the bouquet work done for daily deliveries. While I still do some rare delivery work for holidays, I definitely prefer the creative work of special events like weddings.
4. What turning points in your life led you to where you are now in your personal and business life?
After building up Trill Flora for a few years, I got to a point where I wished I could share flowers with people who didn’t live close to me, and that’s something that’s really hard to do when you have a perishable product. My twins’ birth brought lots of sleepless nights, and these ideas started buzzing around in my head.
I wanted to figure out how to send stuff to people so that they could make arrangements themselves. So much of designing flowers comes down to having the right tools and equipment, and it suddenly becomes so much easier and accessible and fun then. So that’s when I started cooking up my Flora Fun Box subscription.
5. What a great idea! Tell us a little bit about the Flora Fun Box.
Flora Fun Box is a carefully curated, seasonal, floral subscription box. I pick very specific pieces that are beautiful in your home with or without flowers and also provide you with everything you need to put it all together. This includes digital online demonstrations that teach you how to make an arrangement, plus other tips and tricks of the industry. We also throw in more fun things to help you get in the mood for the season, entertain friends, cultivate your own floral garden, or just get crafty.
6. It must be exciting being able to share flowers with non-industry people, but I bet there are challenges to offering subscription box too.
It’s rewarding to be able to serve people outside of my immediate community. It’s quite difficult to offer my services to anybody outside of the greater Seattle area unless it’s travel for a wedding which is a whole different ball game. Being able to make connections and share in the joy and excitement of flowers with people in a broader space is really fun.
The more challenging aspects definitely include being chained to the schedule of the boxes. I knew this going into it, which is why I chose a seasonal schedule instead of monthly. Other challenges are shipping, curating the right pieces, fitting everything into a box, and designing the box.
7. Who is your audience and what are they looking for when they pick you?
My audience for the Flora Fun Box is four different kinds of people: flower lovers, crafters, lifestylers for home decor, and hosting enthusiasts. We try to include something for each of those types in our box every season. It’s not easy to host a party these days, but I definitely feel that there’s something to be said for making things beautiful and lovely for yourself. Keep things a little more emotionally healthy during your own quarantine experience.
8. There are so many types of subscription box offerings these days. What do you think makes the Flora Fun Box stand apart?
Most activity or craft kits are geared toward children. There aren’t a lot of subscription boxes for adults that actually have to do with creative expression and learning new things. Most subscription boxes don’t come with online education, and most online education doesn’t come with a subscription box. Putting those two together was a very difficult thing to do. They don’t go hand in hand very easily. It’s a lot of work to get the online content done on time, as well as the box. But that’s what makes me stand out the most.
9. With so much going on in your business, how do you balance your busy family life with being an entrepreneur?
If anyone has an answer I’m happy to hear it! I try to have childcare between 6-12 hours a week, depending on what I have going on. Because of the stay-at-home orders through the spring, that has become pretty tricky. But a big part of it is having support from family. My husband is very supportive and helps me carve out time in our busy schedules to focus on my business.
10. Do you have any advice for an aspiring creative entrepreneur?
Being a creative entrepreneur can be really difficult because usually you either have a really strong creative side or a really strong entrepreneurial side. It can be hard to meld those two together. My best advice would be to focus on growing your entrepreneurial skills.
I think the creative side of things can come a little more naturally and easily, but entrepreneurial skills are often best learned through classes and networking. You need to focus on staking out your place in an industry that is probably quite saturated.
11. Lastly - a flower question! What are your favourite flowers to design with and why?
Hellebores top the list, for sure. I also love working with berries like blackberries and tinus viburnum. That last one is absolutely opulent, lovely, different. Just perfect. I really enjoy textural things. Cosmos is also a very fun flower, since they’re so happy and just dance in arrangements.
GET YOUR DISCOUNT!
Rachel has kindly created an exclusive coupon for our listeners to get $15 off with the code PAPERTALK
From Rachel: "We are currently in the middle of Summer Sales right now, with our Autumn box just around the corner, and our super special holiday bonus box (not part of the subscription to be announced over labor day.)
Also, update: you will very soon be able to mark an "international" shipping option and we'll sub out any organic products with a choice of additional non-organic products. (ie, we'll swap a dahlia tuber or seeds with another extra goodie of your choice.)"
Head on over to the Flora Funbox website to use the coupon!
Be sure to follow Rachel and her Flora Funbox on social media!
WEBSITES | www.trillflora.com | www.Florafunbox.com
INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/trillflora/
FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/Trillflora/
In this episode, we address some of the concerns that Quynh has about her collaboration with artists for The Posey Box and the issue of intellectual ownership. We both offer online courses for purchase, and we teach workshops on a regular basis.
As teachers, we want to ensure that we provide high-quality content - from instructions to templates - to all of our students. If you buy a course from us or learn from us at a paid workshop, it’s more than a business transaction for us; it’s a student-teacher relationship. But there’s also the possibility that someone may take our hard work and re-sell it or re-teach it for a profit.
We have also been students; as students, we are interested in learning new skills and techniques and are willing to pay for it. However, it’s always unclear what you can do with the intellectual property you’ve then acquired. What can we do with the skills and techniques learned, or the templates, or the paper flower? Then there’s the approach that as consumers, once we pay for something, it’s ours to do as we wish.
We discuss all of these issues in this Episode. Consider our discussions on an informal discussion between two friends. We recommend you contact an intellectual property lawyer for legal advice.
> You may hear our intern, Cillian, in the background at some point in our discussion. It seems like he already has strong opinions about the matter!
May 14 is International Paper Flower Day, and in celebration of this special day, we've invited one of our favourite artists, Kate Alarcon of The Cobralily, to talk about it with us. Thanks to Kate - she came up with the idea of designating a specific date to celebrate our paper flower community and our art - paper flowers are spreading like wildfire around the world.
Listen to Quynh and Jessie as they talk to Kate about how she came up with the idea of International Paper Flower Day, the impetus for it, and what she hopes it'll achieve.
GIVEAWAY is CLOSED
Be sure to head over to our IG account and check out our International Paper Flower post for a chance to win a copy of the following books:
Jessie Chui's Paper Flower Art: Create Beautifully Realistic Floral Arrangements
Kate Alarcon's Uncommon Paper Flowers
Lucia Balcazar's Build a Flower: a Beginner's Guide to Paper Flowers
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter into the Giveaway, leave a comment below our International Paper Flower post (@thepaperfloristsorg) on how you are planning to celebrate paper flower day or who has inspired you to become a paper florists. Giveaway is open for the entire day of May 14, 2020. One entry per person. The 3 winners will be announced on the following day. See below for the Terms & Conditions.
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:
The “Giveaway” involves the selection of a winner of a copy of “Paper Flower Art” by Jessie Chui, and a winner of a copy of "Uncommon Paper Flowers" by Kate Alarcon, and a winner of a copy of "Build a Flower: a Beginner's Guide to Paper Flowers" by Lucia Balcazar, pursuant to the Terms & Conditions set out herein.
The Giveaway period will run for the entire day, May 14, 2020, from 12:00 AM (PT) to 11:59 PM (PT).
The “Prize(s)” means a copy of “Paper Flower Art” by Jessie Chui, a copy of "Uncommon Paper Flowers" by Kate Alarcon, or a copy of "Build a Flower: a Beginner's Guide to Paper Flowers" by Lucia Balcazar, and is non-transferable.
To qualify, a “Winner”:
Must be 18 years or older as of the date of entry;
May be an international (non-US) resident;
Must have submitted an entry into the Giveaway;
Must have submitted an entry for the Giveaway within the Giveaway period;
Is permitted to submit only one entry.
The “Winner” Selection, Notification, and Responsibilities:
The Winner(s) will be a randomly selected person using a random selection app conducted by The Paper Florists Collective;
The Winner(s) will be notified of their winning within 24 hours of the giveaway closing via a direct message on Instagram by The Paper Florists Collective;
Once notified, the Winner(s) will provide The Paper Florists Collective with his/her full name, shipping address, and phone number; The Paper Florists Collective shall have no liability for a Winner’s failure to receive notices due to the Winner’s spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for the Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If a selected Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 72 hours from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and releases as required, the Prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected.
If applicable, the Winner will be responsible for any customs, duties, and taxes associated with the delivery of the Prize
The Paper Florists Collective is not responsible for delays in delivery of the Prize(s) after the item(s) has/have been checked in for delivery to FedEx, UPS, or United States Postal Service; loss, damage, or theft of the item(s) after the item(s) has/have been checked in for delivery to FedEx, UPS or United States Postal Service; or shipment sent to an incorrect address provided to The Paper Florists Collective by a Winner;
The Paper Florists Collective reserves the absolute right to post-delivery of the Prize(s) using the most economical shipping option available with or without the ability to track the shipping as it deems appropriate.
The receipt by the Winner(s) of the Prize(s) offered in this Giveaway is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state/provincial laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT THE PAPER FLORISTS COLLECTIVE’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
One of the highlights of Quynh's involvement in Design Days 2020 was having the chance to meet Holly Heider Chapple! You've likely seen Holly's beautiful work all over social media and she's been featured in numerous wedding magazines and wedding blogs. Her flower arrangements are always exquisitely composed and styled.
One look at her websites (yes, she's got 3) and you can see it reflects her personality and her style perfectly. She's the founder of Chapel Designers, the owner of Hope Flower Farm, and the artist behind Holly Chapple Flowers. She's a HUGE name in the floral industry, so much so that she's dubbed the "Flower Mama" by her peers. You wouldn't know it because she is so incredibly down-to-earth, warm, and engaging.
With the help of her family, she's turned her floral business into an empire. In this Episode, she is joined by her son, Alex, the Director of Education and Communication, who has become an integral part of her business.
Listen to Holly and Alex as they talk to us about their flower farm, their floral business, and how they're adapting their business in light of the Covid-19 related restrictions.
If you hear the chirping chicks in the background, they're from Holly's farm!
Let’s get to know Holly:
1. Introduce yourself to us! Who is Holly Chapple?
I’m a floral and event designer based in Virginia, and I serve clients in the D.C. area. I’m also a flower farmer, an educator, an inventor, and a mother of seven.
2. How did you decide to become a florist? What turning points in your life led you to where you are now in your personal and business life?
I grew up in the garden center/produce market my parents owned. As a child, I had to help in the field, sell tomatoes and corn, and tend to flowering plants. I also did basic designing during the holidays. The first centerpieces I designed were for my father to sell during the Christmas season. Flowers have always been a constant in my life.
I started working as a florist because I was looking for a way to stay at home with my children. I did my first design work by the kitchen sink. My first wedding work was for a friend, a woman who lived up the street. Initially, my business grew because of word of mouth. But a big turning point in my business was the advent of social media. I was an early adopter of blogging and Instagram, and my work on both platforms made me more visible.
I’ve always been very transparent on social media about how hard this work is--especially as a mother--and it has resonated with clients over the years. And other florists, many of whom choose to study with me at workshops or online.
3. Tell us about your company, Holly Heider Chapple Flowers.
First and foremost, we are artists at Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD. Very busy artists, working across multiple divisions.
Second, we are family. And much of the work across these divisions is focused on bringing you into our family.
You can read more about us here: https://www.hollychappleflowers.com/about.
4. What is it like working with family members as you have been growing your Company?
This has been incredible for the business, as we all have very different strengths. My husband is remarkable at finance, business policies, farming, and build-outs. He is also an incredible teacher. My son Alex has brought a new strength to our company because of his strong communication and writing skills. Alex is also a people person so he is wonderful at caring for our students. Alex is the Director of Education and Communication. By working together I hope we are building something that will endure.
5. Can you tell us about your beautiful farm, Hope Flower Farm?
Hope was a working dairy farm. The main house and barn were built in the 1820s. Through the years, an additional tenant house and two other barns were added to the farm. The original property was over 400 acres; years ago most of the land was developed and the farm was reduced to 25 acres. The tenant farmers were Mr. and Mrs. Hope; they worked the farm for over sixty years. The property was for sale for almost four years before we finally were able to acquire the farm.
In honor of the Hopes, we named the farm Hope Flower Farm. The manor house is used for styled shoots and a residence for our teachers. Floral design students stay in the tenant house or at local B&Bs and hotels. Three barns are used for education and events. We haven’t had a wedding at the farm yet, but we’re preparing to host our first there this year.
We grow daffodils, tulips, blooming branches, several thousand peonies, dahlias, lots of annuals and other perennials.
6. What is Chaple Designers and what is its mission?
In 2010, I asked the floral designers following my blog and social media, “Does anyone want to meet me in New York?” They did. After years of offering advice, guidance, and moral support to fellow designers on social media, I designed a conference for them to meet and study together in person for the first time.
And so Chapel Designers - the first organization of its kind - was born. This network of like-minded industry professionals came together under my wing. They call me “Flower Mama,” and now Chapel Designers from all over the world meet to study together all over the world.
Essentially, we are a collective of wedding and event designers. We work together and support each other so we all find success. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, I have never been more grateful for this group.
You can read more about the Chapel Designers Mission here: https://www.chapeldesigners.com/information
7. You've partnered with Syndicate Sales on the development of the Holly Chapple Egg. What is the Holly Chapple Egg? Tell us about the development process and how you came up with this ingenious product?
The egg was born out of necessity. I was trying to achieve a certain type of design for a bridal bouquet - for a special bride - when I came up with the form. Syndicate Sales often supplied hard goods to our Chapel Designer workshops, so I knew that I could go to them with the mechanic concept. We had design meetings, sought a patent, and the rest is history.
8. You also have a line with MP Bastian Leathers. Tell us about this line.
I needed an apron or belt that did not fall apart. My tools are constantly pointing downwards and destroying any cloth aprons I wear. This sturdier custom-made piece is water resilient and so much more durable.
9. How do you decide which businesses and/or designers to partner/collaborate with?
This is often about the relationship I have with a particular person or brand. I am very people-focused. The concept/product is always born out of need. I am very careful about who I work with as I want to protect the integrity of our company which has taken 28 years to build.
10. We love that you define yourself as an artist. What would be your advice for an aspiring artist?
Sometimes, just create for creation’s sake. Design things that inspire you and keep you motivated. If you feel like you are just producing and not creating art, you need to rethink where you are at. I say each design or piece that leaves the studio should make our studio proud!!
11. What are your favourite flowers to design with?
Lilac, Peonies, Dahlias, Ranunculus, Garden roses…… whoops I could go on forever.
Learn more about Holly and Alex Chapple, along with Holly Chapple Flowers by following them on social media:
WEBSITE | Holly Chapple Flowers | Chaple Designers | Hope Flower Farm
INSTAGRAM | @hollychapple | @chapeldesigners | @hopeflowerfarm
Last year, Jessie had an amazing opportunity to showcase a few pieces of her floral sculptures at The Freedom Factory Toronto after one of the owners of the gallery, Tiffany MacIsaac, handpicked her to be a part of a juried group show of 60 artists.
The experience was rewarding for Jessie in so many ways - exposure to the local art community, engagement with other artists, commissions, and other unexpected opportunities, and taking a prize home for placing 2nd in the juried event. The most exciting was meeting Tiffany herself - a self-taught artist, curator, and visionary behind The Visual Arts Movement.
In this Episode, we chat with Tiffany about her unique approach to curating art, her no-commission art gallery, and her advice to aspiring artists.
Let’s get to know Tiffany:
1. Tell us about yourself. Who is Tiffany MacIsaac?
I am a Toronto based self-taught artist and curator, as well as co-owner of The Freedom Factory Toronto.
2. Tell us about The Freedom Factory Toronto
The Freedom Factory is a no-commission art gallery, event space, and creative hub. We believe that creativity is a state of mind rather than a talent you're born with. Whether you're an artist or an accountant you need creativity in your life! Artists who exhibit with us keep 100% of their sales and we subsidize this by offering private events and curated micro weddings in our space.
3. What is The Freedom Factory's Visual Arts Movement and Weddings?
V.A.M - The Freedom Factory's Visual Arts Movement provides emerging artists with a platform to:
exhibit their work in our juried exhibition for a chance to win amazing prizes
showcase their work in front of industry leaders, art collectors, and the public
sell their work in a zero commission environment
attend professional development workshops and expert panel art talks
as well as creative networking events and art parties
It takes place once a year in various locations around the city as it is too big for our gallery space and typically we accept 60 artists into the juried exhibition. This show is so near and dear to our heart, we actually started curating this exhibition before we opened the first gallery almost 5 years ago. It is such a wonderful opportunity for emerging artists to put themselves out there in a way that can make a true impact on the trajectory of their career and build confidence.
Our Micro Wedding service is something we started to offer officially at the top of this year after seeing so many couples coming to our event space stressed about the cost and workload of planning their large-scale dream day. It is essentially an ALL INCLUSIVE Luxury Micro Wedding Experience designed by local artists. Invest in your marriage, not your wedding! Learn more here.
4. Why would an artist want to show his/her work at a gallery?
Pictures are worth a thousand words but nothing is like seeing an artist's creation in person. It is wonderful to take full advantage of online marketing etc, but hanging your work in a physical gallery gives people an opportunity to view your work up close and personal with trained sales staff on hand to convey the passion and story behind each piece.
Of course, sales are the main objective, however, so many incredible opportunities come from the exposure that showing with a gallery can bring also. Connections to industry professionals who can help further your career, introduction to future buyers and collectors, commission opportunities, brand partnerships, and so on. It is also a great opportunity to build a network of other creatives and like-minded people whether for business or personal connection.
5. How does an artist get shown at a traditional art gallery versus your art gallery?
Typically galleries will post open calls for artists if they are looking to curate group exhibitions with a particular theme. Each open call and gallery will have a specific set of submission guidelines (please read them carefully and treat it like applying for a job). These calls for artists are typically found on the gallery's website or social media platforms.
I think it is important to do your research when it comes to which galleries are best suited for the style of work you do and which you think would best resonate with you. Each will have a different process for how they take on an artist. With us, if you're looking to have a solo exhibition we have a link to start that discussion on our website.
6. What does a curator look for in an artist's work?
I think this varies between curators. While technical ability and precision in your work obviously speaks for itself, I personally look for artists with something to say, whether it's taking a style I have seen again and again and making it your own or the ability to convey a message or story that needs to be shared... for me I would rather work with an artist who has a unique style and voice but may need to work on their technical skills to someone who is "perfectly" trained but lacks originality. But that's me...there is a place for everyone.
7. Who determines the price of artwork at an art gallery? What is the industry standard percentage/proportion that an art gallery receives from the sale of an artist's work?
Typically we work with an artist prior to solo exhibitions to iron out pricing. There are many factors that can be taken into account when pricing art.
Most galleries in the city charge between 20% and 65% commission on the sale of your work ... we take nothing!
8. Given today's artists have the ability to directly market to buyers, how relevant is it today to show at a gallery or be represented by an art agent?
I think that showing in a gallery is always relevant! Again, it gives prospective buyers an opportunity to see your work in real life and it is never the same experience as seeing it online. Also as I previously mentioned there are many opportunities that come as a result of exhibiting, connections to industry professionals who can help further your career, introduction to future buyers and collectors, commission opportunities, brand partnerships, meeting other artists.
You can always get your feet wet with group shows exhibiting one or two pieces at a time. This can give you an opportunity to see how buyers react to your work and decide which galleries you prefer working with.
I am not for or against the idea of an agent...I would caution an emerging artist to really do their research before signing on to a representation deal exclusively whether it's a gallery or an agent as there are a lot of people out there looking to sell you the dream and take advantage.
I would not want to be paying my agent a commission on top of paying the gallery they are putting my work in a commission ... it all adds up fast and before you know it you're left with nothing after your time and supplies etc. It's like that band who signs the record deal right away because they are excited but now that label owns them and they're still broke. But certain deals are worth making, just do your research.
9. What would be your advice for an aspiring paper flower artist?
Own your craft! It is an art and just as worthy of being shown in any place your heart desires to see it . Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to hear no.
Also, make it your own. What sets your paper florals apart?
10. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?
Yes, we have actually started our own podcast called Creativity Unleashed where we invite you to reconnect and explore the multi-layered chasms of creativity that exist within each of us. We will also introduce you to our network of artists and industry professionals as we explore creativity as a state of mind rather than a talent you're born with. Here you will find guided meditations, insightful conversations, and evocative tools to help you unleash your full potential... because when we live life from a place of creative thinking, the opportunities are endless.
