Crepe Paper Flower are a beautiful and timeless craft to bring spring into your home and no one does it quite like Ji Kim of Blooms in the Air.
Ji crafts a little bit of her love into each petal she sculpts and it’s evident in her magical creations. Today Ji is answering a few questions about her art and sharing her own personal process for making Crepe Paper Peonies, her favorite bloom.
Q: How long have you been making paper flowers?
Ji: Three years.
Q: How did you first discover your love for paper flower making?
Ji: It was definitely a discovery through a series of events. Our most recent economic recession made me rediscover how satisfying it is for me to craft using my own two hands. It made me remember why I fell in love with architecture and how happy I am when I’m a maker. Then discovering a vintage book and high quality crepe paper, through a friend who I call my craft guru, Robert Mahar, was the beginning of an very satisfying and gratifying chapter of my life.
Q: What is your favorite bloom to make?
Ji: Peonies. It is the first flower that came to me as a challenge and it taught me a lot. I have a wreath full of failed peonies. Therefore, sculpting that fullness in each petal speaks a lot to me every time I make it.
Q: Is Blooms in the Air your full time job?
Ji: No, I’m a full time architectural designer and blooms in the air is a great counter balancing partner.
Q: What is your advice for other makers who want to make their craft into a business?
Ji: To be very clear about why you craft what you craft. Most of us start crafting and continue to craft because of personal reasons and simply because we love it. I personally don’t think that is enough. Knowing why you love it and why you know your craft is worth all that hard work can really help make decisions that is right for you and your business. I think it is the fastest way to sort out and prioritize all those inner desires and exterior demands. It will help you stop comparing yourself with other amazingly successful creative individuals/brands and allow yourself and your business to proudly grow into it’s own character/brand.
Q: What is your dream project?
Ji: I dream to have an atypical, exceptionally positive and ever evolving creative project.
For Ji's step by step instructions on "How to Make a Crepe Paper Peony" continue reading...
You can download a PDF of Ji's flower making directions right here and follow the step by step photos below.
Step 1: Fringe Center
Step 2: Petal Sculpting
Step 3: Leaves and Stem
Step 4: Peony Building
Evelyn Theus says
OMG!!What amazing flowers. They are as perfect as real flowers. I am really impressed.
Greetings
Evelyn
Leah Bergman says
Aren't they gorgeous?! I was literally in awe watching Ji make them.
Jacquelyn | lark & linen says
I'm VERY excited about this series!! And oh my gosh these paper flowers are so dreamy. Beyond impressive!
Leah Bergman says
Thanks Jacquelyn! I'm excited that YOU are excited. There are so many talented ladies and gents out there making beautiful things but Ji simply blew me away.
Ji says
eeeeek~ Thank you Leah & Joanne!!!
Ann says
Ji is AMAZING! She's the sweetest friend & so incredibly talented. I'm so happy to have her paper blooms in my studio. So happy to see her featured here!
Leah Bergman says
I had no idea that you two were friends! She really is the sweetest. What a small world. 🙂
Marisa says
SO SO gorgeous!!! I'm obsessed with these!!!
Leah Bergman says
You and me both! I want to fill my house with Ji's blooms.
confettigrey says
These are SO gorgeous - they look nothing like I could pull off though haha!
I am so excited about this series!!
Leah Bergman says
With a little practice I bet you and I could get pretty good at this! Ji is a master but they were easier than they look. 😉
[email protected] AtHomeinLove says
OMG…those peonies are GORGEOUS!!!!! I am pretty sure mine would turn out nowhere near as pretty, but I’m inspired to try nonetheless!
Leah Bergman says
I'm sure they would be beautiful! I hope you will give it a try. 😉
Nash Khan says
OMG SO SO SO SO prettttyyyyyyy!
Leah Bergman says
I completely agree!
shibangdesigns says
These are stunning and the photographs capture the process so beautifully.
Tammy says
Such a cool series! Ji and her art are stunning!
LindsayB says
Beautiful! Do you have a source for purchasing quality crepe paper?
Erin says
These are breathtaking!
Lina Alicia says
This is the most beautiful DIY ever!!! I am absolutely amazed to watch her create these beautiful flowers step-by-step...omg. Thank you for sharing!
coby tynsky says
a beautiful young woman with exceptional talent!
Dhanya Rajendran says
beautiful...dear