The Blossoming Paper Florist

Not only did the pandemic of Covid virus 19 put a pause on most of our lives around the world but it also lit a spark in some of us, such as myself, to start something that they’ve been afraid to start. I’ve always been a creative person and have always loved colorful pretty things. So when I started seeing a surge of paper floral artists on Instagram, something stirred in me! I could do that! I’m going to do that. So I decided that I was going to start a paper floral business too.

Now how was I gonna get this started? My life is chaotic as is. Not only were we dealing with the pandemic, raising a 14 and a 2 year, old, working with my mom cleaning apartments and business offices but we were in the very city where George Floyd had been killed. Questions about whether or not this was the right time to start anything and or when would things get back to normal crept into my mind. Self doubt can be very crippling! These are just a few examples of my inner thoughts telling me to not get started. But I told myself since I’m on furlough from my other job and do the cleaning job in the evening, why not? I could just start making flowers for now.I could get to the business part later. I mean, I have tons of cardstock for now anyways! If I needed anything I would just have to put it on the list of things to get since most stores like Michael’s or Joann Fabrics weren’t open yet.

So when I could steal some time away from my husband and the kids, I would spend as much time as I could with my paper templates and my scissors. Believe me, tracing floral shapes and using my Fiskars scissors oh so carefully to create a beautiful 3D flower takes hours! But I love it! I brings me lots of internal satisfaction knowing I’m creating something that someone will find beautiful. As well as being able to have a piece of art that will never wither away.

When I began I made a few flowers for friends. Something from me to them. Something to make them cheerful in these stressful times. Then I thought maybe I could make a floral backdrop. Eventually when we get to some normalcy again; I could make decorations for weddings, graduation, baby showers, etc. People would need my backdrop to decorate their celebrations. I made a half backdrop filled with sunflowers. That was challenging! Hopefully one day I could make a full one (10x10). That would be a dream come true.

As time has passed, things have slowly started to move forward. Although my business isn’t in full affect but I have started to get a few things going. I started my business page on Instagram. Garden_party_boutique. With the coaxing of a friend I did a contest at Northtown mall for the Spring Parasol contest. The theme was obviously “spring .” They would be hung upside down to show the artwork. I turned mine into a large blooming flower. And although I didn’t win the contest. I was proud to have something I made hanging in the mall for all to see! Recently I started making smaller flowers and putting them in shadow boxes artwork to buy. I’ve gotten a lot of clients from my shadow boxes. A few weeks ago my best friend and I were able to sell our different wares at a market for small businesses at an outdoor market. Her, with her gorgeous African fabrics and me with my shadow boxes. In July we’ll be doing another one and I can’t wait. Things like that give my confidence a boost to keep striving no matter what!!

Funny thing, I think if the pandemic hadn’t happened I probably wouldn’t have desired as much to get going on this journey. I’m a good worker and I take pride in what I do but I’ve always wanted in the back of my mind to do something that shows who I am. Something I can do at home where I can be with my kids and they can see mommy doing what she’s passionate about! One day soon , I pray my business will get busier and I’ll be able to not only make a profit from my flowers but I’ll be doing a job that I truly love and making others happy.