Learn more about Tiffany and The Freedom Factory by following them on social media:
WEBSITE | The Freedom Factory
PODCAST & BLOG | https://www.thefreedomfactorytoronto.com/blog
YOUTUBE | Creativity Unleashed Podcast
INSTAGRAM | @thefreedomfactorytoronto
FACEBOOK | /thefreedomfactorytoronto
Today we talk about our passion project for the last few months - Paper to Profits!
When we returned from the Masterclass in Monroe, Washington last year, we met so many incredibly talented paper florists who were hungry for more information on how to transform their hobby into a viable business and build it to last.
So for a year, we mulled over how to deliver the content we knew so well. As female paper florist entrepreneurs with a wide variety of experiences, we have so much experience and skills to pass on to our students and to mentor them, but how?
And then the Covid-19 pandemic happened and many people lost their jobs or their positions became precarious. We began to reflect on the priorities of our lives and realized that life is too short to live it working in a job that we had no passion for.
So it became clear to us that this was the perfect time to offer a Program that could help our students become their own entrepreneurs, to be their own boss, and to help them live their dream.
We have designed Paper for Profits as a program for people who want to earn a living from paper flowers. It guides them through the beginning steps of forming their business to setting up their bookkeeping to managing their customer relationships. We made sure to share an extensive catalogue of resources, templates, and checklists that we personally use in our own businesses. These tried and true systems will help propel a paper flower hobbyist to turn their passion into a thriving creative business.
Listen to us as we talk about this passion project and what we want all paper florists to learn so they can earn a living making paper flowers.
The launch date for Paper to Profits is May 1st! You can sign up for our newsletter at www.thepaperflorists.org to be the first to know about it. For all of our previous students, we will have a deal for you so make sure you check your Inbox!
April is Financial Literacy Month so it's the perfect time to talk about money with Meka West of Penny Smart Girl! Meka is a certified accountant and she is the founder of online bookkeeping and money coaching firm called Penny Smart Girl.
April is also the month for tax-deadlines so we are picking Meka's brain today on all things bookkeeping and tax-related! She has generously shared her experience and advice in this Podcast and in this blog post. She is seriously a wealth of information and generosity!
Let’s get to know our bookkeeper friend, Meka West:
1. Tell us about yourself. Who is Meka West?
I’m a Midwest original that moved to Seattle in my twenties. I bought a house at age 21, raised my son as a single mom until he was 12, and have been lucky to work in some great roles along the way.
I believe in living life with a cherry on top. This means creating a life balanced with work but also time to enjoy the things that bring us joy and make us feel. So even you aren’t a fan of cherries, whatever your cherry on the top moment is… the moment that makes you pause and cherish that moment, that’s what I mean. I enjoy cherry on top moments with my husband, my son, our two very spoiled rescue cats, Nin-Nin the secret ninja, and Jackson the mischievous tabby. I also love traveling the world and enjoying yummy food adventures.
2. Tell us about Penny Smart Girl.
Penny Smart Girl is a virtual bookkeeping and money coaching firm. Penny Smart Girl (nicknamed PSG) was born from my love for empowering people to be more in control of their money story. It doesn’t matter if you like numbers or not, it’s more about getting in touch with the life you want to live. What goals do you have? What kind of work fulfills you? That’s what the numbers can reveal. And that’s what having a handle on your money can unlock.
I consider myself a business owner first, an accountant second. As a business owner first, it positions me to be a small biz advocate and money mentor.
3. Why might a business owner need a bookkeeper and/or accountant? Why might someone need money coaching?
There’s a common statistic I always hear that states “half of new businesses fail during the first year,” which is alarming to think about the success rate is only 50%. However, the Small Business Administration (SBA) says that’s not necessarily true. They say the more accurate breakdown is:
30% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open
50% during the first five years
66% during the first 10 years
And at a business conference I attended a few years back, a survey said 89% of small businesses said they were more successful when working with an accounting professional.
I feel that often business owners try to do everything in their business because they are new or can’t afford to hire a bookkeeper or accountant to manage their “books”. But I strongly believe that if you have an accounting professional set up your systems and train you how to maintain it, you really set yourself up for success in the long run.
I’m sure I could maybe figure out how to make home repairs on my own, but it would involve me literally “winging” it. And I certainly wouldn’t feel confident that I did everything right. Because I didn’t go to school for that and home repair is not one of my gifts. So, hiring someone that has been trained in that skill, is going to be my best option.
Money coaching is often more focused on mindset, strategy, and goals. It is something that can be done as a standalone service or in conjunction with bookkeeping/accounting services. Often money coaching focuses on cash flow, budgeting, rolling out new service offerings, and keeping an eye on any income goals you have.
Working with professionals can really help you to start out on a solid foundation. Start small with a training session and reassess as your business grows and gets too much for you to handle all the moving parts.
4. What bookkeeping/accounting programs/apps should a business owner have/use?
QuickBooks is the standard that the majority of Banks, CPAs, auditors, the IRS are equipped to work with that. I would say Xero is a close second to being a standard/common program.
However – Wave and Freshbooks are nice entry-level software that seems to be user-friendly for non-accountants. I can’t speak in depth on them because they aren’t designed for an accountant like me, but the key is to find a system that works for you that you will use frequently. The results to consider is how easily can it compile the data needed to get your reports to your CPA or yourself at tax time.
5. What important tax deadlines should small business owners in the USA and the State of Washington be aware of?
It’s important to know that taxes do not just mean the IRS (which is federal taxes). There are also city and state business taxes. The deadlines for city and state taxes will vary based on the size and type of business you have.
Federal annual income taxes are due:
Business & Occupation (B&O) Sales/Excise Tax deadline (City/State)
Self-Employment Estimated Tax (Federal, due to the IRS)
This tax is due quarterly. Please note that the quarters are divided so that you actually only pay it three of them during each year, rather than the traditional four quarters per year:
Quarter 1 (covers Jan 1 – Mar 31st)
Due July 15th, 2020 (normally due April 15th but extended because of Covid-19)
Quarter 2 (covers Apr 1 – May 31st)
Due July 15th, 2020 (normally due June 15th but extended because of Covid-19)
Quarter 3 (covers Jun 1 – Aug 31st)
Due Sep 15th, 2020
Quarter 4 (covers Sep 1 – Dec 31st)
Due Jan 15th of the following year.
Link to these dates on the IRS site:
https://www.irs.gov/faqs/estimated-tax/individuals/individuals-2
6. What documentation does a small business owner need to file their taxes?
To file your taxes, you need a listing of all your business sales, and all business expenses for the year you are filing.
Keep in mind that typically states require you to report your gross income, but the IRS considers your income and expenses. So, having the total income earned and total expenses is the best documentation to have.
Remember receipts are just your backup. Tax time is not the time to start organizing your box or folder of receipts. It should be something you do on a monthly, quarterly basis.
Good recordkeeping (or bookkeeping) is the methodology of compiling those receipts, invoices, etc. into a usable report that summarizes your data for you.
If you are using an accounting system, the common reports to use are the Profit and Loss report and a Balance Sheet report. If you are tracking in Excel or a notebook, try to organize it by expense category and by month. I recommend having a summary page that will show a recap of your full year.
7. What are common business expenses that small business owners can deduct from their taxable income?
The common business expenses that they can deduct are:
Car expenses and mileage
Office expenses, including rent, utilities, etc.
Office supplies, including computers, software, etc.
Health insurance premiums
Business phone bills
Continuing education courses
Parking for business-related trips
Business-related travel expenses, including flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.
Postage
8. During this time of economic downturn, what are your top 3 budgeting tips for small business owners?
Especially considering our current events, I would say looking at your budget and doing a bit of spring cleaning is highly recommended right now to keep your business sustainable:
Take care of yourself. Try to stay calm, safe & healthy. It’s okay if business slows down right now. You can use the quieter time to strategize for new opportunities. Or to build more connections within your network for when things pick up again.
Figure Out what’s the “Cost to Run Your Business” Numbers.
Know your numbers. Calculate the amount of income that comes in each month (if it varies, look at the last 3 or 6 months as an estimate)
Create a list of all expenses each month
Subtracting your expenses from your income is your “bottom-line” aka your profit. That’s the base amount you need to sustain your business.
Minimize Expenses/Maximize Income/Savings
To minimize:
In these uncertain times try to keep expenses to a minimum if you can.
Speak with vendors on putting services on hold or reducing the rates temporarily if possible
Hold off on big investments
To maximize:
If you can reduce spending, put the savings aside to build up a savings reserve.
If there is a new service offering you can create an offer, do it! And if you’re able to keep your expenses low so you can consider this new income source a “bonus” for your business.
9. What else should our listeners, many of whom operate small craft businesses, be aware of with respect to their obligation to file their taxes?
Check with your city and state to make sure what the income threshold is for when you are required to have a permit or business license. Often new and or small businesses think they aren’t a “real” business if they are some large corporation.
Checking this, in the beginning, can save you from penalties or fines down the line.
Here are some links to the Apps that Meka mentioned in this episode:
Avalara (Cloud-based tax software) - avalara.com
Taxjar (Tax solutions for e-Commerce sites) - taxjar.com
Quickbooks (Accounting software, online available) - quickbooks.com
Wave (Cloud-based accounting software) - wave.com
Freshbooks (Cloud-based accounting software) - freshbooks.com
Learn more about Meka and Penny Smart Girl by following her on social media:
WEBSITE | https://pennysmartgirl.com/
INSTAGRAM | @pennysmartgirl
TWITTER | @pennysmartgirl
We are catching up with Mike Benson of Carte Fini. Carte Fini is based in San Diego, California and it is an online distributor of Cartotecnica Rossi Italian crepe paper and ships worldwide.
Mike chatted with us on Paper Talk way back when we first started this podcast, on Episode 2. You can read and hear more about Mike on Episode 2: Friends of TPFC - Chatting With the Crepe Paper King.
Carte Fini has been a generous sponsor and collaborator of our workshops. In addition to sponsoring the 2019 Masterclass in Monroe, Washington, Mike also attended our Toronto Workshop in September 2019.
Both of us were lucky recipients of a sample package of the 90 g Italian crepe paper and we were one of the first few to have tested the paper. We are incredibly thrilled to see that it's now available for purchase on Carte Fini's online store.
Today, we talk to Mike about our love for the 90 g and Carte Fini adding Design Master sprays to their product lines.
> In this Episode, we also talked to Mike about being part of our Garden Rose Workshop in Seattle in June. Subsequent to our podcast recording, the Workshop has been postponed due to the State and Federal restrictions implemented as a result of Covid-19.
Learn more about Mike and Carte Fini by following them on social media:
WEBSITE: www.cartefini.com
INSTAGRAM: @cartefinicrepepaper
This year, from February 26 to March 1, 2020, our florist friend and mentor, Alicia Schwede of Bella Fiori and the Flirty Fleurs blog, participated in a floral event by Fleurs de Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival where she and her team created a floral dress from fresh florals.
Learn more about Alicia when we previously chatted with her on Episode 17: Friends of TPFC: Collaborating with a Florist.
Listen as she talks about this amazing event (which takes place in different cities around the world) and the process of creating her beautiful floral dress.
Learn more about Alicia, Flirty Fleurs, and Bella Fiori by following her on social media:
WEBSITES:
INSTAGRAM:
We admire sugar flower artists from afar but sometimes we just can’t help ourselves and want to know more about this craft that is in ways so similar to our own. One of the artists we admire is Nita Komarakul. Nita is the artist behind the beautiful sugar floristry we see on her Instagram account, Pushface. Her flowers are delicate and feminine, with a realism that strikes us with awe every time.
Today we talk to Nita to learn more about her and her art.
First, let’s get to know a little bit about Nita:
1. Who is Nita Komarakul?
Mother, flower lover, and restauranteur.
2. How did you get started making edible flowers? What drew you to this art form?
In my childhood, my mom always supported me both in arts and musical. Every birthday she always baked a cake for us. All these are influenced me to go into the baking world which first I started from sugar cookies and then came across sugar flowers, driven by a curiosity of how to make sugar flowers more natural and life-like.
3. Tell us about Pushface. How did you come up with this name?
It’s from my two French bulldogs which are commonly called PUSHFACE.
4. Do you have a studio space?
Yes, I have a small room in my house where all my flower was made.
5. How long have you been in business?
From 2015 when I started baking, but for sugar flower nearly 4 years.
6. What services/products do you offer?
We offer both sugar flower workshops, but also birthday cakes and celebrations, also wedding cakes with handcraft beautiful sugar flowers.
7. Tell us about the different mediums you use, eg. sugar, edible clay, bean paste, wafer, etc.
I have tried all these mediums sugarpaste, edible clay, bean paste, and wafer paper; all of them have pros and cons. My personal preference is the medium that can reflect the petal to look real not too translucent or rigid. The easipaste meets my need: It’s white in colour, flexible and softer but strong enough to hold the shape. This can be rolled extra thin to make realistic flowers.
It dries slower than gum paste, which gives you additional time to do your petals. It also works well in high humidity with no mould, it also reacts very well to colours.
8. What types of workshops (and where) do you offer?
This year we would like to introduce and expand easipaste for sugar flower lovers more and more.
This year I’m going to teach in Somerset, England in April for an easiflowerpaste class - it is a 2-day class which is suitable for a beginner - you will learn how to make an easipaste from scratch to make a beautiful flower. I will also be teaching in August in Osaka, Japan.
9. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
Being “ under the priced” - In my country, people still do not value sugarflower art pieces, even though one flower requires both time and skill put into it.
10. How would you define your artistic style? How did you find your artistic style? What makes your art stand out?
My style is quite natural and life-like with feminine and delicate details. Honestly, I find it from the flower.
11. What advice would you give someone who wants to find his or her artistic style in his/her art?
Find what you like and enjoy it .. create your own self.
12. How do you balance your family with your art?
I try my best to keep my weekend time for my daughter and husband.
Want to learn more about Nita and Pushface? Follow her on social media:
FACEBOOK | www.facebook.com/pushface
INSTAGRAM | @pushface
Over the weekend, our governments began to implement stricter guidelines and policies regarding social distancing in efforts to "flatten the curve" and slow down the spread of Covid-19. Many countries are now prohibiting entry of non-residents and locking down many public spaces like schools, libraries, community centres, and daycares.
Large social gatherings like weddings, workshops, and events are being cancelled and/or postponed worldwide. It's not a surprise if Covid-19 is affecting you.
In this Episode, Quynh and Jessie talk about how Covid-19 is affecting them, how the Covid-19 related policies may affect their relationships with their vendors and/or clients, and the issues that may have to be addressed as a result.
Here are a few links to some resources to help you navigate through some of these issues:
HoneyBook: https://www.honeybook.com/risingtide/coronavirus-small-businesses
Wedding Industry Institute: http://www.weddingindustryeducation.com/coronavirusinformation/
Small Business Guidance and & Loan Resources from Darice:
If you guys recall, way back in Episode 4, we talked to Jodi Duncan of Design Master about her involvement with Design Master, her role in creating new colours, and how their colour products can help our paper florists community.
This time, we also had the chance to speak with Jodi along with Gretchen Sell, the Creative Director of Design Master, about Creativation 2020 and the new amazing colour products just released by Design Master. Gretchen also provides tips on colour shifting and how we can take advantage of the unique recipes of their products - from Colortool, Just for Flowers, to Ubermatte - to create a more sophisticated colour palette.
Above and below are some of the products mentioned in this episode that we cannot wait to try out!!
Below is an excerpt of our interview with Jodi Duncan in Episode 4:
1. We know that Design Master has been around a long time. Can you tell us the history and how you got involved with Design Master?
Mark Addison created DM. The idea was born around a kitchen table in 1961. Mark was an art-loving accountant who saw a need and an opportunity and Design Master was born. He is very much retired but he is still active and can be found around our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado from time to time. Design Master was born to serve florists who needed colors that were unavailable.
In 1961 distribution looked much different than it does today. Design Master was born as a color solution and remains so today across multiple diverse surfaces. We create color for the floral artistic community. Attributes of our products include: Multi surface. Fast drying. We work with chemists to develop our formulas and our Color Tool formula was the original. Our founder Mark was passionate about education and we are still to this day very much interested in supporting color education for artists in multiple mediums.
I started doing stage demonstrations and hands-on classes for Design Master in 2008. I was a fierce floral competition designer and won many regional, state, and national titles. That put me on their radar so they began to ask me to travel and teach and do programs for them nationwide.
I began to develop relationships with the great team at Design Master and they found out I was more than just a designer & speaker, but also could help with marketing, social media, and product development. So it was & is an evolution. Now I have a retainer contract with them and I’m on board for all kinds of creative color endeavors with the fantastic team at Design Master.
2. Can you tell us the proper way to use your spray paints?
We have basic common sense info on the can as well as our website, dmcolor.com.
Ventilation. Don’t spray around the flame. Common sense. Check the label. Non-toxic when dry. The application part needs attention. There are certain ways we use ALL tools. For instance, don’t run with scissors!
3. Any precautions we need to be aware of and how to store the spray paints?
Just avoid temperature extremes. Nothing above 120degrees. It lasts 20-30 years in the can so it does not get old...just shake vigorously.
4. You have so many beautiful colors of spray paints and tints and we want to know if you have a plan to expand your color line?
Yes, they will be released in July! We are so excited to show you the new trends in colour that we have been working on bringing to the market. Gretchen and I are very aware of the color trends and hyper-aware of what is happening with color and how it develops as well as consumer responses to color.
5. Are there any colors that you are retiring?
We have several colors that are still available but retiring. Coral Bell and Platinum are about to go away. Modern Metals is also about to disappear, as is Cherry Wood Tone. Aspen Yellow is going, to be replaced with a new yellow. Almond and Terra Cotta are also being retired and replaced with fresher versions. Fashion does not stay the same and neither does the color world!
6. Also, is there a spray that will help us preserve the colors over a long period of time?
We are looking into that with our team of chemists.
7. We love that you support the Paper Flower Community so much by highlighting so many amazing paper florists’ works via Instagram and Facebook. If a paper artist wanted to get a feature on your IG and Facebook feed - what’s the best way to tag you to get noticed?
Just tag us and give us permission to share the posts and projects. We love user-generated content! Bring it ON! Send us a DM or just tag us.
8. What other ways does Design Master support the community?
Our ways of supporting the paper community are as fresh as the community itself. We underwrite many educational endeavors and workshops for paper florists and look forward to being a part of the growth of paper florists. We are always excited to develop relationships with distributors to get our cans in your talented hands. We are always at Creativation and showed paper floral in our booth and had a tremendous response in January.
9. What are some questions that you might have for the paper florist community?
What are the avenues of growth you see for your products? Home decor? Nursery? Commercial displays? Weddings? Other directions on the horizon? Do most paper florists operate with tax license? Or as an enthusiast?
10. What are some things that you would like people to know about Design Master that we haven’t already covered?
Our emphasis is on color on surfaces. We are not just an aerosol. We are not just hardware store paint. We are of diverse color. And we are color education.
11. Finally, where can we find your products?
We have a diverse distribution channel that serves the consumer market with Michaels, AC Moore, Ben Franklin, and regional craft chains. We have on our website different options for places to purchase online. If you have a TAX id license you can buy professionally at floral wholesalers across the country.
Learn more about Gretchen, Jodi, and Design Master through social media:
WEBSITE | www.dmcolor.com
INSTAGRAM | @dmcolor
When Quynh went to Florabundance Design Days in January 2020, she met the lovely Teresa Schafer of Alexandra Farms. Alexandra Farms is the largest grower of garden roses in the world. Located in Bogotá, Colombia, the farm grows 60 varieties of those fragrant garden roses that florists (and we!) covet.
