How to Start Making Paper Flowers in Nigeria

I have been making Paper flowers for almost a year now and i know how daunting and seemingly impossible it can seem for a newbie with interest to get started. I hope this post will come in handy for such a person and help you find your way in the beautiful and colorful world of paper flowers, moreso in Nigeria where getting crafting supplies can be quite a task. 

I will be sharing what i have learnt in the past few months and will update this post accordingly as i learn more things. Some may wonder why i am so willing to share what may be considered 'trade secrets' by some and the answer is simple-because there is love in sharing. 

Others shared freely their knowledge online to whomever happens to find it so why should i hoard this information? It may change someone's life so that's enough motivation for me to share. 

Ok, enough of me babbling and let's get into it. 

What you need (Tools, Resources & Supplies)

• PC or Laptop (optional initially)
• Internet (optional initially)
• Printer (optional initially)
• Cutting Mat (or any surface that's flat enough for you to trace on and you don't mind getting glue on)
• Sharp Scissors
• Paper
• Pencil and Eraser
• Glue (UHU or whatever you prefer)
• Mounting Tape
• Bone folder (Butter knife or wooden dowel/spoon will suffice)
• Flower Templates (Pinterest, YouTube, etc.)
• Video Tutorials (Pinterest, YouTube, etc.)

Different types of Paper and Sizes

There are different types and weights of paper, i'm not an expert at this so kindly do your own research before purchasing paper. You can ask the person you are buying paper from about the weight (grams) of the paper. The weightier or thicker the paper, the tougher it is to curl or shape but they tend to be sturdier and hold shape longer while the embossed or designed ones can bring some dimension to your craft.

• Tissue Paper
• Crepe Paper
• Printing Paper
• Cardboard Paper {160 grams per square meter (gsm)}
• Cardstock Paper (Embossed , Metallic, Glittery, Glossy, Patterned & Plain)

I mostly use Cardstock Paper for my paper flowers to make them study and occasionally mix them with Cardboard Paper for two-toned flower designs or smaller flowers. 

Where to find Free Templates and Video Tutorials

(Petals and Centers)

There are soooo many free templates and tutorials online, you just have to be willing to search for them and also not limit your search to English. I found quite a number of free templates through Russian and Spanish Channels. I suggest using Pinterest to find these channels and Websites or Google Translate the word 'Paper Flowers' and search. 

Always check that whatever freebies you find are not copyrighted and restricted to only personal use. Its also decent to credit the person you get a design or template from if you can find them on the platform you use to promote your craft.

Here is a list of  some YouTube Channels you can get Free Templates and Video Tutorials from:

• AnyoneCanCraft
• Pearl's Crafts
• CandyTreeBaltimore Erika
• PaoPao Crafts
• Luzkas Creations
• ggpapercreations
• Faithful Designs by Christy
• The Crafty Sagittarius
• Ann Neville Design
• Seattle Giant Flowers
• Country Hill Cottage
• Susideas 
• Beckspapertrail

Stages  of Making Paper Flowers

These are the various stages of making your typical paper flower and depending on the design and style of your flower, you may not have to follow all the stages.

• Tracing template
• Cutting
• Slitting
• Curling & Shaping
• Assembly
• Add a center

Finding Inspiration and designs for Paper Flowers

Pinterest,YouTube and Instagram have been the best places for me to find inspiration and designs to try. They link you to other creators and suggest similar videos to the ones you watch. I suggest checking out related channels or similar posts across these platforms

How to put up Paper Flowers on Different Surfaces

There are different ways to display your paper flowers depending on the surface you are working with. I have listed below a few of the things i use and others i found online,you just have to research a bit on what will work best for the result you want to achieve. Check out this post as well.

• Glue
• Mounting Tape
• Double-sided Tape
• Commando Strips
• Masking Tape or Cellotape (rolled)
• Rope (attached to the back of the paper flower)
• Wire (attached to the back of the paper flower)
• Brooch pins

Uses of Paper Flowers

They have such a varied range of uses but here are a few:

• Events Decoration (Weddings, Parties, Birthdays, Baby Shower, Bridal Shower,etc.)
• House Decoration (especially Baby Nurseries/Rooms)
• Backdrops
• Photoshoots
• Crowns, Bouquets & Corsages
• Props Decoration, etc.

