June 30 2020 - My Journey to Becoming a Paper Flower Artist

Hello,
I hope this post finds you well!
Welcome to my Blog on 'Paper Flowers'.

My name is Nodlaig Caffrey and I live in Co. Wicklow along with my husband and four children.

I thought that I would share with you how I came to become a paper flower artist in this first post, because I think that it's worth mentioning that I never dreamed that I would become a crafter let alone start my own craft business. I don't have an art, design or floristry background, but like many I am a lover of both flowers and art! Languages were always my true passion, so I think it's true to say that I have always enjoyed being creative in one way or another.

Back in 2009 when I took voluntary redundancy from my full time job to become a stay-at-home mum, I always had the belief and hope that one day I would return to the workforce. It was then years later in 2015, after watching a Martha Stewart paper flower demonstration one afternoon, when my love affair with paper flowers actually began. Of course the first few flowers I made didn't turn out anything like I had hoped (they most definitely ended up in the bin alongside many others), but it was the first of many steps I would take to learn the craft of paper flowers and it was followed closely by many late nights, months and even years of learning and experimentation.

When I first started to reach out to potential customers and businesses with my work I found it quite daunting after being out of the workforce for so long. Without the overwhelming support and encouragement from my husband, family and friends, I wouldn't have been able to take a leap of faith in myself and 'go for it' and I'm very glad I did! Each small step along the way has helped me get to where I am today - I am doing what I love and I am connecting with some fantastic people and businesses along the way too! 

Finally, if you were to ask me how I describe my creations then the expression "Go Big or Go Home" comes to mind! I love being inspired by nature and then using that along with the inspiration around me to create colourful, giant  'Alice in Wonderland' type floral bouquets and wall features. I'm always super excited when clients come to me with their floral visions (big or small) and then working closely together with them to bring their visions to life - that's when creativity flows and the real fun begins!

Thanks for reading!
Nodlaig