Teresa is the Communications Manager at Alexandra Farms and an expert at garden roses. We were thrilled when Teresa agreed to talk to us about all things garden roses and to learn more about her company
We are also excited to announce that we will be working with Alexandra Farms on a collaboration later this year! We cannot wait to get Alexandra Farms garden roses in our (and in our students’) hands! **After this Episode aired, we had to cancel/postpone this workshop due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Let’s first get to know Teresa and Alexandra Farms a bit:
1. Tell us about Alexandra Farms.
Alexandra Farms is a boutique grower specializing in nostalgic, romantic fresh-cut garden roses. Our farm is located in the incredibly fertile savannah of Bogotá, high in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, where the warm days and cool nights are perfect for growing roses. The company began in 2005 when our founder Jose R. Azout met David Austin and began testing his newly-launched cut rose varieties.
We worked with other long-established breeders from Europe and brought more varieties back to Colombia, where we established Alexandra Farms and began growing on a two-hectare farm. Over the next couple of years, we tested around 500 varieties to see how they performed in vases and to determine how best to ship them.
In 2008, we moved to a bigger farm and began to grow 12 varieties that made it through years of testing. Our company continues to grow each year! We test and launch new varieties and phase out others as demand and trends change. We are fortunate to be the world’s largest garden rose grower, harvesting more than 300,000 stems per week - that’s nearly 16 million stems per year!
2. What types of roses are grown at Alexandra Farms?
We grow 60 varieties of garden roses. They fall into four collections: Deluxe Garden Roses, David Austin Wedding Roses (we are the largest licensed grower of David Austin Wedding Roses), Princess Japanese Garden Roses, and Wabara Garden Roses. We collaborate with rose breeders around the world and follow meticulous production techniques. The result is garden roses with rich colors, full shapes, and long vase life. Many also have a fantastic fragrance. They are truly special flowers!
3. Where does Alexandra Farms ship their flowers?
Our garden roses are available all around the world! We ship to every major market.
4. Who purchases your flowers and how are your flowers purchased? How can one of our followers get a hold of your flowers?
Floral wholesalers and importers purchase our flowers and make them available to florists around the world. Florists can find our blooms at floral wholesalers, and the general public can purchase from their favorite florist - we recommend asking for the roses by name: "Alexandra Farms Garden Roses". They are also available through floral wholesale websites such as GardenRosesDirect.com.
5. What is your role at Alexandra Farms?
As Communications Manager, I handle marketing, advertising, partnerships, social media, education, outreach, website, and more for Alexandra Farms. I work closely with our customers, influential designers, and industry organizations around the world, supporting their business, design, and educational efforts.
6. Tell us about your organized trips to the farm in Bogotá.
Once a year, we host the first-place winners of our annual Garden Rose Design Contest (https://www.alexandrafarms.com/garden-rose-design-contest) and their guests at the farm. We tour the greenhouses and see where/how the garden roses grow; we tour the post-harvest area where our garden roses are graded, sorted, and packed by hand; and we view varieties that we're testing for possible future release. We also enjoy some time sightseeing in Bogotá before everyone returns home. Occasionally we host influential designers or educational groups, as well.
7. Is there anything else you would like to share with our listeners?
Alexandra Farms is certified under the Florverde Sustainable Flowers seal. Florverde is an environmental and social certification confirming our commitment to environmental best practices, employment protections and the responsible treatment of people, and health and safety requirements. At Alexandra Farms, we believe in the importance of quality education.
To that end, we support the efforts of groups like European Master Certification, the American Institute of Floral Designers, the Society of American Florists, and more, as well as respected floral designers around the world, in their teaching efforts. Our website is a great resource for everything from proper care and handling techniques to learning how to pronounce the names of our varieties.
Learn more about Alexandra Farms by following them on social media:
WEBSITE | www.alexandrafarms.com
INSTAGRAM | @alexandrafarms
Farren Celeste is a paper flower company that offers templates for paper goods. Farren Haygood is the artist and face behind Farren Celeste. She is currently based in The Netherlands, but she is originally from the US. After moving to a country where she had no family and did not know the language, she had to reinvent herself and establish a new form of income.
She found solace in making her own paper flower cardstock templates and began selling them on her Etsy site in August 2019. Since then, her business has grown significantly.
In this podcast, she shares with us her secrets to success, from how to use social media to your advantage to how to earn passive and evergreen income to the pros/cons of using Etsy to sell.
During the podcast, you might hear a new voice…a baby’s! That’s Cillian, our baby intern, and Jessie’s new baby. You might hear him on some of these episodes as he tries out his voice at podcasting!
First, let’s get to know a little bit about Farren:
1. Who is Farren?
I’m a registered nurse turned creative business owner while living abroad in The Netherlands with my husband and dog, Callie.
2. How did you get started making paper flowers? What drew you to this art form?
I originally made and sold custom party decor and invitations while I was working full-time as a registered nurse. A customer requested invitations and a high chair banner for a “floral” themed the first birthday.
She had a real floral high chair garland saved on her Pinterest board. I thought, “How can I make something that looks like real flowers but won’t die?”…I saw some garlands made out of felt, but I preferred working with paper.
I found some flower templates that I could use with my Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine. By tweaking the templates a bit, I was able to make the high chair banner completely out of paper greenery and paper flowers. From there, I was hooked.
I fell in love with making cardstock paper flowers, because I can use my cutting machine to cut the petals. But, I was disappointed with the templates that were available. The flowers didn’t look very realistic, and they didn’t come with instructions.
So, I learned how to make my own! I now design and sell SVG cut file paper flower templates for cutting machines.
3. Tell us about Farren Celeste.
I launched Farren Celeste, Cardstock Projects for Cutting Machines in August 2019. The name is the combination of my first and middle names.
Our move to The Netherlands allowed me to take a break from nursing to focus on my business full time, but it also required a HUGE pivot.
Prior to the move, I would design and sell paper products on the side using my Cricut cutting machine. Over several years, I taught myself how to design my own SVG files (digital cutting templates for cutting machines) so that I could offer unique products. I NEVER intended on sharing or selling the original SVG files.
I knew that shipping internationally would be expensive and potentially complicated, so I decided to transition to teaching people how to make my designs themselves!… I also, discovered, that for creative people, like myself, half the fun is in the making of something with your hands! So, I also purchased a Silhouette cutting machine and learned the software so that I can offer my SVG files to both Cricut and Silhouette users.
I currently offer paper flower, invitation, and card SVG cut file templates. I also offer a limited amount of paper flower commercial licenses, so other paper florists can use SVG templates to make physical paper flowers for sale.
4. What advice can you give to a paper florist who finds himself/herself suddenly transplanted to another country and wants to continue to be creative?
First, give yourself grace. It is quite an adjustment to move somewhere new, let alone a completely different country (especially when you don’t speak the native language). Simple things like going to the grocery store can be completely overwhelming!
Once you feel a little more settled, try to connect with other local creatives. We are so fortunate to live in a time where there are social media! Just by posting on Instagram and tagging the location, I’ve been able to talk and meet with locals. They’ve been so helpful in helping me find supplies and I’ve been able to make some friends in the process.
5. Tell us about your Etsy Shop. How have you been able to stand out in the crowd of Etsy shops?
First, my paper flower templates stand out because the flowers look realistic, but they are approachable to make. Most can be made with or without stems, which makes them perfect for adding to garlands or other decors.
Second, I am able to stand out on Etsy because of the experience I provide my customers.
Each of my SVG cut file templates is like an online workshop. Each template comes with 1. Video Tutorials for Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio that show customers exactly what to click in their cutting machine’s software 2. An Assembly Video Tutorial and 3. A material guide with paper recommendations. Some of my largest orders have come from repeat customers.
6. What strategies do you use to monetize on Etsy and on social media?
I think of Etsy purely as a website that allows me to sell my products online. I don’t rely on Etsy to bring me sales whatsoever. While Etsy already has an existing customer base, I don’t wait for Etsy to bring me customers through their search features. I use social media to introduce them to my store.
But, you can’t just sell, sell, sell, on social media. You have to remember that social media is meant to be social. You have to provide value to your followers other than just the products you offer, and you need to engage! I try to respond to every single comment and direct message.
I try to post a mix of content that is inspiring, educational, or entertaining more than I post about what I currently have for sale.
7. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
Moving to the Netherlands has provided me with the time to focus on my business, but it has made every other aspect so much more challenging. Specifically, sourcing supplies.
Supplies are very limited here compared to the States, and one of my favorite cardstock suppliers does not even ship to The Netherlands. Even though I have a trade account with a different company, international shipping is extremely expensive. And, I also have to pay a 21% VAT tax plus import duties on anything I purchase from outside The Netherlands.
8. Tell us how you incorporate the use of a cutter like Cricut in your business.
My Cricut and Silhouette cutting machines are integral to my business. I literally cannot make my paper flowers without them. The detail on my paper flowers such as the anemones and blue thistle are so delicate, there is no way I’d be able to cut them by hand.
9. Do you have any tips (about paper flowers, social media strategy, Etsy, etc.) to share with our listeners?
Paper Flowers - First, decide what kind of paper florist you want to be. My paper flowers are intended more for the gift and party space as opposed to fine art. By choosing this path, it helps me to stay focused on the types of flowers I want to create and intentional in who I am creating them for. I currently do not offer any physical paper flowers at all. So, when I’m designing them I have to think, will my customer also be able to make this successfully?
Social Media - If you aren’t already utilizing video, you need to be. I know, video sounds completely overwhelming when it’s hard enough to come up with a variety of still photos to post. Start small by utilizing features like Instagram stories. Then, start experimenting with video content for your feed. People love seeing behind the scenes. So share, a bit of what you are working on!
Etsy - Utilize all the space that Etsy offers you. They give you 10 spots for pictures, so use them all! But, they don’t all have to be pictures of the product! I created images with information on them about the templates and upload those into the extra allotted pictures spots.
Want to learn more about Farren and Farren Celeste? Follow her on social media:
ETSY | www.etsy.com/shop/farrenceleste
INSTAGRAM | @farrenceleste
We first took notice of the minimally styled paper flowers of Yang Liu in her blue phase. This blue phase turned out to be her artistic collaboration with Anna Chedid at the VSCO studio. Influenced by her Chinese heritage, her dual Canadian-American nationalities, and her current hometown of San Francisco, Yang’s work strives to sit somewhere between dreams and reality.
Her paper flowers are showcased in a consistently clean and modern way. She does not shy away from creating various types of botanical objects, from dahlias to pear branches to dumpling boxes.
Listen to Yang as she shares her love for paper flowers.
Let’s first get to know Yang:
1. Who is Yang Liu?
I was born in Shanghai (hence my Instagram name, @shanghai.1984). I am currently a dual Canadian-American citizen residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Besides flowers and paper art, I also love having tea with friends!
2. How did you get started making paper flowers? What drew you to this art form?
I first came across paper flowers at the De Young Museum, where I saw Tiffanie Turner’s show and was amazed by what you could achieve in paper. From there I ended up taking classes with Tiffanie Turner and Lynn Dolan, both of whom are just amazing artists and teachers. I just fell in love with the medium and found crepe paper so intuitive for the way I wanted to express myself in flowers.
3. How would you define the style of your flowers? How did you find your style? How has your creative style evolved to what it is today?
I think my style continues to evolve, but I would say that my current style is introverted, romantic, and a little moody. It’s influenced by my Chinese heritage and my desire to create work that sits somewhere between dreams and reality.
I definitely have a natural “messiness” to my artwork - it took some time for me to embrace this as part of my natural artistic style and not something that I needed to control. I like asymmetry in my petals and leaves. I also enjoy creating intentional flaws in my work like bug bites or bruising to reflect that life is not perfect.
I honestly think that I found my current style just through making a lot of art and being willing to experiment. Sometimes my experiments do not work out and I start over, but this is a natural part of the creative process and something which I have learned to embrace.
4. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
Mostly by being willing to experiment. I try to choose colors, papers, and materials that not everybody is using in their work. You are forced to create your own technique this way. Naturally, that can help your final product look different from the crowd.
5. What are your ideal clients and/or ideal projects?
I’ve really enjoyed my collaborative projects with fellow paper artist Anna Chedid, also known as @floresdaannita. We shot our first project, “Botanical Impossibilities,” focused on the colour blue at VSCO Open Studios, which was just an amazing space to work in.
Our second project “Motherland Flora” focused on flora from our respective homelands and we used both Brazilian and Chinese papers in our work. I hope to do more collaborative projects as I feel it’s a great way to push yourself beyond your normal work as well as get to learn from another artist in a fun way.
More recently I’ve enjoyed working with an art gallery as my work was featured in “tiny,” a group show at STUDIO gallery in San Francisco. This is definitely an area I’d like to explore more.
6. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
I think there’s always the natural feeling of disappointment when you submit your artwork to an organization and it doesn’t get chosen. However, I try to take this in stride and just continue submitting my work to as many different places as much as possible.
7. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is starting out today?
Just try to learn as much as you can and don’t be afraid to experiment with techniques, materials, composition - the sky is the limit! I think having fun is pretty key to wanting to make paper flowers are they are time-consuming - so it’s ideal for people who really enjoy the process.
8. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is about to give up?
I would say take a break and try something new, whether it be a new medium, an art class you’ve been meaning to take, or just walk around outside and explore what nature has to offer. I think we get creatively exhausted if we are doing the same thing over and over again. I also love yoga when I need to just mentally reset.
9. Do you have any paper flower tips to share with our listeners?
Take time to really observe and look at real flowers and leaves as much as possible before you start your work and while you are building out your artwork. Observation really helps me figure out things like petal placement and how to join the leaves to the main stem that mimics reality. Also, I would say try freehand cutting to get a more natural look!
10. What is your favourite tool?
I have to say once I got my own set of pink Kai scissors, it was pretty life-changing.
Want to learn more about Yang? Follow her on social media:
INSTAGRAM | @shanghai.1984
WEBSITE | https://www.shanghai1984.com/
We welcome our first artist of this brand new year - Emily Paluska of Revery Paper Flora - on Paper Talk to learn about her paper flowers and business.
Known for her colourful and realistic paper flowers, Emily strives to make each and every piece special and unique. In addition to making paper flowers on commission, for wholesale, and events, she’s a prolific workshop instructor. In 2019 alone, she taught a total of 35 workshops in the Washington, D.C. area and Austin, Texas! Can you believe that before her very first workshop, she was so terrified that she considered not showing up?
Listen to Emily as she shares her workshop experiences through the lens of a successful entrepreneur. You won’t want to miss her tips and tricks invaluable for anyone considering teaching workshops.
First, let’s get to know a little bit about Emily:
1. Who is Emily Paluska?
I'm the owner and botanical artist behind Revery Paper Flora. I live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC. I balance running my business with trying to keep my two young children alive, one of whom is named Poppy because my love for flowers runs deep!
2. How did you get started making paper flowers? What drew you to this art form?
I started making paper flowers after my son was born. I was experiencing postpartum depression and was desperate for an outlet after I put the baby to bed at night. I was never a crafty or DIY type of person so I'm not sure why I thought doing something like this would be fun. I credit it to how dark of a place I was in. It made me desperate to cling onto something to keep me afloat. It was a toss-up between paper flowers or those really detailed coloring books.
Paper flowers ended up winning out. I made a paper flower every day for a year. It was my therapy and saving grace on the darkest of days. I'm not sure what made me choose flowers (honestly it was probably because it was the cheaper option that night on Amazon) but I'm so happy I did.
I had first stumbled upon paper flowers when I saw Lia Griffith's website. I found them appealing initially because I hated spending money on fresh flowers and thought paper flowers would be a fun alternative for me to have flowers around my home that I wouldn't have to take care of.
3. How would you define the style of your flowers? How did you find your style? How has your creative style evolved to what it is today?
Oh, this question is a hard one but I would say realistically unique. Some of the flowers I make are a lot more detailed than others, others are simpler and more understated. It also depends on the client and the specific project in question.
I found my style through a lot of practice. I make a lot of my flowers over a hundred times and through all those renditions, they evolve into something better, not just because of the practice but I am able to see it more clearly. I can see what things can be tweaked and how I can make the flower just a little better the next time. Having my flowers look real is very important to me. Color has also become integral to achieving realism. For the majority of my custom projects, I will always start with white paper so I can achieve the exact shade necessary.
4. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
I think the reason why I stand out in the crowd is that I do a lot of different types of work. I have my own personal projects, commissions, events, workshops, pop-ups, wholesale, and window displays. I think being able to show the wide range of the things you can do can showcase the value of what you bring to the table.
5. How did your name, Revery Paper Flora come about?
I named my business after my favorite Emily Dickinson poem called 'To Make a Prairie.' I'll share it with you now:
"To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few."
I loved this poem since the time I was a teenager. Revery is defined as a release from reality or a daydream. I love the idea that something like says a flower can spark a memory and bring you back to a different time and place. I want my flowers to feel like a little piece of magic to their recipients.
6. What are your ideal clients and/or ideal projects?
My ideal client is someone that gives me a lot of carte blanche to bring their vision come to life. I love it when I get just the basics like colors or a couple of flowers they like but the rest is up to me in how I can bring it all together.
I don't really have an ideal project. So many of my commissions are wildly different and I like that. I never want to feel pigeonholed into doing only one type of work. That would get boring and I can get restless easily so I find the constant change is good for me!
7. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
A big challenge I've found is finding the time to balance it all. If I could have my way, I would only make flowers and do no other parts of the business but that's not how it works. The administrative part of your business is integral to its success. Thankfully in the new year, I'm bringing someone on to help me with this!
Another challenge is that you should always get things in writing. If you are working with third parties or clients, you should protect yourself. Your expectations for a project or event may not be the same as the party you're working with. Make sure you're on the same page and have the paper to prove it.
8. Tell us about your workshops - how many do you do per year, where are your workshops located, why do you like to teach workshops, what is your teaching philosophy?
I taught 35 workshops in the last year in the DC area as well as in Austin, TX. I teach in a variety of places around the city. Some businesses have dedicated workshop spaces like The Paper + Craft Pantry, Steadfast Supply, The Lemon Collective, etc... and others have been special events like with Appointed Co.
I enjoy teaching workshops because a lot of my work is just me, sitting in a room by myself listening to true crime or foreign policy podcasts. I am a true introvert. If I could live in a house in the middle of nowhere and never talk or see humans again, I would be okay with that. All that being said, that's NOT healthy and it's really good for me to connect with the outside world.
It surprises people when I tell them that I am introverted but social interaction can really drain me. As I've gotten older, I've learned that putting myself out there is very important for my mental health. Feeling like you're a part of the world is crucial to keeping yourself grounded. It's also nice to talk to adults when you're surrounded by toddlers.
My teaching philosophy is that you're here to learn a new skill but you're also here to have fun. I never want people to feel pressure to be perfect. I always tell everyone at the start of class that nature isn't perfect so your paper flower shouldn't be either.
After elementary school is over, unless you go into an art-related field, you're not being forced to be creative or make a piece of art. I think stepping away from your daily life for a couple of hours to create something with your hands that you had no idea you could do before, is the ultimate self-care. I want people to enjoy themselves and use it as a temporary escape from the everyday grind.
9. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is starting out today?
My best advice is to just have fun with it. Don't start making paper flowers because you want to make money or turn it into a business. You can absolutely do that later but if you go into a new art form with that intention, people can see that. You want your art to be genuine.
Practice, practice, practice. You can read all the books or watch all the tutorials in the world but unless you build the muscle memory and skill yourself, it won't amount to anything.
Be kind to yourself. Let yourself make mistakes. Give yourself room to grow.
10. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is about to give up?
Unplug. Do not look at Instagram. Do not look at Facebook. I think most people want to give up because they play the comparison game and in that game, there are no winners.
Take a walk outside. Breathe. Maybe take an extended break from making. Remember what made you drawn to this art form in the first place. Maybe the break brings you back to it with a fiery heart ready to go or maybe it leads you elsewhere. Your art shouldn't drain you; it should bring you to life.
11. Do you have any paper flower tips to share with our listeners?
Say yes to the scary things. I think ever since I started my business I've been uncomfortable and scared SO MANY TIMES but I've found there is a 100% positive return on saying yes. You learn so much and you learn where your boundaries are and what things you love doing and the things that don't bring you joy.
12. What is your favourite tool?
I use a bead reamer for curling paper. I would be lost without it!
Want to learn more about Emily and Revery Paper Flora? Follow her on social media:
WEBSITE | www.reverypaperflora.com
INSTAGRAM | @reverypaperflora
Welcome back! In this first Episode of the new year, Quynh and Jessie discuss the special events that took place over the holidays and how they set/manage their goals for the new year.
