Business is blooming for Floragami
Meet Meg, the Founder of Floragami, a paper based events and workshop company
A: Who are you and what do you do?
M: Hi I’m Meg, the founder and owner of Floragami. I make realistic paper flowers and teach the art of paper flower making through relaxed and engaging workshops both from my home in Norwich and other venues around Norfolk and Suffolk. The workshops are designed to be accessible to everyone from absolute beginners, to experienced artists and everyone takes home a beautiful paper flower they have made. I do both public workshops and private ones for groups of friends wanting to celebrate an occasion like a birthday or hen party. I also offer corporate workshops for businesses looking for creative team building activities and take commissions for specific flowers.
Run us through why you started Floragami...
From an early age, paper has always been the focus of my art, but it’s only ever been a hobby. After coming across a book written by American paper flower artist Tiffany Turner I fell in love with it and devoured everything I could about the art of paper flower making. I spent hours watching YouTube videos, bought more books, and scoured Instagram for images and tutorials, teaching myself as I went. Most importantly I learned from the flowers growing in my garden. I would choose a bloom, take it apart, and study every bit of the flower, making templates of all the different parts. I would then cut each piece from hand-dyed crepe papers and reconstruct it to make my own delicate paper version.
What started as a hobby rapidly evolved into an all-consuming passion and after continual prompts from friends telling me I should be teaching this to others, I took a leap of faith and started Floragami.
I absolutely love it and its the best job I have ever had!
The workshops are designed to bring people together, offering a few hours of creative rejuvenation and joy. It’s a real delight to teach, watching the stresses of the day melt away as people cut and shape their petals. There is a magical moment when all the different parts suddenly come together to become a flower, and the person falls in love with what they have made.
What’s in store for the future?
I have lots of workshops booked in for the remainder of 2024 with more to come and ideas forming for 2025 but nothing firmed up yet. I’m working on a 6 week course of paper flower making for people wanting to learn more in depth.
My dream is to run a residential event over a few days with workshops and visits to amazing local gardens…. watch this space… We are currently renovating our house with my business in mind so that we can offer the house and garden for events and workshops. I love collaborating with others. I’d also like to have a small online shop selling kits and tools needed to make the flowers, but I need a website first!
Where’s your favourite place to visit in Norfolk and why?
I’m happiest in my garden enjoying the flowers. I’m not a very good gardener but I really enjoy having a go and pulling weeds is very relaxing!
I lived in Australia for 17 years but Norfolk is home for me, the changing seasons, the coast and the little winding roads that bring you out somewhere you didn’t know existed. I’m also partial to a good coffee and love going into Norwich to get my cafe fix at somewhere like Bread Source or Kofra on Upper St Giles which is my favourite street in town.
@floragami.paperflower
This interview was published as part of a paid collaboration within our printed newspaper.