Simone creates lifelike flowers of crepe paper

Everlasting flowers. The beautiful paper flowers last forever and add personality to the home in the company of a nice vase.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 8

How did your interest for making crepe paper flowers begin?

It started during Christmas 2019 when I was making some Christmas decorations with crepe paper flowers at my mother's. A half year later, I saw the result once again and was not completely satisfied. It gave me the desire to try some new ones, and since then, I have now and then made some flowers for gifts or used them as a part of the gift-wrapping. My interest really blossomed during Covid-19, where I also started my own Instagram profile. Here, I found the time to immerse myself and improve my skills further.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 13

Creative corner for children | Søstrene Grene

In full bloom. With crepe paper, colourful bouquets can bloom in the home all year, as they do in Simone's living room.

What do you like about making crepe paper flowers?

I enjoy completely unwinding and immersing myself in the flowers. You can get to a complete zen feeling when you are in the midst of it. The play with shapes and colours is enormously rewarding and almost meditative. I can work on a project for hours, and sometimes I listen to podcasts at the same time. Generally, I really enjoy making crepe paper flowers – it is a hobby project, and I do it because I really like to sit down and immerse myself in each individual flower.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 3

The right tools. Each flower starts with the right set of supplies. Amongst other things, Simone uses metal wire, glue, dry pastels, good scissors, stamens, pliers, and of course crepe paper.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 16

Made with love. It is important to give the flower petals love. Simone has taken care of every little detail, and it pays off when you look at the finished result.

Where do you find inspiration?

The inspiration for a new project can arise from different places. Sometimes it emerges on a walk where I see some nice flowers. It can also be on the nearby market where I see a cool colour combination which inspires me. Sometimes it is also through my work as a Surface Designer that a beautiful floral pattern provides inspiration.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 11

How is your process when you make paper flowers?

First, I decide on the colours and then I decide on the size of the flowers. It may be that I would like to make some big and some small flowers and perhaps some medium-sized. Sometimes I want to make a more lifelike flower, but other times – and most often – I make the flowers based on free imagination. Other times it can also be the seasonality that inspires me to make a particular project, such as Easter flowers or decorations.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 5

Favourite plant. Simone loves strawberries and naturally, she has made both a strawberry plant of crepe paper and recently these summery napkin rings.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 4

The little details. Whether it concerns shaping a flower petal just right, so it looks natural, or it is the little, characteristic dots on a strawberry, Simone always takes the necessary time to bring all the little details to life.

What do you use the flowers for?

Some flowers I have kept myself. A fresh flower bouquet does not last that long, and then you can get a bouquet of crepe paper flowers in just the colours that you like. And choose yourself if it should be one big flower or a bouquet of some smaller flowers. In my own interior décor, I use the flowers in bouquets or at parties where I decorate a little extra. They can also function as small surprises in the home décor. I have given some to friends or family and sold some at markets or through my Instagram profile. Over time, I think I have made about a couple hundred flowers, so it is great to know that they can bring joy somewhere else.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 18

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 12

Lifelike. The characteristic butterfly clover has been given soil and looks almost lifelike in Simone's windowsill.

Which project are you most proud of?

I once made a mobile for my friend's daughter with different flowers back in 2020. It was a project that I used a lot of time thinking about, and the result was definitely worth it. I am also very happy about my project with a strawberry plant in the style of the napkin rings. It started as a spring project, just before the Covid-19 social distancing was coming to an end. I generally like strawberries and strawberry plants very much, so it was quite a personal project for me. My next project is sweet peas – I love the beautiful shape of the flower and the lovely spirals on the plant. I actually think it is difficult to make something lifelike, because it cannot be as beautiful as nature. But it is also fun to try to make it look as close to nature as possible and challenge myself by making some of the flowers and plants I like the most.

Sostrene Grene Interview Simone Creates Lifelike Flowers Of Crepe Paper 1

Small surprises. On Simone's rack filled with selected cups and bowls, a fine ranunculus emerges as a surprising and at the same time incorporated element.

I would recommend following others who make crepe paper flowers on Instagram and share their process. You can also find a lot of inspiration and ideas in videos on YouTube and Pinterest.

In the beginning it can be an advantage not to think too much about the process, but just throwing yourself into it. Try out a lot of different things and explore through the process. It may well take several tries, which leads us to the next tip.

As cliché as it may sound, practice makes perfect. Making crepe paper flowers and achieving a nice result not least, takes time. I have developed my expression over time and can see the difference between the projects I did years ago to today where they have become more detailed.

Metal wire in different lengths and thicknesses Crepe paper in different thicknesses Cotton balls Glue stick School glue Dry pastels Watercolour paint Scissors Stamens Pliers (flat-nose pliers, side-cutting pliers, etc.)

önnur gallerí