Catch up with us while we talk about what we are hoping to achieve for Paper Talk and The Paper Florists Collective this year.
In the last Episode of the year, Quynh and Jessie discuss the importance of taking a break to reflect, to recollect, and towards making plans for the future.
This Episode reminds us that although there is no perfect time to take a break when you’re an artist and/or entrepreneur, it’s something we all need in order to grow. And what is a more perfect time than during the holiday season? Exactly. Not to mention that it coincides with the start of Jessie’s maternity leave!
Looking forward to returning in the New Year with more fascinating talks with artists and friends alike!
In the second last Episode of the year, Quynh and Jessie discuss the importance of taking a break to reflect, to recollect, and towards making plans for the future.
This Episode reminds us that although there is no perfect time to take a break when you’re an artist and/or entrepreneur, it’s something we all need in order to grow. And what is a more perfect time than during the holiday season? Exactly. Not to mention that it coincides with the start of Jessie’s maternity leave!
Looking forward to returning in the New Year with more fascinating talks with artists and friends alike!
Urban Craft Uprising organizes and creates makers events in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Its objective - to establish a strong makers community and to create a showcase for crafters - is facilitated by its President, Kristen Rask. Kristen, an artist in her own right, has been involved with UCU since 2008. She has organized and curated numerous craft shows and has a vast knowledge of vendor and artist experiences.
Listen to Kristen as she talks about her involvement in a large craft show and her advice for crafters who want to enter craft shows.
Let’s first learn a bit about Kristen:
1. Who is Kristen Rask?
Oh, man! I am a daughter, sister, fiance, maker, businesswoman. More or less that's me!
2. What type of artistic pursuits are you currently involved in, if any?
I love making stuff for my home right now as we just bought a house. But I just don't have much time for making these days.
3. Tell us about Urban Craft Uprising. What is it? How did you get involved?
UCU has evolved over the years. We produce many events ourselves in the year that provide opportunities to small business makers to sell their work and we team up with other events to activate spaces (like Amazon) and we put on a small business camp once a year that focuses on various topics to grow a business for small creative businesses. I started ten years ago in PR and Marketing. I am now the President.
4. What are the different types of shows that Urban Craft Uprising produces?
Our winter show, shows with Amazon, plant events with Amazon, etc.
5. Tell us about the application process for an artist/vendor who wants to be involved in one of your shows.
It's pretty simple but takes time. All info can be found on our website.
6. What type of artist/vendor are you looking for when considering applications to the Urban Craft Uprising show?
Oh man, there are so many things we think about. It's weird to say but the show presents itself as we jury.
7. What does an artist/vendor have to do to succeed at a craft show like Urban Craft Uprising?
Have a good setup, talk with customers, realize you are there not just for financial reasons but to connect with potential new clients in the future.
8. Tell us about the consulting services that Urban Craft Uprising provides.
We don't really provide those anymore. Not enough time in a day.
9. What kind of challenges do you face organizing a large craft show like Urban Craft Uprising?
Ha, where to start? Making maps is really hard. Saying no to friends. I feel like I have like 150 children I want to care for and put a lot of pressure on myself to make everyone happy.
Learn more about Kristen Rask and Urban Craft Uprising by following her on social media:
WEBSITES | Urban Craft Uprising
INSTAGRAM | @urbancraftuprising
FACEBOOK | Urban Craft Uprising
This week, we talk to Laura Richey, the artist and face behind 2CLVR Designs. From her home studio in London, Ontario, Canada, Laura specializes in using card stock paper to create beautifully realistic and detailed paper flowers for weddings, home decor, and gifts. One look at her work and you’ll be blown away by her attention to detail and colouring techniques.
In this episode, we talk to her about how her paper flower journey began, her challenges juggling her family and a successful business, and her experiences with card stock, flower wall rentals, and related topics.
First, let’s get to know a little bit about Laura:
1. Who is Laura Richey?
Hi, I am Laura Richey. A wife, and a mother of two boys Max and Sebastian. Max is 10 soon to be 11 and Sebastian is 9 and has autism.
2. How did you get started making paper flowers? Why did you decide to focus on card stock as your main medium?
Why did I start making flowers...well the reason is Sebastian. Once he was diagnosed it rocked my world and I had to leave my job and stay home so I was accessible by the programs and therapists for him. I started making cards and scrapbooks with little flowers and then I was hooked and wanted to just make flowers.
My first wedding came and I had to make a seating chart with flowers after that I dove into weddings. Why did I pick card stock well at the time that was the only medium I knew. I also had a ton from making cards and scrapbooks so why not. Over the years I have learned more about different weights of paper and how I can use them.
3. Tell us about your business, 2CLVR Designs. What services do you provide? How has your brand and style evolved to what it is today?
My late mother-in-law named my company, she came up with the name because she always said how clever I was. I provide all types of paper decor from single blooms to giant self-standing blooms, full paper floral walls, home decor florals, and a few paper sculptures.
4. Tell us about your recent rebranding. Why did you decide to change your brand and/or business model?
I am working on rebranding my business in 2020 to start doing what I want to do more. I want a new feel to my business and want to be seen as something a little more then. Change is good, right?
5. How would you define the style of your flowers? How did you find your style?
The style I feel is more realistic blooms. I try my best to make them look more realistic like what you would see in a florist fridge or garden.
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other paper florists?
I feel like I have made my business stand out by adding the unique colouring technique and inking. It’s my most asked technique on every flower.
7. What are your ideal clients and/or ideal projects?
Ones that pay...lol. But really the ones that love art and understand the time that it takes to make the flowers and know that my heart and soul are in each petal.
8. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
Time and pricing. It's always a struggle to get paid for the time it takes to make a single bloom and feel that your product is worth the value it truly is.
9. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
Pick a target and stay with it. Don't try to do everything, you will burn out and your product won't be how you want it to.
10. Do you have any tips that could be helpful to other Paper Florists?
Keep the passion for your craft, keep improving your skills until you feel you have mastered it. Don't feel bad if you need to give up on a flower and move on.
11. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the listeners?
I want to thank everyone that I have touched in some way or another. I am truly blessed to be a part of this amazing community.
Want to learn more about Laura and 2CLVR Designs? Follow her on social media:
WEBSITE | https://www.2clvrdesigns.ca.
INSTAGRAM | @2cvlr_designs
In this week’s Episode, Quynh and Jessie talk about Jessie’s book, Paper Flower Art: Create Beautifully Realistic Floral Arrangement, published by GMC Publications. A year after writing and shooting the book, Jessie shares the types of flower tutorials and arrangements in the book and how she hopes readers/crafters will use the book.
Paper Flower Art is now available for order and pre-order and it will be released on November 7, 2019, in the UK and January 7, 2020, in USA and Canada.
Jessie is giving away a copy of Paper Flower Art to one lucky winner! To qualify for the giveaway, leave a comment below this post (along with your full name and email address/contact information) to enter! The winner will be drawn on December 1, 2019. Read the full Terms & Conditions below.
Purchase the book here:
Learn more about the book and Jessie here:
Watch the “Paper Flower Art” book trailer:
Paper Flower Art Book Giveaway (November 2019) from The Paper Florists Collective
HOW TO ENTER:
You can enter the Giveaway by writing a comment in the Comment Box in the Paper Talk Post, “Over Coffee: Paper Flower Art”, at https://www.thepaperflorists.org/paper-talk/episode27, and by leaving your full name, email address and/or contact information in the same comment.
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:
The time-frame of the delivery of the Prize from The Paper Florists Collective to the Winner will be contingent on when The Paper Florists Collective receives copies of the Prize from the publisher, @gmcpublications;
The Paper Florists Collective is not responsible for delays in delivery of the Prize after it has been checked in for delivery to Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, or UPS; loss, damage or theft of the item(s) after the item(s) has/have been checked in for delivery to Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, or UPS; or shipment sent to an incorrect address provided to The Paper Florists Collective by the Winner;
The Paper Florists Collective reserves the absolute right to post delivery of the Prize using the most economical shipping option available with or without the ability to track the shipping as it deems appropriate.
The receipt by Winner of the Prize offered in this Giveaway is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state/provincial laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT THE PAPER FLORISTS COLLECTIVE’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
In this week’s Episode, we talk to Marlo Miyashiro, the owner and visionary behind the retail gallery, The Handmade Showroom. Located in downtown Seattle, The Handmade Showroom showcases handcrafted local goods of various kinds that are carefully curated by Marlo. As a former jewelry designer, Marlo now operates two brick-and-mortar stores as well as an online store that offer products at retail prices.
Her most recent store, Bezel & Kiln, is an extension of The Handmade Showroom and offers handcrafted upscale jewelry and home goods. In addition, Marlo also has a passion for mentoring emerging artists and has arts consulting business called Creative Arts Consulting. Her passion is quite apparent as she offers so many great tips about pricing and marketing throughout our discussion!
Listen to Marlo as she talks about the difference between wholesale and retail pricing, what to consider when pricing your labour, and her passion for business mentorship.
Let’s first get to know Marlo:
1. Who is Marlo Miyashiro?
I am a former jewelry artist, a current mentor and teacher, a serial entrepreneur, and a creative person who is passionate about supporting and promoting artists and their work.
2. What type of artistic pursuits are you involved in?
I am working on getting back to designing and creating jewelry. Since opening my stores, I haven’t had much time for my own creative pursuits, but I am working on making time to get back to designing and creating jewelry. I really miss making things!
3. Tell us about The Handmade Showroom.
The Handmade Showroom is a gift store inside Pacific Place Shopping Center in the heart of downtown Seattle’s shopping district which is also home to some well-known brands like Tiffany & Co, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade.
Our mission is to elevate handmade by showcasing the work of our more than 100 independent artists and educating our customers all about the aesthetic and intrinsic value of handmade.
4. How did the idea of The Handmade Showroom come about? How has that project/business evolved?
I had been the organizer of the local Seattle Etsy team originally known as Etsy RAIN and later, Seattle Handmade, for about 10 years when the then-marketing director of Pacific Place approached us via our Meetup group in the spring of 2015 with the possibility of opening a local artist pop-up at the mall.
The most interesting thing about the timing of their inquiry was that I had been looking for a retail space to launch The Handmade Showroom for an entire previous year and had just made the decision to stop my search when the email showed up.
With the help of our team’s co-organizer, Kayce Quevedo, we negotiated our way into an in-line storefront and opened The Handmade Showroom with 1200 sq. ft. and 35 artists as a weekend pop-up concept in the summer of 2015.
That winter, we took the plunge and began opening every day as a full-time storefront, and over the next 2 years, we grew to use the full 2400 sq. ft. and expanded our artist list to work with more than 100 artists from all over the Pacific Northwest.
In the summer of 2018, we had an opportunity to move to the prestigious 1st floor in a 3700 sq. ft. space right next to Kate Spade. We jumped at the chance and had a fantastic holiday that year!
Then, in the middle of the holiday season, renovations at Pacific Place were ramping up and one of the larger chain retailers needed a space to occupy, so we were informed in December 2018 that we needed to move yet again – this time into a much smaller 1000 sq. ft. storefront.
Between the choice of closing and moving, we chose to move, culling our product mix down so we could continue to work with as many artists as possible while bringing on some new artists outside of the Pacific NW to keep our offerings fresh in the eyes of our customers.
We’ve been in our new space since Valentine’s Day 2019 and have plans to move once more to a larger space sometime in 2020.
5. How would someone interested in being in The Handmade Showroom apply?
We have an artist application on our website at https://thehandmadeshowroom.com/pages/apply-to-become-a-handmade-artist that we encourage everyone to read through and then submit an application if their work fits the criteria outlined there.
We are currently full in most categories, so we tend to keep all of the applications on file for future consideration. As a result, artists may not hear from us for a while so re-applying, when new items and designs are added, is encouraged.
6. Tell us about your recently-opened second store. What made you decide to open up another store?
After our move to the 2nd floor, we continued to actively look for a larger storefront with the hopes of having more square footage by holiday. When we found out that the space next door to The Handmade Showroom was becoming available, we considered our options and quickly jumped at the chance to expand our jewelry and housewares categories toward a new gallery-style concept!
Bezel & Kiln opened in September 2019 and features an upscale collection of artisan-made jewelry, meaningful accessories, and fine housewares from artists from all over the world. Many of the collections we have chosen have never been seen in the Seattle area, making our collection unparalleled in the Pacific Northwest!
7. You also provide business consulting services. Tell us about that.
One of the benefits of working in the retail/wholesale business fields for almost 30 years is the wealth of knowledge gained from a lifetime of trial and error. I love helping emerging artists achieve their goals from the inside out by offering my consulting services via Creative Arts Consulting.
8. You wear so many hats. How do you manage all of your different projects and stores?
With a LOT of help! With the full support of my wonderful partner in life and business, we have an incredible team of managers and helpers who are all super-dedicated to our mission so every day is a joy to come to work. I’ll be the first to admit that not all things get done, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is to let go of the idea of perceived perfection and allow things to come together in due time.
9. What are some of the challenges you've faced as a female entrepreneur?
Like many of my colleagues, I’ve had my share of feeling like I’m not being listened to when dealing with business negotiations. There were a few times when the resistance I was getting was so limiting that I had to allow my partner to take over for things to move forward. I had bigger plans to attend to anyway, so I stepped aside and got all the other things done in the meantime. Everything turned out great in the end, so making that choice to let go of that struggle was a good one.
10. What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs in the art field?
Be careful who you accept advice and criticism from. Know who your end customer is – most of the time, it’s your family, your friends, or even yourself. Pay attention to your inner instincts when it comes to making decisions. If you’re not quite in touch with that part of yourself, work on making that connection through meditation, physical activity, and/or therapy. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let anyone stand in the way of what you know to be true and right for you and your business!
11. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my story! If anyone is interested in a free hour phone consultation, please get in touch with me at [email protected] and mention this podcast. I’ll send over my quick questionnaire and then we’ll set up a day and time to chat. I look forward to meeting some of you!
Learn more about Marlo Miyashiro by following her on social media:
WEBSITES:
INSTAGRAM:
Join Quynh and Jessie as they chat about the tools in their toolboxes such as their favourite cutting tools, glue, and paper shaping tools. The bottom line - use what you have and what works for you. Take a listen as they share their inside tricks and tip, including their “Golden tool”.
Wondering where to get the items mentioned by Quynh and Jessie?
Here are some of the items they mention in this Episode (**As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com and the links below):
Today, we talk to one of our dearest friends, Kelly Lemon of Kelly Lemon Photography! Based in Seattle, Kelly travels all over the world as a wedding and lifestyle photographer to document her client’s special life moments. Her passion for people defines her art and her life.
In her words: "I am the photographer for the adventurous couple that values real connection."
As a one-armed photographer, she has faced many challenges in her life. Her perseverance and her faith have helped her push through these hardships with dignity. She was recently on King 5 a local Seattle network sharing her story - and what an inspiring one it is.
We will let her share this with you in her own words:
1. Who is Kelly Lemon?
I’m a talkative extrovert, a hugger, inspirational speaker, wife, dog-mom, Jesus lover, chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, and a Seattle-based wedding + lifestyle photographer. I am also a mom to be! We have a baby girl on the way via surrogacy and we are due this January! I feel at home when I’m near mountains and I’m an enneagram 2w3. Simply put - I love people and am excited about the challenge of capturing someone’s story - either through a wedding/elopement or my women empowerment photography.
2. How did you get started in photography?
It’s actually a great story! I loved photography from a young age but was in a serious car accident when I was 12 that paralyzed my right arm. So after adjusting to life with one arm and learning to use my left arm - I approached a high school film photography teacher and asked if I could join their class and they told me that photography was a “two-armed” art and that I wouldn’t be able to do it, so I should try something else.
So I took that as a challenge and joined another class the following year and learned to roll film with my feet! Just after that experience I studied abroad in Ecuador at the age of 16 and learned that I was much more drawn to photographing the people I was meeting more than the landmarks of the cities I was visiting.
When I went to college I thought I would just do photography as a hobby or maybe a side job, but joined the college newspaper photography team. I was sent to a photojournalism conference at the age of 18 and was way out of my league. But in between sessions, this man came over and saw my photos on my laptop over my shoulder and started flipping through them.
I was so embarrassed because they weren’t edited or sorted but we started talking about photography and at the end of the conversation he said something that changed my life. He asked, “So let me get this straight…you spend all of your free time doing photography, you spend your money on equipment, you are only 18 and these are your photos…remind me why you don’t think this should be your career?” That really stuck with me.
I went to the next session at the conference and he walked out on stage and was introduced as the photo editor of the New York Times! I was inspired that he saw something in me, so I switched my degree to fine art photography, studied for 4 years, and started my company the year I graduated in 2010, and here we are almost 10 years later!
3. Tell us about your photography business, Kelly Lemon Photography.
I am primarily a wedding and elopement photographer and I have a heart for the community - like real, let's hang out and do life - kind of community and that is the heart behind my business.
The KLP couples are laid back, adventurous, they are people who value people more than things, they believe in marriage, don’t mind getting their dress dirty, and like to push the limits! I love being out in nature so when I can be in the beautiful outdoors and celebrate a couples’ love story - my heart is happy!
I also photograph women empowerment and I have recently started to branch out into lifestyle shoots and photography for business owners and that has been a fun project - to tell the story of someone’s business. For me, it comes down to storytelling and that's what excites me!
4. How would you define your style? How did you find your artistic style? How has your style evolved to what it is today?
I would say my style is warm, emotional, and natural. I strive to create photos that make you feel something.
When it comes to tones and editing - I think your artistic style is often a reflection of you. I think it’s important to not just look at the trends because they come and go but trust your gut and how you see the world and explore that. My style began to evolve as I really took the time and examined what I was drawn to artistically - not just with photography, but with other types of art.
If you are trying to figure out your brand style for your business and you aren’t sure where to start - look at your closet. What colors are you drawn to? What type of interior design inspires you? When I was in the process of rebranding my business 5 years ago - my designer encouraged me to really dig into the things that I love - across all art mediums.
I created a Pinterest board of photos that I was drawn to and started seeing a theme. My closet, brand colors, and photos all have a similar vibe of earth tones and natural textures and that is naturally what I began to create with my photo style once I learned to ignore the trends around me and focus on the art I want to create.
5. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your career as a photographer and as an entrepreneur?
Self-care. I think like an entrepreneur - for most businesses you are a one-person show - so everything falls on you - and that can be really exhausting. I have found it hard to create boundaries around work life and make time for your family and friends.
So blocking off weekends to be work-free, consider outsourcing the projects that don’t require you directly, and scheduling in time for you. It’s a continual struggle but so important for the long term.
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other photographers?
I think the community I have built with my clients and the overall client experience is something really unique. I host events 3x a year - where past and present clients are loved and given a pretty special experience that goes beyond the wedding day. My Sailing Soiree event is something really special and you can see a peek at it in my recent promo video! See it here: https://legacy.mediazilla.com/cphk1s1R1
7. You are incredibly passionate about your Empowerment Photography project. Tell us about it.
I would love to! I am really passionate about empowering women to love the skin they are in! We live in a culture - where the beauty standard is so narrow and it causes women to think they aren’t skinny enough, or curvy enough, or fill in the blank and I have loved creating a space to break those beauty standards and celebrate women of all shape, size, and color!
I also love empowering women with physical differences - because when I was growing up I had a lot of surgery scars and people told me they were disgusting and I needed to cover them up and that really impacted how I saw my body. So I love encouraging women to see their scars or physical difference as symbols of what they have overcome.
It’s a part of them that we don’t have to cover or hide but it also doesn’t define them. We have had women who have battled cancer, organ transplants, amputations/limb loss, vitiligo, Cerebral Palsy and it’s been such an honor to share their stories. But all women are invited to our Women Empowerment Events - where we photograph 5-7 women and have their sessions back to back and it's a really special time of community!
8. Give us one tip that would improve our images/photos of our paper flowers.
Learning about natural light! If you can learn how to use natural light to show off the depth in your flowers - that will be the ticket!
9. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
Just want to encourage you as Paper Florists - if you are starting your business - remember to serve and love people well. It sounds simple but it’s easy to forget when there are so many other things you are trying to learn. And have fun with it! Try crazy ideas! Meet other people in the industry and create just to create for fun!
Learn more about Kelly Lemon by following her on social media:
WEBSITES:
INSTAGRAM:
As paper florists, we ultimately found our artistic medium in paper. Jacqueline Butler of Petalsweet Cakes found her perfect medium in gum paste. Based in San Diego, California, but internationally renowned, Jacqueline specializes in creating and teaching sugar flower art. She teaches around the globe and is the author of “Modern Sugar Flowers Vol 1” (which Jessie owns and believes every paper florist should have on their shelf).
In it, she generously shares her experience, tips, and tricks. Her style is forever tasteful and stylized; her techniques innovative and applicable across disciplines (like our’s!). In addition to being a generous teacher of sugar artistry, she is also incredibly personable and humble.
Now, Jacqueline is publishing her second book, “Modern Sugar Flowers Vol 2”, available for preorder on Amazon UK, Amazon US, and Amazon CA. It will be released on November 1st in the UK and November 19th in North America. We are so excited to get our hands on it!
Listen to Jacqueline as she talks about how she go started making cakes and sugar art, how she found her artistic style in the gum paste medium, and her new book, “Modern Sugar Flowers Vol 2.”
First, let’s get to know Jacqueline:
1. Who is Jacqueline Butler?
Sugar flower artist, former wedding cake designer, baker, author, dog lover, red wine and burrito lover (not together!), trail runner, world traveler, and wife to my wonderful husband Keith!
2. How did you get started in sugar art?
I had a great dollhouse when I was young and used to buy miniature kits and make all the furniture and accessories for it. I also modeled tiny plates of food and desserts with polymer clay for the dolls’ kitchen and dining room tables. I think this is where I learned to love using my hands and making little things.
As an adult when I was baking and making cakes as a hobby, I found a small book that featured simple sugar flowers, and I was immediately drawn to the art form! As I learned more about sugarcraft, I was fortunate to take classes with a few great artists I admired (Colette Peters, Scott Woolley, Nicholas Lodge, and Ron Ben Israel) and I learned a strong foundation in sugar flower making techniques.
This gave me the confidence to try making sugar flowers on my own, and over time these flowers became the signature style for my business, Petalsweet Cakes.
3. Tell us about Petalsweet Cakes.
Officially founded in 2005, I created my wedding cake business after being a longtime hobby baker outside my day job at a national non-profit organization. I finally decided to make the leap to building a business and knew I wanted to focus on wedding cakes with sugar flowers.
I created cakes full-time for about 6 years, servicing San Diego and a bit in the Bay Area where I’m originally from. Around that time, I began getting a lot of inquiries from colleagues in the industry who wanted to buy my sugar flowers or learn how to make them. I started teaching a few classes and sharing the results on Flickr and Facebook (remember this was before Instagram!).
Because of social media, I had a lot of interest from lovely folks all over the world and started saying yes to invitations to teach overseas. I was enjoying the teaching so much I cut back on making cakes, and really the rest is history! I rarely make any cakes these days, spending almost all my time developing content and focusing on instruction.
4. How would you define your style? How did you find your artistic style? How has your style evolved to what it is today?
When I started my business, I was making stylized sugar flowers in soft pastels. My “formula” was to mix them with green and white for a fresh, modern look and feel. Everything was light and soft. The flowers also came together quickly because they didn’t need much work to finish before going on a cake.
I interpreted flowers in my own way, getting rid of parts I didn’t find pretty or useful, or that took too long to create. I considered sugar flowers a “confection” since they were going to be placed on a cake, so my style was not botanically correct. Much of my style was born from functionality. I wanted to create (and teach) sugar flowers that were achievable and profitable for someone who was running a business, including me!
There are some incredible sugar flower artists out there who make truly jaw-dropping sugar flowers. I am blown away by their talent. Not everyone can replicate that type of work, nor can they make money doing it. So, it’s always been important to me to have a balance between pretty and cost-effective, and I think my students have appreciated that.
Today, with the constant exposure to IG and other social media, I can’t help but be inspired and influenced by so many amazing real flower florists AND paper flower artists such as yourselves (Quynh and Jessie). The trends in cake design have been shifting towards more realism in sugar floristry and towards fine art mediums and textures for cake finishes.
The result is the cake industry has been beautifully elevated, which makes me so happy, but that can also mean much more time and work for makers to meet those levels of artistry. So, it’s both exciting and stressful at the same time. I’ve been expanding my color palette to include deeper and brighter colors, and I’ve been creating a lot of new flowers or re-tooling older flowers to include more details.
All while still trying to balance the time involved in making them. I also started using darker backgrounds for some of my photography, which initially made me nervous. In my head, I thought I had to stay with soft pastels on a light and bright background to fit my brand.
I thought anything else would be rejected by my students and followers. But I couldn’t have been more wrong! I’ve felt incredibly encouraged by so many lovely messages and comments about the changes, and I’m feeling more open to trying new things than at any other time before in my sugarcraft career.
5. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during your career?
Being a creative person running a business (even with a lot of leadership experience from my previous career) has been very challenging. I don’t have a lot of natural business acumen and it’s hard for me to see the big picture. My strength is in the details.
I’ve struggled with all aspects of my business, from finance and growth to marketing and now scaling. I’m grateful to get great help from my brilliant husband and a few wonderful mentors, but I’m still very much a work in progress. I spend a lot of time learning things that have nothing to do with sugar flowers, and I’m only recently learning to welcome it instead of fighting it!
I also really struggled when I first began teaching internationally. I didn’t know anyone doing the same, so I had to figure it all out myself. I was thrilled for the opportunities to teach in Australia, Europe, and Asia, but there were so many other things to figure out beyond the actual time spent teaching the class.
Preparation and organization at home, the exhaustion of travel, schlepping tools and equipment, cultural differences, and not having access to similar supplies were all part of the adventure. And while difficult at the time, they did hone my problem-solving skills quickly and forced me to become better at asking for exactly what I needed and standing firm in those expectations.
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other sugar artists?
My brand is well established within the industry, but a lot of that is simply some luck mixed with good timing. I created Petalsweet at a time when there weren’t many known sugar flower artists in the world, and access to them or information about learning sugar flowers was very limited. It was a great time to build a brand.
Also, my style is very clean and achievable, so I think a lot of artists starting out find my work a good starting point for them. I’m one of the more “seasoned” sugar artists now, and a lot of the younger artists today kindly point to me as their initial inspiration when they started their businesses. It’s very kind, and the OG status isn’t lost on me, ha ha!
I do my best to continue to work on the content that reflects what I think is pretty and what I think students will enjoy making for their cakes and clients. I also pride myself on being kind and helpful to anyone who is looking for information or wants to learn more about sugarcraft, and I think that goes a long way. I was fortunate to have a few amazing artists help me, in the same way, years ago – it’s a great honor and pleasure to pay it forward.
7. What advice would you give to an artist who is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
Don’t try to be everything to everyone and pay attention to the art you enjoy creating most. When you are starting out, many times you must take on a wide range of orders to pay the bills, but that doesn’t mean you have to do those things forever.
One of my favorite exercises with my students is to give them a blank 4 tier wedding cake and tell them to decorate it however they wish. And to pay attention to the decorations they choose. It can tell them a lot about a direction they might want to pursue, as well as the types of cakes they DON’T want to make.
If someone wanted to give up, I’d suggest stepping away for a break, and then trying a completely different art form. I always enjoy my work more when I’ve exercised or spent an extended amount of time outdoors. A break could mean a vacation, or a hiatus, or both. Everyone needs something different to stay motivated. Trying a different art form also helps your brain problem solve in new ways. And getting your hands on different textiles can spark new creative joy.
I’d also ask them if the reason they wanted to give up was founded in comparing themselves to someone else. I’m guilty of doing it and it always makes me feel poorly about myself and my work. It’s not easy to get out of that headspace, so the more you can focus on your own path the better.
Easier said than done these days when we are surrounded by beautiful photos of outstanding work. It’s hard – you must focus on what is in front of you and make that meaningful. And the more you can enjoy the process of creating over results, the better.
8. Tell us about your books, Modern Sugar Flowers and MSF Volume 2.
Both books are sugar flower how-to instructional manuals with added inspirational photos and cake projects so readers can learn how to use their flowers once they have made them. Filled with tips and techniques that have worked well for me all throughout my business.
Writing a book was a longtime dream of mine, and I was thrilled for the opportunity to share my processes for making and finishing flowers with the folks at David & Charles. And to do it twice! Turns out my brain is good at breaking things down into achievable steps, so the technical writing came easier than I expected. The cake projects and the creative design for all the flower chapters were quite challenging for me, but I loved the process of styling the photos.
The books are a true set. We carried over the fonts and layouts to the second book so they can sit side by side on the shelf. The flowers and cake projects in Volume 2 are different from the first book but are all broken down the same way. The only overlap from book 1 to book 2 is the hydrangea and filler flowers which are staples we use in many cake designs. We wanted to include them so the second book could stand on its own, and readers could learn my arranging skills without having to start with the first book.
It’s been an incredible amount of work over several years now, and a lot of highs and lows. But I love hearing from students who have used the first book and seeing them get excited about making sugar flowers has been amazing. I hope the second book is well received and that everyone enjoys making the new flowers!
9. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Just so grateful to both of you for inviting me to talk with you on your podcast, and to share the news about my new book, thank you so much! We didn’t have a chance to chat about the tools and processes that might be shared across our two mediums, so I’d love to come back another time to talk about it! Thank you again!
Jacqueline’s books are now available for purchase worldwide!
Modern Sugar Flowers Vol 1
Modern Sugar Flowers Vol 2
Quynh first got to know Caroline Tran of Caroline Tran Photography when the photographer shot her sister’s wedding a few years back. Fast forward to today and Caroline and Quynh are frequent collaborators on many projects together across the United States from workshops to photography sessions.
She, along with Kelly Lemon, was one of the photography instructors at The Paper Florists Collective Masterclass in Seattle back in April 2019. Caroline first got her feet wet in photography when pursuing a creative side hustle. Eventually, she discovered that her ultimate love was photography. Known for her airy and bright style and her ability to create beautiful images of intimacy, Caroline is based in Los Angeles, California.
Listen to Caroline as she describes how her creative side hustle turned into a business, how she stays inspired, and her decision to offer online education.
First, let’s get to know Caroline:
1. Who is Caroline Tran?
I am a Los Angeles-based photographer who is constantly working on the art of balancing running a photography business and being a mom to two young boys. I started in weddings and portraits, and have since expanded into content creation, branding, and commercial photography. I have also started to offer online education as well to help creatives run a successful business.
2. How did you get started in photography?
I always knew I wanted to own a creative business. While doing market research for one of my businesses (I was designing and sewing doll clothes), I realized that brands with better photography were able to charge up to 100 times more! While learning how to better photograph my designs, I found my love for photography. I started photographing my co-worker’s children and my friends after work for fun, as a hobby and that’s how I started my portfolio.
3. Tell us about your photography business, Caroline Tran Photography.
What I love most about what I do is that I become my client’s lifelong photographer. I photograph them from engagement to wedding to babies, and for the past few years, I have also started to do more commercial work, including content creation for brands, and branding/lifestyle shots for people’s personal brands as well. I love telling stories so these are all so much fun for me.
4. How would you define your style? How did you find your artistic style? How has your style evolved to what it is today?
My photos tell stories. They’re romantic, emotional, and freezes a person’s legacy. I found my voice when I stopped comparing myself to others… when I stopped doing what I THOUGHT I was supposed to do (based on what everyone else was doing) and allowed myself to do what I FELT. I eventually attracted more people who connected with what I did, which further strengthen my voice.
5. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your career as a photographer and as an entrepreneur?
Growing pains… everything works until it doesn’t. For example, if I up my game in marketing and get more leads, I might not be able to keep up with the increased volume and become susceptible to unhappy clients. So many growing pains, but it’s a good problem to have.
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other photographers?
By not looking at what others are doing and just focusing on my own art.
7. Give us one tip that would improve our images/photos of our paper flowers.
LIGHT! LIGHT! LIGHT! Bad light is bad light! You can’t fix bad light later. Use good light to take the photo and you’ll be more than halfway there.
You can read more tips on lighting on my website: https://carolinetran.net/photography-tips-for-perfect-indoor-lighting/
8. Tell us about how you got into teaching photography.
Backtrack a few years, the inspiration for where I came up with education. I used to be a high school teacher, so that’s where my educational background is from. I love mentoring, inspiring, and helping people in general. I left teaching to pursue photography. When I started photography, I used to have small cohorts where we would meet up at industry events over the years.
One thing that occurred to me was year after year, I would need to form new groups because many of my colleagues were no longer in the business anymore. I started teaching photography and education to help others to succeed.
Learn more about Caroline Tran by following her on social media:
WEBSITES: Caroline Tran Photography Caroline Tran Education
INSTAGRAM: @carolinetran
PINTEREST: Caroline Tran
Join us this week as Quynh and Jessie have a frank discussion about how they preserve their paper flowers to minimize the effect of fading and damage.
This is a common topic among paper florists and one that is much talked about on The Paper Florist Facebook group.
Join us this week as Quynh and Jessie chat about Quynh’s recent appearance on a local television segment. With some help from her friends (Kate of @cobralilyshop, Kelly Lemon of Kelly Lemon Photography, and Angela Evans of @makeupartist.angela).
Quynh was able to pull off a thrilling 10-minute segment on King 5’s New Day daily talk show, while also plugging the paper flower community.
Watch the TV segment here!
Eileen Lim of Miss Petal and Bloom has been on the paper flower scene for more than 5 years and she has truly made a stamp in our paper flower community. Her Instagram feed is filled to the brim with bright and colourful blooms and high-end collaborations with designers (like Ferragamo, Coach, and Olivia Burton) and stores (like Mamonde and Keds).
It’s no surprise that her recognizable style is also a true reflection of her bubbly and friendly persona. She works out of her home studio in Singapore and regularly teaches workshops. Now, she’s on Teachable as well, offering paper flower online courses. We always look forward to viewing her Monday Bloom Crush on her Instagram Stories where she shares posts of other artists that inspire her! We love paper florists who support each other!
Listen to her talk to us about the paper flower community in Singapore, how she found her brand and style, and her upcoming collaboration with The Body Shop.
First, let’s get to know Eileen:
1. Who is Eileen Lim?
Hi, I’m Eileen and I’m just a girl who loves crafting and making pretty things in my home country - sunny little Singapore.
2. How did you get started making paper flowers?
The quick answer - Instagram!
I’ve always loved crafting and while exploring flowers on Instagram, I somehow chanced upon the amazing crepe paper blooms by Margie Keates. Needless to say, I fell in love instantly. I did my research, sourced for Italian crepe, and started experimenting on my own as a side hobby.
At that point in my life, I was working in the education team at a local museum. It was great working with students and being in that art scene, but it wasn’t as fulfilling as I would have liked it to be - my fingers were still itching to craft and create. So, I took that leap of faith and left my job to start Miss Petal & Bloom.
I have to add, Margie was a big reason why I decided to take that leap of faith, I had reached out to her asking if she could spare any advice, and she replied with so many helpful tips and such kind words that her generosity blew me away. I don’t think I would have started my paper flower journey without her and I really think she’s such an inspiration and role model!
3. Tell us about your business, Miss Petal & Bloom.
MP&B is really simply about making pretty paper flowers and spreading the joy of crafting. I make every bloom to order, so usually I’ll have customers reach out with their ideas and requests and I’ll do my best to create something beautiful and lasting for them. I also enjoy teaching - it is so fulfilling to witness someone learning a new skill and unlock that sense of pride within themselves.
4. How would you define the style of your flowers? How did you find your style?
I like to see my flowers as vibrant, happy, and whimsical. My style is a reflection of my personality and aesthetic preferences - I’m just naturally drawn to bright colours and cute fluffy things. I’m not so keen on achieving botanical accuracy, I simply want my blooms to be pretty, haha. It definitely took a lot of time and experiments to solidify my style though.
5. How did you find your brand? How has your brand and style evolved to what it is today?
Honestly, when I first started out, I had no experience building a business so I did not really think too much about branding. I just knew I wanted to stay true to who I am and I wanted my flowers to reflect that. My brand name “Miss Petal & Bloom” was a random thought I had and it stuck because I felt like it sounded whimsical and cute and had a nice ring to it. Of course, after 3+ years I’m more aware of the importance of branding and I do try to be consistent in my artistic style and how I present my flowers - I always want my blooms to have a cheerful and vibrant feel to them.
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other paper florists?
Oh, this is such a crucial question and I think one of the more important questions for any new paper florist starting out. For me, this links back to my style - I really want my blooms to look unique and reflect my personality. I feel that's one of the biggest compliments you can get as an artist when someone instantly recognizes your bloom. Hence, I was careful to avoid watching too many tutorials and reading too many paper floristry books (I’ve bought so many books though because I’m such a big fan of those artists! I, however, avoid reading them because I fear I might subconsciously copy someone else’s stylistic choices).
I think that is very important to me - having a unique artistic voice. And I do hope that makes me stand out from other paper florists? I’m not sure how successful I am, haha, but I am happy to get occasional positive feedback from the online community!
7. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business and/or art?
Oh, I think the biggest challenge is dealing with my own insecurities - my business is my biggest pride and joy (it’s like my baby) but also my biggest insecurity at the same time. In Singapore, crafting is not exactly a career choice that is highly regarded by the general public - in fact, I would say a great deal of Singaporeans still look down on freelance artists/ crafters, there’s that misconception that freelancers have lots of “free time” when in fact, we might be working as hard, if not harder, than most people with regular 9-5 jobs.
Honestly, I think the people in my country are so accustomed to measuring success by the size of your pay-check, hence I wasn’t taken very seriously when I first launched my business. To this day, I struggle sometimes with being steadfast in knowing my own value and worth as a small craft business owner, and such insecurities and public perception inevitably trickle down to things like how I price my items, how I price my time, etc.
I’m actually really glad I got to spend 4 years in the U.S. when I was in university - that really opened my eyes to how amazing the crafting culture was there and how supportive and non-judgemental the general public was towards crafters and artists. It truly inspired me and showed me that it was possible to be a full-time crafter and creative.
Now that I’m more established than I was when I first started, I do feel more confident and comfortable with my career choice. I’ve accepted that not everyone will accept, understand, or support my business, and at the end of the day, I don’t need everyone’s validation, and it’s up to me to define what success means to me.
8. What advice would you give to a paper florist who is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
Oh, there is so much advice I could share, but I think one big thing I’ve learned is that you have to be true to yourself. If you’re just starting out, don’t rush into it, give yourself time to develop your artistic voice, which will help you stand out from the rest! Be patient, you’re not going to grow your
following overnight, you’re not going to get all the orders overnight - it takes time. Have patience and faith in your skills and your creative voice.
If you’re feeling tired, jaded, and about to give up, give yourself a break! Try a different craft, do something outside the box, pick up a new skill in a different medium - this always helps to remind me that there is such great joy in making art - I don’t think I will ever tire of that sense of fulfillment and achievement that comes from creating something truly and uniquely yours. Even if you’re frustrated with the business end, just doing something new might be refreshing and reinvigorating, and remind you of the true purpose of your craft business.
9. Do you have any tips that could be helpful to other Paper Florists?
DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. Haha. This was something Margie shared with me in her first email to me, and I’ve kept it close to my heart all these years. You shouldn’t compare your first step to someone’s 100th step, everyone is on a different path, it’s not a race!
10. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the listeners?
I can be a pretty shy person and I’m easily intimidated when I meet people face to face! Haha which means I can be pretty awkward, especially if it's a big group setting, and I’m usually not the one who takes initiative to meet people. So if you’d like to chat with me or fan-girl with me over other amazing paper florists (like Jessie and Quynh and Priscilla), or if you’re ever visiting Singapore, please don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello! I promise I’m not as shy or awkward once we get to know each other.
Want to learn more about Eileen? Follow her on her Instagram @misspetalandbloom and check out her website/classes at https://www.misspetalandbloom.com.