Storing your Paper Flowers

It is important to keep your flowers away from humidity, dust and water in order for them to last long, retain their shape and look good. I mainly focus on displaying them in a dry place and dusting them regularly. you can stoore them as follows:

• In a box (with a cover and wide enough to not deform them)
• In a basket (with a cover and wide enough to not deform them)
• In a bag (with a cover and wide enough to not deform them)
• In a clear polythene bag with a neck sealer (typically used for packing clothes)

Tools that can speed up your creation process

• Cricut Machine 
• Silhouette Machine 
• Fringe Scissors
• Bone Folder
• Scoring Tool
• Quilling Tool (for rolled centers and roses)
• Compass Cutter
• Curved Scissors
• Punches (There are so many different shapes and patterns to choose from especially when making small flowers)

Sizing and Pricing your Paper flowers

I can only tell you what works for me in this regard. I price my flowers based on their sizes and the amount of labour i put into their creation. I size my flowers by using a measuring tape or ruler to measure their diameter in Inches. 

I make all my flowers myself and handcut them while juggling my job and 7month old so it involves more labour and sleepless nights for me and i price them accordingly. However, i give discounts when i get orders for a Set. Some people also prefer to Rent and return. I also charge differently for express/short notice orders.

You can create your own Templates or make complete packages for a particular style of flower(Templates, Center, Mounting Tape, etc) ad sell them for people to make the flowers themselves.

Your pricing is up to you. I would advice you calculate what the different sizes of your paper flowers consume (cardstock, glue, paint, glitter, beads, rhinestone, mounting tape, rope, wire, etc.) and then you can add the cost of your labour which is essentially your profit. If you are doing the delivery and setup, you may want to also charge separately for these services.

How to Market yourself

Social Media is free and you have a wide audience. Use it to your advantage. Take good pictures and Post your work frequently.

• Facebook
• Instagram (Follow me @Mimahcrafts)
• Pinterest
• YouTube

You can display your work at family or friend's events (Weddings, Parties, Birthdays,etc.) for people to see and get interested in ordering them.

You can also use them in styling photoshoots and get free professional pictures to advertise your work.

Tips and Tricks

• Use Sharp Scissors
• PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE (with different papers and different designs)
• Use empty cereal boxes to make Templates for easy tracing
• Trace out the number of templates you need then you can chill and cut them out while watching a movie or series
• Inform your customers of the deadline to order and charges for express orders
• Attend to your orders at least 3-5 days before they are due in order to avoid rushing especially if you do not have a machine 
• Spray-paint to desired color if the color you want is unavailable

If you find this post useful, kindly share and follow me on Instagram @MimahCrafts. I will update it as i learn.

Toodles!XooX

Crafting & DIYs

DIY Paper Flower Backdrop i made (1st attempt ever 😁)

Y'all already know i love planning events, travelling and writing,among other things. I also really enjoy Crafting & DIYs, especially when its Decor-related, in my spare time.

I stumbled on Paper Flowers while planning my friend's Baby Shower (I plan to do an updated post on planning a fun budget friendly baby shower so watch out for that) and that set the ball rolling. I got sucked in via YouTube & Pinterest into the world of paper flowers and there was no getting out. I made some and i fell in love!! Now beautiful paper, cardboard and card stock make me giddy and i go hunting for them. I imagine all the things i can create and get so excited. lol. 

I put up some pics of the Paper Flowers & Diaper Cake i made for my friend's baby shower on my social media and next thing i know i had express orders. 

These are the pieces i made below for a photoshoot and it took me some sleepless nights but i loved the finished products and it was totally worth it.

I'm currently working on the piece below and can't wait to see the finished product.

A huge shoutout to 'Anyone Can Craft' and 'Pearl's Crafts' for being the first to inspire and teach me via YouTube. I have found many other tutorials through them and i keep practising, experimenting and creating. I have been able to get tools (still on the hunt for more) to make my creative process easier and i'm trying other things as well. Practice makes Perfect.

I'm grateful that practically all my interests and hobbies have been lucrative in one form or the other. even this blog. This is my current obsession & has been part of the reason i have been off here for a bit (forgive me) as its quite time consuming, especially with a full-time job and other extracurricular activities.

Don't be scared to try new things and put yourself out there, you never know where it'll lead you. 

The world is your oyster. Happy Crafting!!

Toodles!XooX

It's a Batch wedding!

You all know how much i love weddings, well at least from the number of posts i'v put up here related to weddings, you have a good idea! It is quite apparent and if you did not know before i have said it now o. I started out this year with only 3 weddings in view and now i have one to attend for every month from now till November, i know December go soon join in!!I have already attended one in January (was a bridesmaid), one in February, one in March, one in April (was a bridesmaid) and one in June, so i have only been free of attending a wedding in May!I am certain in another life that i am a wedding planner, i should count my bridesmaid dresses also, e go don pass 27 o!lol. Forgive me though as i digress, this post is about a batch wedding i attended in Kaduna last weekend.

