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It’s impossible to share my story without honoring the journey of my parents, whose unwavering resilience has shaped every part of who I am today. Born in South Vietnam, my early life was marked by a harrowing escape from a war-torn country. As some of the Boat People who fled in 1978, my family and I faced unimaginable hardships — including pirates, storms and the constant uncertainty of survival. We found refuge in America, where I grew up as a quiet, introverted child in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
My childhood memories of our transition to this new land are blurred, but the lessons my parents instilled in me remain crystal clear. They worked tirelessly, often holding multiple jobs to provide for us; and in their silent, steadfast way, they taught me the values of hard work, resilience and humility. In our close-knit family of six, where responsibilities were shared and expectations were high, I learned to find joy in the simplest things.
Those early lessons became my anchor as I navigated the challenges of blending into a new culture and language. My world may have been small, centered around my family and our modest home, but it was rich with meaning and love.
It wasn’t until many years later that I found my true passion in paper flowers and established Pink and Posey. Creating a paper flower business has felt like a return to those simpler times — a way to channel the quiet joy of making something tangible and beautiful, just as I did as a child. It was a struggle, a journey of self-discovery and perseverance.
Once I started making paper flowers and realized that small orders alone weren’t enough to sustain me, I spent long days creating hundreds of flowers to fulfill client orders. The repetitive motions and long hours made me worry about putting too much strain on my body, but my love for the craft kept me going. Despite the physical challenges, every flower I create brings me back to a place of contentment.
My parents dreamed of me pursuing a more steady job like accounting, but I followed my own dream. In doing so, I’ve found a way to express the values they taught me in a new and deeply personal way. Each flower I create is a testament to their strength, and the quiet joy that has always been at the heart of my life. It’s also a reflection of my journey — one that honors their legacy while embracing my unique creative path.
Creating a paper flower begins long before I touch a piece of crepe paper. There’s something magical about watching flowers grow through all seasons, observing the unique details: the curve of a petal, the texture of a leaf, the way sunlight plays on their surfaces. Hours are spent noting the subtle changes as each flower matures, and understanding how these transformations contribute to its overall appearance day by day.
A key component of recreating a flower in paper is understanding its individual parts. Understanding their functions and how they come together to form the whole is important. Every element plays a crucial role, from the sepals that protect the budding bloom to the delicate stamens and pistils. For instance, the bract — often mistaken for a petal — is a modified leaf that is sometimes more colorful and eye-catching than the petals themselves. Understanding these distinctions is essential to accurately replicating a flower in crepe paper.
The process isn’t just about the flower’s appearance; it’s about capturing its essence. Depicting how a petal curls at the edges, or the subtle gradation of color from the center to the tip, requires a deep understanding of the flower’s anatomy. To achieve this, I often dissect real flowers, carefully examining each part and how they fit together. This hands-on study allows me to see beyond the surface to appreciate the complexity of natural forms and to translate that into my work.
While accuracy is important in my work, so is the emotional response it evokes. My goal isn’t to create an exact replica but to capture the spirit of the flower — its vibrancy, elegance and quiet beauty. This often involves choosing which details to emphasize and which to simplify, ensuring the final creation feels true to life and artistically inspired.
This meticulous process is where my passion for flowers truly shines. It’s a blend of science and art, observation and imagination. The act of creating a paper flower is one of constant learning and discovery. Each new flower is a challenge, an opportunity to push the boundaries of my craft and explore the endless possibilities that paper offers.
When I can’t find the specific flower I’m seeking, I turn to botanical illustrations and online images, meticulously gathering visual references. This research phase is crucial; it’s where I dissect each flower in my mind, noting the subtle nuances that make it distinct. I focus on the color gradients, how petals layer, and the intricate details like stamens and pistils that bring the flower to life. Sometimes, even with all the research, there’s no substitute for seeing a flower in person. That’s when I head to the local farmers market or flower farm. It’s where I can study the flowers, take them apart, and figure out how to put them back together again in paper form.
Back in my studio, the real work begins. Armed with a wealth of reference material, I translate these blooms into paper. Every cut and coloring made to the petals captures the look and soul of the flower. It’s a process that demands precision and creativity as I strive to bring my vision to life. Sometimes, this means experimenting with different crepe paper weights or techniques to achieve the desired effect.
I have been incredibly blessed to work with so many wonderful clients, each bringing their own unique story and vision to life through the art of paper flowers. Whether crafting a bride’s bouquet that symbolizes her special day or recreating it a year later for a spouse wanting to honor their first anniversary, these projects have allowed me to be part of many cherished moments. My work has found its way into the hands of companies seeking to brighten their workspaces and luxury brands looking to add a special touch to their in-store displays, social media campaigns and magazine spreads.