This week, we talk to Heather Sauer, the owner, and operator of The Paper Place located in downtown Toronto, Canada. Being one of the few brick-and-mortar paper stores in Canada, Heather’s store carries a vast array of paper products, from crepe paper to Japanese washi paper, Rifle paper goods and kits, to birthday cards and origami products.
Everything you see in the store is a feast for the eyes! In fact, Jessie’s paper flower journey started here four years ago when she bought her first fine crepe papers, and soon thereafter, she began teaching crepe paper flower workshops at the store.
The Paper Place generously sponsored our German double-sided crepe paper for our 2-Day Paper Flower Workshop in Toronto in September.
Listen to Heather as we talk to her about how she got started selling paper, her entrepreneurial journey, and the challenges of operating a brick-and-mortar paper store.
Let’s first learn about Heather:
1. Who is Heather Sauer?
I am an artist, the mother of two incredible girls, and an entrepreneur with two retail shops on Queen St. West in Toronto, The Paper Place, and Curiosa.
2. Tell us a little bit about your educational and entrepreneurial background. How did you become the owner of The Paper Place?
I went to school for Archaeology & Museum Management. When I moved to Toronto I started working at The Japanese Paper Place and eventually, with my former business partner, purchased the business back in 2005. The Japanese Paper Place continued on in a wholesale capacity after that so we changed the name of the shop to The Paper Place. My business partner left in 2009 and I have run it ever since.
3. Tell us about your business, The Paper Place. What do you sell, where are you located, how long you've been in business, etc.
We are located in the art & design district of Queen St. West and have been operating as The Paper Place since 2005. We have a vast and eclectic product offering but specialize in paper, with over 2000 available at the shop. Beyond paper, we also carry a variety of art & craft supplies, greeting cards and stationery, party supplies, gifts and journals and so much more.
4. When did you start selling crepe paper? How did this come about?
We started carrying crepe paper in the shop back in 2013. A number of customers had been requesting it for several years as it was almost impossible to come by here in Canada. I had been trying to order it directly from Germany for quite some time, even going so far as to have a friend compose fax for me in German, but I wasn’t able to make it happen. Fortunately, in 2013, I met a supplier of German craft supplies who was just testing the waters bringing in crepe paper so I was thrilled to finally have access to bring it to the shop for our customers.
5. How has the paper business changed over the years?
We have definitely seen trends changing rapidly over the last few years in terms of what kinds of products our customers are looking for and also what they are using our papers to make. For instance, in our early days, the bulk of our business was people purchasing paper and envelopes to make wedding invitations, now that makes up a very small percentage of our business. Because of these changes, we are constantly adapting to what it is our customers are looking for now and trying to make sure that our product offering reflects what is new and exciting in the paper/stationery world.
6. What are some of the challenges you've faced in your business?
For us brick-and-mortar shops, there is a lot more competition from online stores that don’t have the overhead that retail storefronts do and/or larger companies who are able to negotiate discounts with suppliers and offer products at a lower price than we can. It is a huge challenge for us as we try to balance staying competitive with our pricing with making enough money to keep our doors open.
7. Who are your ideal clients?
Because of our extremely varied product offering, we don’t have a specific ideal client. Our first customer of the day may be looking for a greeting card, the next may be a conservator, then someone looking to make 100 paper flowers for their wedding, etc… It definitely makes our day interesting and inspiring because we get to work with so many different customers on such an amazing variety of projects.
8. What type of workshops does The Paper Place offer?
Our workshop offering is constantly changing as we try to anticipate what projects may interest our customers. Some of our most popular past ones include paper flowers, calligraphy, bookbinding, and jewelry making!
Learn more about Heather and The Paper Place by following on social media:
WEBSITES: The Paper Place
INSTAGRAM: @thepaperplace
We have all seen the incredibly helpful rose colour studies on the Flirty Fleurs blog that are scattered all over the web. In fact, if you have yet to check out the blog, you should do so immediately! The blog is written by no other than the internationally renowned florist, Alicia Schwede. It includes resources and workshop information for florists but is equally relevant to paper florists.
Back to Alicia - she’s has been in the florist industry for more than 16 years and runs her floral studio, Bella Fiori, out of Seattle, Washington. She offers floristry services for weddings and events and instructs floral workshops all over the world. Next spring, she’ll be in Tuscany for a week-long floral retreat, and in October (October 22, 23, & 24, 2019), with our very own Quynh in California for a Wedding Intensive Workshop.
Listen to Alicia as we grill her about how paper florists can work with florists successfully to better suit and meet our paper flower clients’ needs. In the meantime…
Let’s first learn about Alicia:
1. Who is Alicia Schwede?
Oh gosh, this is a tough question! Well, I am a person who truly cares about the floral industry. I want people to want flowers – flowers in all forms. Flowers bring happiness and calmness to people, and I think we could all use more of that in our lives! I want to share my passion with others, spread happiness, and encourage others to follow their dreams.
2. How did you get started in floristry and in the floristry business?
I did not start off ever thinking I’d be a florist. After college, I took a position with a software development company in San Francisco. I found sitting in front of the computer for 8-12 hours a day to be rather daunting and depressing – so to keep my hands and the creative side of my brain happy I took all kinds of artistic classes in the evenings and weekends. One day I signed up for a 6-week floral design class at the local community college. I was hooked by the third class, and the rest as they say … is history.
3. Tell us about Flirty Fleurs.
My wedding business name is Bella Fiori which launched in March 2003. I had been blogging for my business and found myself always wanting to talk more about the floral industry so in May 2010 I decided to launch Flirty Fleurs – where I could talk flowers all the time! At that time social media wasn’t so strong and having a blog was a great source of information and a way to share a passion and interest. Over the years it has evolved in many ways and now has grown to 9 years of topics saved in one place!
4. How did you find your branding style? How has your brand and style evolved to what it is today?
In some ways, I would say I’ve moved with the times and with how the look of weddings has evolved. Yet, the logo I use for Bella Fiori was created for me by one of my brides over 10 years ago! I like that it is classic. Flirty Fleurs has changed more – since it is my creative outlet I can follow my whims and give it tune-ups as I wish. At the base for both – I like feminine looks, cursive text, lots of pinks, greens, and whites. Bright and airy.
5. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your florist career?
It definitely hasn’t all been a walk in the park. I think often when people are first getting started they think it’ll be a walk in the rose garden, pun intended – ha! Unfortunately, it isn’t always that easy. First is always putting myself out there to find new clients. That is one thing about weddings, the brides (are most likely) one-time customers.
Sure their sisters or friends might come along, but for the most part, it is a one-time business transaction. So as a business owner I have been marketing and putting myself out there for 20 years now. It’s a lot of committed work to keep marketing out there, keep fresh, keep the drive.
As a fresh florist, there is always the challenge of sourcing fresh flowers week after week. Flowers are obviously very dependent on weather – one hail storm and an entire farmer's crop can be destroyed, and the florist won’t be getting those perfect dahlias that week! Gosh, one time I had ordered in flowers to come in from the Dutch Auction, well there was a volcano issue in Iceland which meant no planes flying between North America and Europe – that means no flowers!
6. How have you made yourself stand out in the crowd of other Florists?
There is a saying in the wedding industry – You are only as good as your last event.
Someone said that to me early on and I quickly realized that I could have a phenomenal wedding, but it would quickly be forgotten so I’d have to find ways to keep what I was doing out there and being viewed. I jumped onto all things related to websites, blogs, social media early on and have kept at it all for years. It probably helps that at that post-college job I had was cutting edge on websites back in the day and I learned so much while working there.
7. How would you define your style? How did you find your style?
I grew up in Northern California, had my business Bella Fiori in Colorado for 10 years, and now call Washington home. So I have had a good amount of moves in my life over the past 20 years. Yet, I find the style that appeals to me the most is the one that is found in the wine country of California – it’s full of puffy flowers like garden roses, peonies, dahlias, and branches of fruit. Give me the wine grapes, the fruit on branches, the vines. That’s still my favorite! I call it wine country style and I always seem to come back to that style when I design as I wish.
8. What advice would you give to a florist who is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
Tenacity is everything – for those who are just starting out and those who are about to give up. Tenacity to keep going even if one client gives you a rough time, or if you didn’t get one of the jobs you bided on. Take a deep breath, re-set, keep your head high. You know what you want to do and follow your dreams!
And if you’ve been doing this awhile and feeling drained – step back, take some time off and do what you need to do to get your energy back. For me, I love to travel and a trip to Europe is always good for my soul!
9. Do you have any floristry related tips that could be helpful to Paper Florists?
Take lots of pictures. The majority of flowers are seasonal so get as many pictures as you can to draw inspiration from when the flowers might not be available.
I also recommend the book by Robbie Honey – Accidental Botanist: The Structure of Plants Revealed. Robbie deconstructed all these different flowers, it’s so interesting to see the structure – and the perfect images for a paper florist who is building up flowers!
10. Do you have any advice for a Paper Florist who is working on the same wedding as a florist?
Communication is everything! Both paper florists and fresh florists are creative minds, and sometimes it can be difficult or forgotten to voice concerns and/or thoughts. So try really hard to make sure you are always communicating as a team.
Learn more about Alicia, Flirty Fleurs, and Bella Fiori by following on social media:
WEBSITES:
INSTAGRAM:
Join us this week as Quynh and Jessie say goodbye to their friend and confidante, Priscilla, as she embarks on a new path in September.
In this touching Episode, Priscilla explains why she’s decided to move on from her wildly successful paper flower business, when she knew it was time, and what she intends to do next.
The paper flower community will miss you dearly Priscilla!!!
You can learn more about us and our work by following each of us on social media:
Quynh https://www.instagram.com/pinkandposey/
We first met Jasmine Sing at our Masterclass back in April of this year and we were just captivated by her warmth and friendliness. Not only is she hilariously funny and frank, but she is also fiercely ambitious. Since moving from Singapore to South Korea, her adopted country, she is forging her own paper flower path and introducing crepe paper flowers to crafters in Asia through her workshops and online courses.
Let’s get to know a little bit about Jasmine:
1. Tell us a bit about your paper flower business
I am a craft enthusiast and I love making things with my hands. I started making paper flowers as a hobby and recently started conducting workshops in Korea and Singapore.
I am currently based in South Korea and I am very excited to be one of the first to introduce crepe paper flowers here. I have also started my online classes for a Korean app platform and planning to create more contents for English speakers as well.
I am pretty new to this industry but, I do have a big dream. I hope to become the bridge between the Western and Asian markets and share my knowledge on everything such as materials, tools, techniques, and different styles for this amazing art.
2. How would you describe your paper flowers and/or your aesthetic?
I am still exploring different styles but, I do enjoy and challenge myself to create flowers that are realistic looking.
3. What do you find the most challenging and rewarding about having a paper flower business?
That would definitely be placing and marketing my business in the Korean market as a foreigner. It is really challenging to fit into the Korean culture but very satisfying to know they love my work and enjoy my classes.
4. What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Enjoy the process, love your creations, and try as many mediums as possible.
5. What’s one tool you unexpectedly fell in love with and now use regularly?
I don’t really have many to begin with. But I do love my Kai scissors and also skewers of all sizes to curl my petals.
Want to learn more about Jasmine?
Follow her on her Instagram @merremade and check out her website/classes at https://www.merremade.com/.
Join us this week as Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla talk about their passion: Hosting workshops around the world!
After the success of the Seattle Masterclass in April 2019, it became obviously clear that there is a growing interest in the art of paper flowers and more importantly, an interest in how WE made OUR paper flowers!
As a result, we quickly began to plan our next workshop and paper flower retreat. The culmination of all of our efforts is this Fall’s 2-Day Paper Flower Workshop in Toronto on September 14th and 15th. We have worked incredibly hard to jam-pack the curriculum to include our favourite skills and techniques that we have learned and evolved over the course of our paper flower journey.
Listen to us as we talk about how we plan and run our workshops.
You can learn more about us and our work by following each of us on social media:
Quynh https://www.instagram.com/pinkandposey/
It’s nearly impossible to make paper flowers and not have heard of Lia Griffith, the internationally renowned designer, educator, and author. When we started our crepe paper flower journeys years ago, Lia’s lifestyle website was one of the few that provided paper flower tutorials for crepe paper.
As a leader of the craft industry, Lia’s business model has evolved to a subscription model to provide consistently amazing handmade craft projects for “a handcrafted lifestyle”. She’s partnered with some big brands such as Joann’s and Cricut; she has a line of her own craft tools with Fiskars; and she has her own line of crepe papers, frosted tissue papers, paper flower kits.
In addition to creative projects, Lia’s team consistently pumps out easy, quick, and beautiful paper flower tutorials for beginners and ultimately provides a popular “gateway” into paper flower art for many crafters and artists.
From her studio in Portland, Oregon, Lia’s goal is to teach and help others “find joy in crafting and reopen the door to their creative soul.” Lia’s first paper flower book, “Crepe Paper Flowers: A Beginner’s Guide to Making and Arranging Beautiful Blooms” is now available for sale on her website and on Amazon.
Listen to Lia as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about Lia Griffith and her goal to “handcraft your life”!
You can learn more about Lia and her team by following them on Instagram at @liagriffith, and their website: www.liagriffth.com.
Some of you may not be aware, but Amity Libby of Flower and Jane (formerly Florabeane) was highly involved in The Paper Florist Collective when the idea of organizing an international community of paper florists was in its infancy. At the time, she was known by her maiden name, Amity Beane. Now, she’s more focused on her family and spreading the word of paper floristry in another way and by doing what she does best - teaching. She has built a successful business through her online courses (and fresh flower farming) while living in a small town in Maine.
Listen to Amity as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her recent elopement, her comfort in going Live, and her ambitions to live in Portugal.
Let’s first get to know Amity a bit:
1. Who is Amity Beane/Libby and how did you discover paper floristry?
My name is Amity Libby. Now, as I got married in May, mom of one, Maine-based global citizen! I discovered this lovely art via the Design Sponge Instagram feed. I fell in love with all the featured artists and soon ordered my own paper to play with! I was about four months pregnant when I started and it was a wonderful way to spend that time.
2. How did you find your branding style? How has your brand and style evolved to what it is today?
I’ve been playing with branding styles since I started my first business in the seventh grade (Ami-Tees, tie-dyed shirts). It’s always been fun for me to think of names, slogans, and what fonts go with what. I’m a bit of a style stickler, years of teaching yearbook. I studied book arts in college, at UMaine Machias, and even owned my own Kelsey Excelsior press at one point. When it came to Florabeane, I wanted my brand to be strong, minimal, and natural. I’m toying with a change of name this year to recognize I’m no longer the Beane in Florabeane. I’m also not just a paper florist. My flower farm grows year by year!
3. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your paper florist career?
Well, there are certainly many things others have helped me overcome. Tiffanie Turner was instrumental in encouraging me to get work into a gallery and kind of coached me through the process last year. It was a challenge for me to take that step and she helped! Finding space and time to work are challenges for me. I’ve been so so fortunate to have the support of patrons through my studio subscription. I was able to rent a church last year and this year I’m in a tiny room but it’s all mine and has air conditioning. And now we have daycare! My daughter has a wonderful daycare she attends that allows me to actually work in long spurts of time.
4. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
Teaching others is the way people get to know me and my work. I think creative people gravitate towards my coloration processes and all my little hacks for doing things, developed because I never had enough time before when my daughter was a baby. People remark on the realism of my paper sculptures. That’s always been my goal.
5. How would you define your customer base?
I have two types of customers. Those that collect beautiful things and those that make beautiful things. My collectors have a clear profile. They are all go-getters who purchase my work to elevate their own environments or businesses. My makers are a little different. They are eager to learn, and they are visual learners. They want to see it and do it!! Often they come to the craft for a special occasion (like a wedding or a party) and they get hooked.
There are more men involved - yes, guys make flowers and good ones! And I have a huge diversity of nationalities who learn from me which makes me so happy. It feels like we are one big global group of makers. My biggest joy is hearing from a maker that something I shared with them allowed them to have a breakthrough. That right there motivates me. I just had an artist message me that she had a very successful weekend of sales. She said it had everything to do with the confidence she had gained after taking my master class. I mean, does it get any better to hear that?
6. What advice would you give to a paper florist that is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
If you are just starting out, remember to make twelve of a thing to really get the knack for it. Don’t make one rose, make twelve. You’ll see such a difference by the end. As for one about to give up? Hey, sometimes you need to pivot. You’re not giving up your creativity, you’re just putting down the scissors for a spell. Be still, and make room for the new things coming your way. It’s okay to quit.
7. Do you have any paper flower making tips to share with our listeners?
Use a stapler to keep paper in place when you batch cut. Use a baking sheet to cut and organize your projects. It keeps things tidy and you can stack them. To really sculpt petals, use a painter’s paddle to smear the thinnest layer of glue over the petals and wait for it to tack up before manipulation into a final shape. And above all else ventilate your workspace and take care when using colorants.
8. What would you say is your signature flower?
I just love seeing the ranunculus from Pure Romance Studio Florabeane out in the world. I see it and instantly recognize it as my design. I can’t say that about all of my other flowers, a rose looks like a rose, so let’s say the ranunculus is it!
9. Do you have a favorite tool you use on a daily basis?
My brain. It helps me know when to say no and when to say yes. My heart would have me say yes to everything. But I trust and love my brain and it comes up with some great ideas in this business.
10. Anything else that you’d like us to know about you?
I’d love to know from your listeners what they would like to learn more about - feedback, it’s so important!
Want to learn more about Amity? Follow her on her social media:
WEBSITE | www.flowerandjane.com
INSTAGRAM | @flowerandjane
Most of you know Kate Alarcon’s work through her IG account, @cobralilyshop, and her unique paper flower tutorials on Design*Sponge. This week, we are sitting with our friend to discuss her art and her forthcoming paper flower book, Uncommon Paper Flowers: Extraordinary Botanicals and How to Create Them, now available for purchase and to be released October 15, 2019.
Listen to Kate as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her paper flower art and her book.
Let’s get to know Kate a little bit first:
1. Who is Kate Alarcon?
I'm a paper artist, plant geek, and mom/dog mom.
2. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your paper florist career?
Besides some intense health stuff in the last few years, the challenges for me are probably the challenges we all face. On the business side of things, it's tough not knowing what's coming down the pike: what opportunities will arise that I feel I can't turn down but will require me to drop everything so I can do an impossible amount of work for outcomes I can't fully predict in advance? (I bet most of us have had the experience of turning our lives upside down to do a project that falls through or barely gets promoted.)
How much money is coming in this month (how many pieces will sell? how full will the workshop be?) What's my forecast for the next year? The next five years? Will the paper flower trend eventually start to wane, and what will I do then?
On the creative side of things, Instagram is a blessing and a curse. I love the way it connects us and has allowed us to build a community of paper flower artists. It’s been the single biggest factor in helping me establish myself as a flower maker. And I find the process of posting work and getting immediate, measurable feedback very motivating, but at the same time, it's hard not to work specifically toward numbers of likes and comments.
I think doing that makes it harder to develop a very specific voice and easier to get discouraged when something doesn't "hit." More than once, I've felt excited to explore a new idea, posted a pic of my progress, got crickets, and then (unwisely) scrapped the idea. But honestly, that stuff pales in comparison to the pressure of seeing so much unbelievable work just pour out of my phone every single time I check Instagram.
Sometimes it feels like all the ideas have been taken, everyone's better than me, and there just isn't room for or need for my work. I can tell myself all day long that every artist has something unique to offer and I shouldn't compare myself to others, but that pressure and anxiety is real, and it can be really hard to shake.
3. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
I think the things that made me stand out initially were topic (unusual plants) and range - I did cacti, succulents, mushrooms, carnivorous plants, fish, etc. I also have a kind of in-betweeny style that is realistic-ish but also stylized. My flowers are a little bit stripped down to the main idea rather than hyper-realistic.
4. How would you define your customer base?
I'd say they're women from their twenties to their sixties who are serious about doing something lovely for themselves. It gives me so much joy to be a part of that. One of my favorite types of customers is the retiree who has spent her whole life juggling stuff and taking care of everyone, and now it's her turn to enjoy the interests and passions that have been on the back burner.
