How a layered paper-flower card comes together
People pick up our flower cards at markets, turn them over, and ask the same question: "Wait, is this all paper?" It is. Every petal, every leaf, every little curl. Here's roughly how one comes together.
1. Choosing the colours
We start with the person, not the paper. Who's it for, what's the occasion, what colours do they love? A birthday card for someone bold might be red, orange and gold. A sympathy card might be soft cream and sage. We pull five or six papers and lay them side by side until they look right together.
2. Cutting the petals
Each flower is made from several layers of petals, cut from flat sheets. A single bloom can use three or four layers, each slightly smaller than the last. A card with a full border of flowers can have well over a hundred pieces before anything is glued down.
3. Shaping them
Flat petals look flat, so each one gets shaped. Some are curled around a thin tool, some are scored down the middle so they fold slightly, some are cupped so the flower opens up. This is the step that turns a paper cut-out into something that looks like it's growing off the card.
4. Layering
The layers go together from the back to the front: the largest petals first, then smaller ones on top, turned a little each time so the petals don't line up. A centre goes in last. Then the flowers are arranged on the card with leaves tucked in between, and moved around a lot before anything is glued for good.
5. The panels and frame
While flowers are drying, the card itself gets built: an embossed panel for texture, a gold or filigree frame, edges that are torn or cut in a pattern. On holiday cards this is where a layered tree or little wrapped presents come in.
6. Lettering last
The message goes in at the end, by hand, in ink. We letter it last on purpose: by then the card has its personality, and the script can match it. Flowing and formal for an anniversary, bolder for a birthday, softer for a sympathy note.
7. The hidden extra
If the card is getting a tap memory, a small tag goes behind one of the panels where you'd never notice it. Hold a phone to that spot and the person's page opens: photos, a video, a voice message. The card still works perfectly as a card without it.
How long does it take?
A simple card can be done in an afternoon. A full flower border with a long hand-lettered message can take most of a day, spread across a couple of sittings while glue dries. That's why we ask for a little notice, especially around the holidays.
If you'd like one made for someone, tell us who it's for and the colours they love. We'll take it from there.
Want a card made by hand?
Tell us a little and we'll reply on WhatsApp, usually the same day.
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