My work extends beyond capturing moments of personal significance and is a powerful medium for conveying deeper messages. I was honored to contribute to Greenwood Rising in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the Send Flowers to Greenwood project. I created a free lily tutorial and rallied my paper flower community to make and send hundreds of paper flowers to Tulsa. These lilies symbolize the resilience and rich history of a community that has endured tremendous and horrible challenges.
As I move forward, I am committed to taking my floral pieces to new heights, using them to celebrate personal moments and bring attention to significant cultural and social messages.
Beyond the joy of creating these paper flower pieces, my heart lies in building and nurturing a supportive community for paper florists. I’m deeply passionate about helping other artists find their voice and letting them know they are not alone on this creative journey. The Paper Talk podcast I co-host with Jessie Chui and Sara Kim has become a space where paper artists from around the world can share their stories, struggles and triumphs. Hearing how others have found joy and purpose in creating paper flowers fills me with a sense of connection and pride. It’s heartwarming to know that our podcast reaches listeners across Asia, Europe, Latin America and beyond, showing that this art form isn’t just a trend — it’s a growing, global movement here to stay.
As I continue to grow my art, I am excited to offer fine art commissions to museums and create one-of-a-kind pieces that push the boundaries of what paper flowers can be. I am passionate about advocating for the important place that faux, paper, and silk flowers have in the floral industry. Whether through art installations or by taking the stage to share this message, I am committed to elevating paper flowers as a respected and vital art form.
One of the things that gives me the most fulfillment is helping other artists grow their businesses and achieve their dreams. That’s why I created a program called Paper to Profits, a 10-week course designed to dive deep into the business side of creativity. I’ve seen so many artists transform their passion into thriving businesses through this program, and it’s an honor to be part of that journey. We’re eagerly preparing to relaunch Paper to Profits in the spring, and I can’t wait to help even more creatives turn their dreams into reality.
Teaching has always been a calling for me, and I was over the moon when I was asked to write a how-to book on creating paper flowers. This book is more than just a collection of techniques — it’s a piece of my heart, a way to share the love and joy I’ve found in this art form with others. I hope that through this book, The New Art of Paper Flowers, others will discover the same beauty and quiet joy that creating paper flowers has brought to my life.
Nothing is more rewarding than knowing I can inspire others to find their joy in this craft.
It’s impossible to share my story without honoring the journey of my parents, whose unwavering resilience has shaped every part of who I am today. Born in South Vietnam, my early life was marked by a harrowing escape from a war-torn country. As some of the Boat People who fled in 1978, my family and I faced unimaginable hardships — including pirates, storms and the constant uncertainty of survival. We found refuge in America, where I grew up as a quiet, introverted child in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
My childhood memories of our transition to this new land are blurred, but the lessons my parents instilled in me remain crystal clear. They worked tirelessly, often holding multiple jobs to provide for us; and in their silent, steadfast way, they taught me the values of hard work, resilience and humility. In our close-knit family of six, where responsibilities were shared and expectations were high, I learned to find joy in the simplest things.
Those early lessons became my anchor as I navigated the challenges of blending into a new culture and language. My world may have been small, centered around my family and our modest home, but it was rich with meaning and love.
It wasn’t until many years later that I found my true passion in paper flowers and established Pink and Posey. Creating a paper flower business has felt like a return to those simpler times — a way to channel the quiet joy of making something tangible and beautiful, just as I did as a child. It was a struggle, a journey of self-discovery and perseverance.
Once I started making paper flowers and realized that small orders alone weren’t enough to sustain me, I spent long days creating hundreds of flowers to fulfill client orders. The repetitive motions and long hours made me worry about putting too much strain on my body, but my love for the craft kept me going. Despite the physical challenges, every flower I create brings me back to a place of contentment.
My parents dreamed of me pursuing a more steady job like accounting, but I followed my own dream. In doing so, I’ve found a way to express the values they taught me in a new and deeply personal way. Each flower I create is a testament to their strength, and the quiet joy that has always been at the heart of my life. It’s also a reflection of my journey — one that honors their legacy while embracing my unique creative path.
Creating a paper flower begins long before I touch a piece of crepe paper. There’s something magical about watching flowers grow through all seasons, observing the unique details: the curve of a petal, the texture of a leaf, the way sunlight plays on their surfaces. Hours are spent noting the subtle changes as each flower matures, and understanding how these transformations contribute to its overall appearance day by day.
A key component of recreating a flower in paper is understanding its individual parts. Understanding their functions and how they come together to form the whole is important. Every element plays a crucial role, from the sepals that protect the budding bloom to the delicate stamens and pistils. For instance, the bract — often mistaken for a petal — is a modified leaf that is sometimes more colorful and eye-catching than the petals themselves. Understanding these distinctions is essential to accurately replicating a flower in crepe paper.