That lady deserves an awesome workshop. There are so many pressures on women not to take time for themselves. To teach someone who has broken through all that (whether we’re talking about childcare or eldercare responsibilities, work crunches, social anxiety, etc, etc.) is an honor. I take that very seriously.
5. What advice would you give to a paper florist that is starting out today?
Enjoy the beginning! Hitting my first hundred followers was every bit if not more exciting than hitting 10k. Getting a like from a flower maker I looked up to. Getting my first repost, getting my first order. Don't wait to feel like a serious, established flower maker before you can be proud of yourself and savor what you've accomplished. In the beginning, there’s a lot more freedom to make whatever you want, and that is precious and will likely diminish over time as you start needing to make specific flowers for specific jobs.
6. And one that is about to give up?
I feel really strongly about this: it's ok to quit! Making the decision to quit can be harder and braver than hanging in there when something is not working. It's ok to walk away and try something brand new - maybe paper flowers have helped you build skills and self-knowledge that will set you up for your next big adventure. But there can also be different levels of quitting - do you need to quit wholesaling?
Teaching in person? Posting to Instagram? Trying to rely on your business for a full-time income? Trying to make money at this at all? Are there parts you still like? Is there a way to nurture that without hanging on to every part of running a paper florist business? What if you took a break and just sort of sat with the question?
Let's be real, trying to do any kind of handmade business involves some serious downsides - working alone a lot of the time, not knowing what your income is going to be, having projects and supplies and equipment all over your living space, worrying about hurting your hands, often terrible hours, the kind of feast and famine thing that happens with creative businesses that makes work/life balance tough, a broader cultural attitude that we should happily work for free for "exposure," not having employer-provided health insurance or retirement plan, not having a clear path to advancement. I wish we could talk about that stuff more honestly rather than squelching it with "don't quit your daydreams"-style boosterism.
But sometimes the desire to quit can be a passing mood that’s tied up with insecurity and discouragement. When I feel like the world does not need my art, and I should just stop because it isn't a good fit any more blah blah blah, I try to ask myself whether I would be feeling all this if I had a REALLY good day on Instagram. You know those days where everyone gets what you were trying to do right away and is blown away and happy for you and the likes just keep rolling in? Usually, the answer is, if I had a day like that, I’d be in a completely different headspace. I’d feel happy with my work and confident as an artist. That helps me see the bigger picture a little better.
7. Do you have any paper flower making tips to share with our listeners?
If you use a bone folder and a ruler to score crepe across the grain and then fold along that score line, you get a nice crisp fold. I discovered that while making a cactus, and it has served me well!
8. Do you have a favorite tool you use on a daily basis?
I love my awl!
Kate’s book, Uncommon Paper Flowers: Extraordinary Botanicals and How to Craft Them, is now on sale!
This week, we get to know Stine Evensen, the artist behind the IG account, @tabletakes!
With only watercolour paper and paint, Stine is able to create these wonderfully intricate wildflowers and common flowers that she sees every day around her surroundings. Her IG account is filled with bright and beautifully photographed images of her creations. She was a bit of a mystery to us as she seldom (if ever) shares much of her personal self on social media so it was a joy to finally meet her face to face (albeit virtually) and get a chance to hear her talk about herself and her art.
Read and listen to Stine as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her process, her inspiration, and her art.
Let’s get to know Stine a little bit first:
1. Stine, tell us a bit about your paper flower business.
I make wildflowers based on plants I find growing freely in my neighborhood. If I’m traveling, I photograph plants and make them later. If someone needs a specific flower, I love making that too, and I even enjoy coming up with the occasional fictional flower.
2. How would you describe your paper flowers and/or your aesthetic?
The flowers I make are made from watercolor paper and watercolors. Give me some floral tape and some metal tread - and I would have no idea what to do with it! I really like Tiffany Turner’s book and to see what crepe paper- or other paper florists do, but I’ve never followed a tutorial. I like to come up with my own ways. Just like with cooking. It means we sometimes eat failed food, but usually, it works out fine. I also have fun with expanding the field a little, for example by making lichen growing on small paper stones; they are simple, everyday objects that feel magical when you look closely.
3. What do you find the most challenging and rewarding about having a paper flower business?
What I love most is how this practice has put me in contact with all these fantastic makers and flower lovers out there. The continuous search for new flowers has also made me feel at home in my own city. Now I know all these hidden corners of green treasures. Designing standardized objects and approaching markets outside of my circle of friends and family is challenging. Working with the display is also not a favorite thing of mine, but I make a lot of self-standing flowers- and stone objects. They can sit on their own on a desk or a shelf.
4. What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Work from real models whenever you can, even when realism isn’t your main goal. It’s such a rewarding task to highlight our immediate, natural environment.
5. What’s one tool you unexpectedly fell in love with and now use regularly?
What I like most is that I have so few tools needed. All I use can fit in a small box. That said, they are usually spread out in a big mess.
Want to learn more about Stine? Follow her on her Instagram @tabletakes to continue to see her amazing paper botanical art.
Join us this week as we discuss how we consult with potential clients/brides that approach us for unique commissions. Each of us has varying but extensive experience with wedding inquiries, so we often get questions about how we go about communicating with our clients, what issues to address and confirm during our communications from the initial contact to delivery, and what questions to ask so you don’t get burned.
We all approach our consultations slightly differently, but we all agree that there are a number of topics that must be part of the discussion early on. We hope that our frank conversation in this Episode of Paper Talk will enlighten anyone who has to speak with a client - any type of client - about a commission or sale.
Today, we are in conversation with the amazing and always thoughtful, Lynn Dolan. Lynn started her paper flower journey nearly 7 years ago and before long, she was teaching how to make paper flowers and botanicals at Castle in the Air. She currently teaches workshops at Etui (Fall workshop schedule forthcoming).
Be sure to listen to Lynn as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her art and inspiration.
Lynn has been around the block for a while now so it’s no surprise that she’s got tons of useful insight into the paper flower art form and why she does what she does:
Let’s first learn a bit about Lynn:
1. Who is Lynn Dolan?
I'm an ordinary person in love with the world and the different types of humans in it - and especially in love with the natural world. It blows my mind that there is so much going on, just on our little blue planet, that an entire lifetime is not enough for anyone to become acquainted with all of it.
Not being an expert at any particular thing myself, I'm grateful for and really admire experts - scientists, naturalists, writers, painters, craftsmen, musicians, cooks, etc. I would like to keep learning from others as I continue to "grow up". In my daily life, I'm also a mom to a young teen who doesn't quite "get" my plant fascination, but is pretty patient about my projects and corny "mom humor". I was also supposed to have been a nurse by now, but I took a little detour until my son is a little older.
2. How did you find your branding style? How has your brand and style evolved to what it is today?
This is a tricky question - I don't see myself as having a "brand". I'd like certain freedom to evolve and indulge in whatever project interests me at any given moment - even if it's not "popular". I'm not obsessed with realism, but I aim to be respectful of whatever it is that makes a type of flower/plant what it "IS". So, a certain level of detail is important to me, but you're going to see it through my eyes and hands.
I am influenced by old paintings and botanical illustrations - especially Persian and renaissance depictions of plant life. Not a lot of it is "realistic", but you definitely know what it is that you are looking at, and it is quite graceful and the works have a unique finger-print to them.
I keep all of my old work in my IG gallery -- you can scroll all the way down to the first post to some of my "dorkier" stuff and see the 'evolution' of my paper art. a lot of "halfway-done' projects are there too! If you need a short answer - you could say my brand is: Plant portraits!
3. What are some of the challenges you've faced during your paper florist career?
The number one challenge: Simply explaining to others WHAT it is that I do. I think people hear the words, "paper flowers", and immediately picture something 'cutesy' or 'crafty' in a quick, simple way. I'm still reluctant to call myself an artist -- it's okay to feel like I am something in between a "crafter" and an "artist'. However, I STILL get a lot of inquiries for projects, collabs, commissions and there's a pattern: "You are so talented, your work is beautiful - blah -blah" - "Can you make (some absurd number of thing) for (an absurdly low cost) in an (absurdly short time frame)" - I used to see the disappointment /balking at my reply coming and try to come up with a defense/explanation of my work because I understood that they equated crepe paper with "quick, easy and cheap".
I usually would not even get a reply back. Now, I just give my rate, turn-around time, and a simple, "thank you for your interest" and let it go. I'm not emotionally invested in those interactions anymore. A lot of people still misunderstand what it is that I am doing and approach our work with some weird notions about its value -- in a way they would not other art using paper as a medium. I also long ago decided not to work in the wedding industry (although I think there is a healthy market for our craft in it!) because it didn't allow me to do the type of work that is personally gratifying to me.
4. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
I just do my own thing - I don't know that I stand out?? Some things strike a chord with others and some of my favorites are only my favorites! I know some makers feel anxiety if they feel their work isn't received in a way they'd like - I choose to see a kind of freedom in it - no one owes me a "like" and I don't owe anyone any content!
I confess to getting a little bored of seeing the same things over and over sometimes - but I totally understand that there are certain flowers with wide appeal and that there is definitely an arc that people follow when they first get into this particular craft with certain "gateway flowers" - I did too! I'm happy when I see more people putting their own twist to the work and I'm working at being better at showing my appreciation when coming across subjects or work that is original.
5. How would you define your customer base?
For the most part, they are plant and natural history lovers, and lovers of botanical art in particular. They love objects, display pieces - and things that have an element of a 'joke' to them (hence, the boxes). They are fantastic entertainers, love a beautiful table, and are also great gift-givers. Usually, my commissions have a personal reference to them - a certain plant or something done in an unusual color - in honor of a loved one or memory.
I make sure my clients understand that this material is not archival quality - so they are ready to embrace the fading of the paper or any of the changes this medium undergoes over a period of time. My clients are very cool in that they "get" that!
6. What advice would you give to a paper florist that is starting out today? And one that is about to give up?
Oh, this is heavy --- I am aware that I am doing this for different reasons than many paper flower crafters. I KNOW that I would continue to do this even if no one else cared. I claim ownership of my work as something I ultimately do for my own pleasure and am truly grateful that I am able to indulge in it as much as I am able to these days. I am grateful to have been able to connect with others who share the same spirit.
I think you really have to sit down with yourself and examine (actually write down) what are the material and emotional returns you are wanting to get out of doing this thing? What sacrifices are you willing to make for those goals? If any of it sounds cringe-y to you afterward, alter your course. I think there are actually many who get into this "scene" with the same attitude as some of my would-be clients - "OOH! pretty, fast, cheap, paper!" - and it shows in their work.
This has made me a kind of a snob when it comes to e-commerce sites like Etsy, because I see the pages flooded with work that I actually think is underpriced for the amount of time/effort that has gone into pieces - not to mention, customers who can't tell the difference between a detailed piece and the productions stuff because it's "all just paper". IF YOU PRICE YOUR WORK TOO LOW, OTHERS WILL NOT SEE VALUE IN WHAT YOU DO NOT VALUE - AND you bring down the value entire market really.
Incidentally, Instagram amplifies that need for instant gratification by implying that you need to quickly cultivate a market or audience and do those weird "engagement growth" tactics, etc. I've been doing this paper thing on IG long before a lot of bigger accounts came on the scene. I saw the switch from personal/social accounts to marketing a business on quite a few - they'd be better to ask for business advice. I made a deliberate choice to keep a low-tech social approach to my own account.
I'm on here to make real friends! I am an observer by nature - and I did notice people talk about negative feelings associated with work comparisons, the pressure to be innovative or "keep up", getting approval from others, and the struggle associated with hustling 'to make it' to a business goal. I saw others who turned to marketing aggressively with their accounts and then they just kind of "dropped out" altogether - which felt inauthentic and merely transactional, but to each his own!
Why are you giving up? Did you have clear goals realistic from the beginning? Did you place some unrealistic time frame on your goals? More importantly, are those goals rooted in business or in art? Did you imagine a potential for "easy" income? Is this something you are ultimately doing for personal development? Are you merely following a trend? Do you know that trends come and go?
Would you STILL do this thing if no one else cared?? If you really do LIKE what you are doing, you will be more fearless about it and the right language to describe your work will come naturally to you. In the end, I enjoy this art/craft. The process is therapeutic and I find joy in the act of making these things. It gets me out of doors and using my eyes in new ways. That there are people willing to pay me for the results is merely a bonus - I'm happy that they understand the basis of what I do and that they are sympathetic! I'm not making income hand over fist, just enough to feed my passions!
The only solid business advice I have is from personal experience. You are not obligated to please people. It is OKAY (and sometimes beneficial) to say NO to projects and other requests. Respect your work pace and make room for being a well-rounded human being - or it will show in your work. I firmly believe in not becoming a mere 'producer'. This is why I turn down most production work - but that's just me. I realised how unhappy and bored I was making too many of one thing at a time - and then the entire lot of that work was never really appreciated by the client anyway. I'm anti hustle!
7. Do you have any paper flower making tips to share with our listeners?
I think this applies mostly to beginners --- there is a tendency to be too precious with the paper. Ironically, "It's just paper!" does apply in this case, when you are looking at the paper in its raw state, NOT post-transformation as your finished work. Experiment! Try coloring techniques on scraps. Look at colors as "base colors" not as the final color you are aiming for, and see potential new color palettes open up to you.
Don't be heavy-handed with the glue or the coloring tools, it's always better to have to add more of those than try to mitigate a soggy over-saturated mess. Then, there's the more philosophical advice: Invest in the process - SLOW DOWN. Ask yourself questions as you look at your work in progress. "Is it the right silhouette? Are the petal margins really this perfect?
Do I notice certain patterns or 'behaviors' in the real thing? Avoid making clones of things (that's actually just my pet peeve - WHY would you want 5 roses that are EXACTLY alike in a bouquet?) Use Google images as a great resource tool - lookup botanical prints and macro images of your subject matter. I think 75% of my work is observation and choosing colors.
8. Do you have a favorite tool you use on a daily basis?
I LOVE using wooden skewers to curl leaves, petals, thin wire. I also use them to score surfaces, poke holes, make textures in paper clay, etc. So simple, yet so useful! I also try to make my class projects accessible so that you don't feel like you MUST buy a ton of sprays, coloring tools, etc. You can really use a bunch of things that are on hand at home if you don't get yourself hung up on another person's techniques.
I'm constantly having to improvise - mostly because I have chaotic (translate: BAD) habits! The quality of your scissors is non-negotiable though! You will work more efficiently and save wear and tear on your joints, if you decide that you want to make a lot of things, by investing in the right pair of high-quality scissors!
Want to learn more about Lynn?
Follow her on her Instagram @lmdolan75 to keep admiring her beautiful paper flowers.
Today we are chatting with three talented Paper Florists, Kelly Grace Gibbons, Susan Bonn, and Jessa Parker, about their businesses and honing their craft! All three lovely ladies were at the Masterclass in the spring so it was incredibly nice to come together again and hear their stories.
Get to know Susan Bonn’s paper flower journey:
Tell us a bit about your paper flower business
I started making paper flowers about 4 years ago. It was a hobby for me while still working my corporate job. After my retirement last year, I moved to a full-time career as a paper florist, and I’m so glad I did! My flowers are all made to order. I make flowers for all occasions and gift-giving. I love to personally deliver my flowers to their new owner—the look on the face of the recipient is priceless!!!
How would you describe your paper flowers and/or your aesthetic?
I’m pretty structured in my personal style, so my flowers reflect that aesthetic. I like to make my flowers look as realistic as possible. I use the dissection of fresh-cut florals as my inspiration.
I’m working on making some less structured blooms, with more movement and fluidity in the structure—It’s a learning process.
What do you find the most challenging and rewarding about having a paper flower business?
Running your own business is hard! Making flowers is the fun part, for sure, but there are many daunting tasks associated with running your own business. It’s been challenging learning website design and maintenance, not to mention keeping up-to-date bookkeeping and business software.
What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Have fun! Pick up a pair of scissors and just start cutting. You’ll be surprised at what you can do. Learn from nature-Mother Nature is so willing to share her creations. Pick a flower from your garden and take it apart—you’ll see how Mother Nature put it together!
Reach out to your fellow paper florists! There’s lots of helpful information to access. Many of us have classes that can be viewed on platforms such as Teachable. Don’t get too caught up in making it a business. Learn the basics. Make lots of mistakes. The business part will come later and you’ll be better prepared.
What’s one tool you unexpectedly fell in love with and now use regularly?
Omg—Life-Changing Blending brushes from Picket Fence! These are a game-changer for me I have several sets that I use to lay down Pan Pastels on paper.
Get to know Jessa Parker’s paper flower journey:
Tell us a bit about your paper flower business.
I’ve been making paper flowers since 2015. I started with my wedding where I made all of the boutonnières, bouquets, and decor using cardstock paper. From there, I took a year to build up a library of flower designs and to figure out where I wanted to fit in the paper flower community. I chose the wedding industry because I love making something that’s custom to each couple and something that they can display in their home as a token of their favorite day.
How would you describe your paper flowers and/or your aesthetic?
My aesthetic tends to lean toward clean and tight like the way fresh flowers look right before they open.
What do you find the most challenging and rewarding about having a paper flower business?
The most challenging aspect is how to correctly price my items. It took a while to gain the confidence to call what I do more than just crafting in my spare time. This is my art, my style, my designs, and my time away from family that I’m sharing with clients, and the price of my work should reflect that. The most rewarding part about being a paper florist is, hands-down, the moment you present the items to the bride/groom. The excitement, appreciation, and awe on their face are unbeatable.
What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Start conversations within the paper florist community!! Ask questions, tell us about your work, share what inspires you and what your goals are for your flowers. Communication leads to friendships which leads to recommendations and opportunities.
What’s one tool you unexpectedly fell in love with and now use regularly?
My favorite tools are the Create It lollipop sticks for rolling along with Sculpey style & detail tools and a thick yoga mat for a cardstock version of cupping.
Get to know Kelly Grace’s paper flower journey:
Tell us a bit about your paper flower business.
My studio is located in Frenchtown, NJ. I have a storefront with good visibility and I can sit a decent number of adults Comfortably. I live with my family 15 minutes from my studio in Union Township. It’s a beautiful area. I recently rebranded my business name to Paper Floral Co. My store sign still says Crafting Space with Kelly Grace. I have been making paper flowers for two years now!
I began making paper flowers during the summer of 2017 after I got married. I was a little depressed and was not feeling my best. I wasn’t working at the time and I had just finished some pretty intense college classes right before my wedding. I started with wood flowers and moved on to book page flowers and I found some success with those. I discovered a video of someone making a crepe paper echinacea, I think it may have been Tina from ABC TV.
One video led to another and I discovered Lia Griffith and then Amity from Florabeane, and then the Paper Florist Facebook group. I purchased supplies from Lia Griffith to make some crepe paper flowers and a couple of paper flower books off Amazon. Livia Cetti’s camellia was my first tutorial. I just began to continuously make and create.
I began to feel so much better, and I now truly believe there is merit to Creative Therapy in healing depression. Recreating nature using paper was great alternative medicine for me. It’s not to say that medicine isn’t the better choice for others but for me, creating flowers was impactful. Then grew the thought that this could be my job, and that was very much appealing to me. So I took the basic steps to start a biz and continued to create. Fast forward two years and here I am!
How would you describe your paper flowers and/or your aesthetic?
I’m still growing into my aesthetic and I love the color of all shades and tones but I seem to consistently have a bold beauty thing going on.
What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Practice and practice and just create. Unplug from social media if you can and just do you. Your style will emerge and will be perfect.
What’s your favorite tool and/or material to use?
Pretty basic, but Tacky glue and doublette are my highest volume materials. But I sure do love my extra fine-tipped glue gun too! I like my bone folder and my Pan Pastels. As paper florists, aren’t we all craft tool junkies?
What’s one thing you want people to know about paper flowers or the paper florist industry?
It’s a beautiful art and it’s a growing trend that is here to stay for a while! Like the floral design, it’s a multi-faceted industry. Value your time!
You can learn more about each of these creative ladies on their social media platforms:
Susan Bonn, Susan Bonn Designs (website/Instagram)
Jessa Parker, 14keys_design (Instagram)
In this week’s episode of Paper Talk, we discuss the proper etiquette for sharing photos on social media and what to do when you are not properly credited.