The 3 couples

me humble self

3 couples got married in the church at the same time, it was a new experience for me although my friends said a couple of big churches or parishes do it so more of their members can get married in the church. The 3 different couples had their individual sets of Bridesmaids and groomsmen, the groomsmen were just for decoration and pictures though and maybe to dance in with the couple at the reception venue. These were the colors 1^st couple-Peach and Turquoise (the couple I was attending for, their bridal train had the nicest oufit) 2^nd couple-red and gold 3^rd couple-Olive green and all the bridesmaids sat together opposite the couples on the stage. The grooms stood on the stage with one empty seat beside them, the pastor said a prayer and the service began promptly at 10am, the choir began singing, the brides danced in with their fathers on their arm and their train behind them one after the other (the dance was very brief as it was not just 1couple to be joined) before they joined their individual grooms on the altar. There was a brief admonition to the crowd and it was time to join the couples, they were joined one after the other, the fathers came on stage separately when it was the turn of their daughters to confirm they were the ones giving them away, vows were read, rings exchanged, photographs taken and everyone took their seats. After this, there was a super long sermon (I was asleep so I have no idea what was preached), I woke up just in time for the couples to sign the marriage register one after the other and show off their marriage certificates to the crowd, as this was ongoing, offering baskets were being passed around. I left the church after dropping my offering and went into the car to receive some AC and charge my phone. The service finished about 15mins later and we went down to the reception venue. 

It was a nice venue, or so i thought at first glance (green grass, creeping green grass on some of the walls and a water fountain although without water) although they had made no provision for parking so people had to park on the roadside. I entered the area reserved for us and that was when I saw it!!! The décor was tacky and dirty, the t! absolutely no effort had been put into it, it was an eyesore, if not for the couple and my fiancé I was with, I would have left for home after I saw an insect crawling up one of the chairs (not just any insect o, but the famous black&orange skirt and blouse insect that scars u with its toxins if it climbs your skin, especially if you mistakenly try to kill it). The chair and table covers where white and visibly dirty, the satin decoration looked like it had been pulled out of a cup, there was a vase on a couple of tables filled with water and multicolored gels that made me just want to puke! The stage arrangement was rubbish, the high table was placed behind the couple so the parents of the couple who happened to be seated there were watching the chair the couple sat on throughout the event! I stayed however and as I looked around it dawned on me that the venue probably came with decoration, most of these places came with a package deal when you want to rent them, which was the explanation for why they could not be bothered to make the place look nice, or at the very least CLEAN!

The MC did not help matters either making drab jokes (“no dancing of dt asotob (azonto) dance that makes you look crippled here or our security agents will arrest you”  and how a section with a ribbon around it to show it was reserved for guests made them look like cultists and that they were in bondage!! *rme) and absolutely un-entertaining (he was from the church). He made the best man read out the order of photographs so the poor guy only managed to appear in one pic. The music was boring, the church said no secular naija jamz, strictly Christian music, then why not make a selection that the guests can dance to. The only ones played that were a bit nice and that I recognized were Olo mi-tosin martins, Oruka-Sunny nneji, Igwe-Midnight crew and Wifey-Eldee.

They banned spraying of the couples!! One red cap chief that came around ended up spraying the guests who swiftly put the money in their bags. Nigerians are not fans of dropping money in trays, they need that band/dj to make their head swell with music that they just throw money in the air. Couples make a lot of money from this at weddings. It can be naira, dollar, pounds, just name the currency, as long as the music dey enter brain, they will stand up and spray. Enveloped money and dropping money in trays just don’t work. The food was ok, jollof rice, moi-moi and beef. It did not stop me from having goatmeat peppersoup when I got home though.

It was over in an hour and a bit and some woman came to talk about women empowerment for widows, singles etc (really!! Talking about widowhood @ a wedding!!*smh)

I don’t subscribe to the batch wedding though, I mean this day is going to happen only once in my life, so I don’t see why I should share any moment of it with anyone, I want a slow and steady walk down the aisle, not a rushed one. This is one day I want it to be all about me and my man. If you are using a green area for your reception, I advice you get someone to spray the grass with a pesticide before the event so your guests are not itching under the table.

As for the superlong preaching, that thing dey tire me and most guest I believe, would it kill to keep it brief and straight to the point?!don’t bring your own family issues into it, in the name of advice to the newly weds biko!we don do marriage counselling already, we don’t need another long session during the wedding ceremony. Left to me I will jst get a minister to do the ceremony and join us at the same venue as the reception. Brief and straight to the point, and people will move to the reception area from there,enjoy themselves and not have to drive or be stressed locating the reception venue. After eating, dancing and being entertained, everyone one goes home happy with their quality souvenirs (not dunlop slippers o!). It all boils down to planning at the end of the day. 

Toodles!XooX