The process isn’t just about the flower’s appearance; it’s about capturing its essence. Depicting how a petal curls at the edges, or the subtle gradation of color from the center to the tip, requires a deep understanding of the flower’s anatomy. To achieve this, I often dissect real flowers, carefully examining each part and how they fit together. This hands-on study allows me to see beyond the surface to appreciate the complexity of natural forms and to translate that into my work.
While accuracy is important in my work, so is the emotional response it evokes. My goal isn’t to create an exact replica but to capture the spirit of the flower — its vibrancy, elegance and quiet beauty. This often involves choosing which details to emphasize and which to simplify, ensuring the final creation feels true to life and artistically inspired.
This meticulous process is where my passion for flowers truly shines. It’s a blend of science and art, observation and imagination. The act of creating a paper flower is one of constant learning and discovery. Each new flower is a challenge, an opportunity to push the boundaries of my craft and explore the endless possibilities that paper offers.
When I can’t find the specific flower I’m seeking, I turn to botanical illustrations and online images, meticulously gathering visual references. This research phase is crucial; it’s where I dissect each flower in my mind, noting the subtle nuances that make it distinct. I focus on the color gradients, how petals layer, and the intricate details like stamens and pistils that bring the flower to life. Sometimes, even with all the research, there’s no substitute for seeing a flower in person. That’s when I head to the local farmers market or flower farm. It’s where I can study the flowers, take them apart, and figure out how to put them back together again in paper form.
Back in my studio, the real work begins. Armed with a wealth of reference material, I translate these blooms into paper. Every cut and coloring made to the petals captures the look and soul of the flower. It’s a process that demands precision and creativity as I strive to bring my vision to life. Sometimes, this means experimenting with different crepe paper weights or techniques to achieve the desired effect.
I have been incredibly blessed to work with so many wonderful clients, each bringing their own unique story and vision to life through the art of paper flowers. Whether crafting a bride’s bouquet that symbolizes her special day or recreating it a year later for a spouse wanting to honor their first anniversary, these projects have allowed me to be part of many cherished moments. My work has found its way into the hands of companies seeking to brighten their workspaces and luxury brands looking to add a special touch to their in-store displays, social media campaigns and magazine spreads.
My work extends beyond capturing moments of personal significance and is a powerful medium for conveying deeper messages. I was honored to contribute to Greenwood Rising in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the Send Flowers to Greenwood project. I created a free lily tutorial and rallied my paper flower community to make and send hundreds of paper flowers to Tulsa. These lilies symbolize the resilience and rich history of a community that has endured tremendous and horrible challenges.
As I move forward, I am committed to taking my floral pieces to new heights, using them to celebrate personal moments and bring attention to significant cultural and social messages.
Beyond the joy of creating these paper flower pieces, my heart lies in building and nurturing a supportive community for paper florists. I’m deeply passionate about helping other artists find their voice and letting them know they are not alone on this creative journey. The Paper Talk podcast I co-host with Jessie Chui and Sara Kim has become a space where paper artists from around the world can share their stories, struggles and triumphs. Hearing how others have found joy and purpose in creating paper flowers fills me with a sense of connection and pride. It’s heartwarming to know that our podcast reaches listeners across Asia, Europe, Latin America and beyond, showing that this art form isn’t just a trend — it’s a growing, global movement here to stay.
As I continue to grow my art, I am excited to offer fine art commissions to museums and create one-of-a-kind pieces that push the boundaries of what paper flowers can be. I am passionate about advocating for the important place that faux, paper, and silk flowers have in the floral industry. Whether through art installations or by taking the stage to share this message, I am committed to elevating paper flowers as a respected and vital art form.
One of the things that gives me the most fulfillment is helping other artists grow their businesses and achieve their dreams. That’s why I created a program called Paper to Profits, a 10-week course designed to dive deep into the business side of creativity. I’ve seen so many artists transform their passion into thriving businesses through this program, and it’s an honor to be part of that journey. We’re eagerly preparing to relaunch Paper to Profits in the spring, and I can’t wait to help even more creatives turn their dreams into reality.
Teaching has always been a calling for me, and I was over the moon when I was asked to write a how-to book on creating paper flowers. This book is more than just a collection of techniques — it’s a piece of my heart, a way to share the love and joy I’ve found in this art form with others. I hope that through this book, The New Art of Paper Flowers, others will discover the same beauty and quiet joy that creating paper flowers has brought to my life.
Nothing is more rewarding than knowing I can inspire others to find their joy in this craft.
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