This can be a bit of a hot topic for some people who aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of social media and don’t understand why it’s not ok to share a photo that isn’t theirs without permission. Many of us have been in a situation where someone takes one of our photos, something we worked very hard to create and uses it for their own purposes without properly crediting.
This can be so frustrating! Our hope is that our talk will help clear up any confusion and provide clear steps to take when this does happen or if you’re someone who is unsure if you can use a photo that doesn’t belong to you.
In this Episode, we are chatting with the beautiful and lovely Margie Keates of The Lovely Ave! We met Margie at the Masterclass and we immediately became smitten with her down-to-earth character and bubbly personality (yes - she really is as friendly and fun as she appears online!)
Listen to Margie as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her business, her “house”, and her new studio space.
Margie is such a well-spring of information for paper florists and had some great insights to share with us!
Check out what she has to say about branding, style, and persevering.
Per Margie:
1. How did you find your branding style? And when you started A Lovely Ave four years ago, how has it evolved to what it is today?
I found my branding style with the help of a brand specialist. I reached out to her about a month after a started Instagram because I knew that I needed help with my logo and how I wanted to present this new company. She helped me get all of my ideas out and then she sifted through what she felt would look best over time. I call these the "walls of my business".
My foundation is my why and my branding was the structural beams that needed to be built so that I could continue to grow. The branding helped me stay focused and allowed me to grow inside my "house" without straying too far outside my brand. This created consistency and helped my brand become more recognizable.
My brand has of course evolved as I have evolved as an artist. This evolution comes from pushing yourself to try new techniques and try new ideas. This only happens when you truly figure out the direction you want to take, however, that is not as easy as it sounds. It took me two years to realize that I didn’t want to be in the wedding industry and that I wanted to focus on home decor.
I still struggle with that choice since we do still offer wedding options through our site. In the end, you have to focus on what makes you happiest, and learning how to say no is super important. As you can see, I am still trying to take my own advice but I believe in baby steps and not making decisions too quickly.
2. As you start your fourth year of business, what challenges are you facing?
The struggle I am currently facing is being forced into a new studio space since our old Pickle building was sold. We found a new studio, however, it is almost double the cost of what we are used to paying. This obviously makes it harder to just create for fun (which is how I believe new ideas and new styles come about) and makes your days all about how to make more money. This is going to be something I will truly have to work on and make sure that I don’t lose sight of what is truly important, my why.
3. How have you made your paper flower voice stand out in the crowd?
One word: CONSISTENCY. I knew from the very start that it was important that I created something every day and then I would share my work on a regular basis. This helped make me a better artist but also helped with my brand recognition. I also made a point to stop comparing my work to other amazing artists. I know, I know...that is so much easier said than done, but truly, you have to stop.
Your work is already unique because YOU made it. Keep creating and your own quirks and style will become more apparent and that is how you will be recognized. Consistency with your way of doing things and not comparing yourself to others who may be on a different level than you are. The perfect example is my anemones.
They don’t like realistic... far from it, and I have tried to change them multiple times. But every time I do, I realize that my new and more realistic anemone looks like everyone else's and it just gets lost. So stay true to yourself and put those blinders on! I do want to make it clear that you can grow as an artist and gain better skills and still keep your style so don’t be afraid to grow as an artist because your style will always follow.
4. How would you define your customer base?
My customer base is the person who wants something lovely in their home that will start a conversation or spread joy to others. They want to gift our flowers because they know the joy they felt when they saw our blooms for the first time and they want to share that joy. Our customers are everyday consumers who are excited to find something new and share it with their friends and family.
5. How did you narrow down your ideal customer when you were starting out?
Honestly, I didn’t. I tried every avenue and did almost every project. I didn’t know what made me truly happy so I just took every job. I recommend doing this for at least your first year. It's almost like trying on a wedding dress. You may think you know what silhouette you want, but you try on every type because it turns out a mermaid shape is actually very constricting and how are you supposed to drop it low on the dance floor if you cant move?!
It's the same when you're trying to find what your ideal customer is. You really can only find out when you take an order of every type and see how it makes YOU feel. You're going to be doing this job for a very long time, might as well make sure you absolutely love every aspect of it!
6. What advice would you give to a paper florist that is starting out today?
And one that is about to give up? My advice is actually for both scenarios. I want to remind them how important they are to this community, to this art form, and to the world. They are creating something magical with their hands, how amazing is that?! Stay in that powerful thought and let it empower you.
If you're just starting out, remember that your flowers will not be perfect, but they will be yours and that is huge. Also, nature isn’t perfect so you're already doing something right, GET IT BOO!! Remember to create something every day, even if you don’t have orders. This will allow you to practice your craft while also allowing potential clients to see what you are capable of. OH and one last thing: COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY, hunny, don’t let others' work sway you from being you.
If you're about to give up, please reach out for help. Its okay to admit that this job is crazy hard and that sometimes, maybe all of the time, it feels like you're not going to make it. Please know that we have all felt this way in one form or the other. Talk to your fellow paper florist, get some feedback on your work, and maybe just take a break...but please don’t give up. Your work is needed in this world and you started this journey for a reason. Reflect on that reason/your why and keep pushing. We are all here for you!
7. Do you have any paper flower-making tips to share with our listeners?
PUT DOWN THOSE TUTORIALS. I know, I get it, I like following the rules too. But trust me, when you make your first flower from scratch you will realize how powerful your hands and mind truly are. This is so important as an artist and as a human being. Learn what techniques you can from other florists but in the end, your hands are your own, and I for one what to see what you can do with them! Create just for yourself and show the world!
8. What would you say is your signature flower?
It’s a three-way tie between my wild garden rose, my classic peony, and now my peony bombs.
9. Tell us about your subscription service!
When I first started this business I knew I wanted to have a subscription service. After doing this job for 3 years, I realized that my original thought of having bundles of blooms shipped out would be too hard. It wasn’t until my close friend suggested I think smaller and only start off with one flower a month. Its been a wonderful 6 months where I have learned SO much about myself but also about my clients. I cannot wait to see where this will take me as an artist and also where it will take my tiny little company.
10. How adding a subscription service has changed your business?
It has provided me with consistent income and work. This is HUGE in an online world, especially in a market where we are creating everlasting blooms that make it hard to retain customers. This service brings in a cash flow that we haven’t seen before and that is helpful in multiple ways. However, it also brings a little bit of headache.
No matter what, we are shipping anywhere from 50-150 orders a month. That is A LOT. Its been a struggle to keep up with inventory, packing materials, and what is truly important: creating for just me. So even though it helped my company be more financially stable, it's also tricky to keep everything else balanced. Talk to me in 6 months and we will see if we have survived!
In this podcast, we are in conversation with Jodi Duncan of Design Master. Design Master is a company that provides colour solutions to the fresh floral industry. Internationally, they are associated with Oasis-Smithers.
Jodi herself has years of experience as a fresh floral designer and she is very well known in the fresh floral industry. Her knowledge about the colour products is astounding. At the 2019 Masterclass, she demonstrated how to use Design Master products on both fresh and paper flowers.
We love using Design Master spray paints because they come in a wide spectrum of colours, are light weight enough to sit on top of the crepe papers, and dry in a few seconds, so we are excited to hear from Jodi that our paper flower community is now on Design Master’s radar.
Listen to Jodi as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her involvement in Design Master and how she believes her products can help our community.
Let’s get to know Jodi and Design Master first:
1. We know that Design Master has been around a long time. Can you tell us the history and how you got involved with Design Master?
Mark Addison created DM. The idea was born around a kitchen table in 1961. Mark was an art-loving accountant who saw a need and an opportunity and Design Master was born. He is very much retired but he is still active and can be found around our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado from time to time. Design Master was born to serve florists who needed colors that were unavailable. In 1961 distribution looked much different than it does today.
Design Master was born as a color solution and remains so today across multiple diverse surfaces. We create color for the floral artistic community. Attributes of our products include: Multi-surface. Fast-drying. We work with chemists to develop our formulas and our Color Tool formula was the original. Our founder Mark was passionate about education and we are still to this day very much interested in supporting color education for artists in multiple mediums.
I started doing stage demonstrations and hands-on classes for Design Master in 2008. I was a fierce floral competition designer and won many regional, state, and national titles. That put me on their radar so they began to ask me to travel and teach and do programs for them nationwide.
I began to develop relationships with the great team at Design Master and they found out I was more than just a designer & speaker, but also could help with marketing, social media, and product development. So it was & is an evolution. Now I have a retainer contract with them and I’m on board for all kinds of creative color endeavors with the fantastic team at Design Master.
2. Can you tell us the proper way to use your spray paints?
We have basic common sense info on the can as well as our website, dmcolor.com.
Ventilation. Don’t spray around the flame. Common sense. Check the label. Non toxic when dry. The application part needs attention. There are certain ways we use ALL tools. For instance, don’t run with scissors!
3. Any precautions we need to be aware of and how to store the spray paints?
Just avoid temperature extremes. Nothing above 120degrees. It lasts 20-30 years in the can so it does not get old...just shake vigorously.
4. You have so many beautiful colors of spray paints and tints and we want to know if you have a plan to expand your color line?
Yes, they will be released in July! We are so excited to show you the new trends in colour that we have been working on bringing to the market. Gretchen and I are very aware of the color trends and hyper aware of what is happening with color and how it develops as well as consumer responses to color.
5. Are there any colors that you are retiring?
We have several colors that are still available but retiring. Coral Bell and Platinum are about to go away. Modern Metals is also about to disappear, as is Cherry Wood Tone. Aspen Yellow is going, to be replaced with a new yellow. Almond and Terra Cotta are also being retired and replaced with fresher versions. Fashion does not stay the same and neither does the color world!
6. Also, is there a spray that will help us preserve the colors over a long period of time?
We are looking into that with our team of chemists.
7. We love that you support the Paper Flower Community so much by highlighting so many amazing paper florists’ works via Instagram and Facebook. If a paper artist wanted to get a feature on your IG and Facebook feed - what’s the best way to tag you to get noticed?
Just tag us and give us permission to share the posts and projects. We love user-generated content! Bring it ON! Send us a DM or just tag us.
8. What other ways does Design Master support the community?
Our ways of supporting the paper community are as fresh as the community itself. We underwrite many educational endeavors and workshops for paper florists and look forward to being a part of the growth of paper florists. We are always excited to develop relationships with distributors to get our cans in your talented hands. We are always at Creativation and showed paper floral in our booth and had a tremendous response in January.
9. What are some questions that you might have for the paper florist community?
What are the avenues of growth you see for your products? Home decor? Nursery? Commercial displays? Weddings? Other directions on the horizon?
Do most paper florists operate with tax license? Or as an enthusiast?
10. What are some things that you would like people to know about Design Master that we haven’t already covered?
Our emphasis is about color on surfaces. We are not just an aerosol. We are not just hardware store paint. We are of diverse color. And we are color education.
11. Finally, where can we find your products?
We have a diverse distribution channel that serves the consumer market with Michaels, AC Moore, Ben Franklin, and regional craft chains. We have on our website different options for places to purchase online. If you have a TAX id license you can buy professionally at floral wholesalers across the country.
Here is Jodi’s Ted Talk on Flower Powered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD15Jst02xo
In this week’s podcast, we have a frank chat over coffee about how we each started our paper flower journeys. Although we all have a similar passion for making paper flowers, we each took it up at different points in our lives and for all together different reasons.
I think how we got started also shaped our business model and approach to paper flower making. We each faced a turning point where we could decide to do nothing and continue our lives as they were, or decide to do something and pursue that new path - our passion. We each ultimately chose to change the trajectory of our lives, and in this episode, we discuss the reasons why we did it and how we made our life-changing choice.
You can view more of our work by following each of us on social media:
Quynh Nguyen, Pink and Posey
Website: www.pinkandposey.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pinkandposey
Jessie Chui, Crafted to Bloom
Website: www.craftedtobloom.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessieatcraftedtobloom
Priscilla Park, Sophia, and Rose Collective
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SophiaandRoseCo
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophiaandrosecollective
In our second podcast, we are chatting it up with the king of crepe paper (at least on this side of the ocean), Mike Benson of Carte Fini. Carte Fini is based in San Diego, California and it is an online distributor of Cartotecnica Rossi Italian crepe paper and ships worldwide.
We first met Mike at the 2019 Masterclass in Monroe, Washington, where he generously sponsored part of our swag bag for the attendees. He even enthusiastically participated in paper flower making for the first time (and did a darn good job!). Mike is an ardent supporter of our craft and has made it his mission to work with our community to promote emerging and established artists alike.
Listen to Mike as he talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about his entry into the paper flower industry, his involvement with artists, and his take on the growth of the crepe paper community in the PAPER TALK PODCAST.
In our second podcast, we are chatting it up with the king of crepe paper (at least on this side of the ocean), Mike Benson of Carte Fini. Carte Fini is based in San Diego, California and it is an online distributor of Cartotecnica Rossi Italian crepe paper and ships worldwide.
We first met Mike at the 2019 Masterclass in Monroe, Washington, where he generously sponsored part of our swag bag for the attendees. He even enthusiastically participated in paper flower making for the first time (and did a darn good job!). Mike is an ardent supporter of our craft and has made it his mission to work with our community to promote emerging and established artists alike.
Listen to Mike as he talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about his entry into the paper flower industry, his involvement with artists, and his take on the growth of the crepe paper community in the PAPER TALK PODCAST.
In addition to having a candid conversation with us, Mike was kind enough to address our pointed questions offline:
1. Can you tell us how Carte Fini first began and how long have you been in business now?
Our company has been in business since 2008. I first began Carte Fini after acquiring the inventory and original business plan from a friend that decided to exit their business for personal reasons. The “original” business strategy focused on fresh flower florists as an alternative wrapping to the traditional and popular tissue paper. However, we quickly learned that it was the crafting community that embraced this sturdy, stretchable and high-quality crepe paper…. this continues to be the primary and growing mark.
2. Let’s talk about your paper. What types of crepe paper do you carry and where can people buy your crepe paper?
Carte Fini specializes in the finest quality Italian-made crepe paper. Our supplier has always been Cartotecnica Rossi that has manufactured their product in Arsiero Italy since 1878. Currently, we offer the very popular heavy-weight 180 gram, 140 gram water-resistant, and lighter-weight 60-gram crepe papers.
3. You have so many beautiful colors of crepe paper and we want to know if you have a plan to expand your color line - is there any color that you are retiring?
With very few exceptions, Carte Fini carries ALL of the colors that our supplier offers in the weights described. In the last couple of years, Cartotecnica Rossi has been busy adding additional colors on a seasonal basis that we readily include in our own offering. We have no plans on retiring any of the colors that we offer as long as they are relevant to our customers.
4. What’s your relationship with Cartotecnica Rossi?
Cartotecnica Rossi has been our supplier and partner since the beginning. We are happy to be their primary distributor and seller in the United States!
5. Now that the paper florist industry is getting more popular and more people are starting to sell paper, how does Carte Fini stand out and stay at the head of the crepe paper industry? Any tips for paper florists facing similar situations as our industry grows the field gets a bit more crowded?
It is wonderful that we are seeing the paper florist industry growing at such a robust pace. Carte Fini is proud to have been one of the early players and sources for the kind of materials that these talented crafters and artists are seeking for their creations. Our intention is to continue to be the most relevant and useful source of products, inspiration, and support for our existing and new customers.
As for the many paper artists that are currently working in this industry and those that may be just be starting out, we’ve always found that you will succeed by emphasizing your own, singular value. For paper florists, everyone's creations are uniquely their own and that distinction alone will set them apart. And, of course, providing the best customer service possible will build a strong reputation and referral base well into the future.
6. We love that you support the Paper Flower Community so much by highlighting so many amazing paper florists’ works every day via Instagram and on your website. If a paper artist wanted to get a feature on your IG - what’s the best way to tag you to get noticed?
The best way is to tag us in your post as well as to use the hashtag #cartefini or #cartefinicrepepaper - However, since a lot of people are doing that already, reaching out via Instagram Direct Message would be your best option. We are always happy to help support any of the great artists via social channels and love discovering new talent.
7. What are other ways that Carte Fini supports artists?
From the very beginning, we have always teamed up and worked with artists. For example, our relationship with Tiffanie Turner actually goes back 8+ years and we are so proud and happy to see how far she has come with her business and art! As many of you may know, Tiffanie has actually helped design and curate her own collections of colors that are extremely popular! We also recently started working more with new artists. Each collaboration is unique and different.
We encourage paper artists to reach out to us if they are interested in working with us. There is almost always some way to collaborate and we are always open to new ideas. We are also currently in the process of developing an artist profile feature on our website. If that sounds interesting, please reach out directly to me at [email protected].
8. What are some questions that you might have for the paper florist community?
We would love to know what they want more of? And if there is anything we could improve - we are always open to constructive feedback and comments.
9. What are some things you’d like people to know about Carte Fini that we haven’t already covered?
If you weren’t aware of it already, for customers that live in the continental US, you get FREE shipping for 8+ rolls! Also, be on the lookout for new segments on our website that will include regular Artist Profiles, Listings for upcoming workshops throughout the United States (and the world!), and more DIY tutorials!
10. Where do you see Carte Fini going from here?
We will continue to support our customers with the products, informational content, and inspiration that they are most interested in. At the same time, we will strive to encourage new and existing artists, crafters, and anyone that seeks to become part of this creative and supportive community!
In our very first podcast, we are featuring the wonderful Wendy Middaugh of WJM Paper Floral Designs. We met Wendy at our Masterclass in Seattle this past spring and was so impressed by her art and personality. Wendy resides just southwest of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, U.S.A. She’s been making paper flowers for about 1.5 years, picking up the craft via YouTube tutorials.
She currently works full time as a lab technician, however, you can find her making paper flowers all the time and selling them via her website, WJM Paper Floral Designs. She’s also got an Instagram presence, sharing her craft with her followers under @wjmpaperfloraldesigns.
Listen to Wendy as she talks with Quynh, Jessie, and Priscilla, about her paper flowers, her growing business, and her paper flower journey, on the PAPER TALK PODCAST.
In addition to our chat with Wendy on Paper Talk, are some of the things that Wendy told us about her paper flowers, her business, and her overall philosophy regarding self-investment and the paper flower industry:
Let’s first get to know Wendy!
1. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Mostly from looking at fresh flowers and photographs of floral arrangements on Pinterest. I love artists from the late 19th century like Renoir and Manet.
2. How would you describe your paper flowers and/or aesthetic?
I try to be on the realistic side. I’m still crafting my aesthetic but like the airier arrangements with soft edges.
3. What do you love about making paper flowers?
Seeing the happiness it brings into people’s lives. My business slogan is “Crafted from my heart to yours” and I really mean that.
4. What advice would you give to new paper flower artists?
Don’t undervalue yourself! I’m struggling with that too.
5. What’s your favorite tool and/or material to use?
I would be lost without my wooden handled scribe tool. I utilize both ends depending on what I’m doing. Also, I work almost exclusively with “washed” doublette. I’m always trying new ways to blend the colours for a more natural look.
6. What’s your favorite flower to make?
I don’t have one. But if I could make a David Austin rose, that would be my favorite!
7. What’s one thing you want people to know about paper flowers or the paper florist industry?
That it is not a cheap substitute for fresh flowers!
8. How did you decide to invest in your business, WJM Paper Floral Designs?
It started with The Paper Florists Masterclass. From there, I’ve been working with a branding consultant, which is a fun process because I get to be the client! I am going to an all-day intensive workshop on how to use Instagram to build a business. It includes an audit of my page. I never thought I would have a need for social media as I am not a picture taker nor social. I also found several associations and groups for wedding and event professionals and creatives that I want to be involved in.
I witnessed and learned at the Masterclass that it takes hard work and perseverance to be successful in business. It’s not like opening a car wash where people know what it is and what to expect. The paper florist has to find their clients and make them realize they need our services. The hardest part of that for me is putting myself out there and meeting new people. I am going to a Meet and Greet arranged specifically for wedding and event professionals. This is not something I naturally feel comfortable with, but I know I have to do it to move ahead. I want to show myself the investments paid off!
THANK YOU Wendy for sharing your wonderful story with us. We look forward to following along with you as your artistry and business grow.
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.