How to Make a Paper Flower

I am pretty much in love with everything from West Elm.  Their style and esthetic is modern yet chic. A few years ago I saw the below paper flowers.  Of course, I looked at the price tag and thought “Really, for paper??”.  So, I took inspiration from West Elm and created my version of their paper flowers.  These are a fun DIY to add to an empty vase you have that’s in need of some no maintenance flowers! 

{Photo credit: West Elm}

Supplies:

– Trader Joe’s bag

– Acrylic paint (optional – you can keep the natural look)

– Raffia

– Paper wrapped floral wires (Joann’s)

– Floral wire

– Glue

– Paint brush

– Scissors

– Pliers (for cutting your floral wire)

{Step 1}: Trace your petal on to your bag.  You will glue two petals together to make one petal.  I used 5 petals for one flower.  So, trace as many as you would like.  Cut out all of your petals.

{Step 2}: After you cut out all of your petals, paint the plain side of your petal (the side without words on it).  Let  your petals dry.  Depending on the color you select, you may have to do multiple coats of paint.

Fyi…your petals will curl up, but don’t worry about it. This will not effect the look.

{Step 3}: Once all of your petals are dry, glue two of your petals together so the painted (or plain) side is facing out.

You may need to use something with a hard surface to flatten your petals down (if they have curled up).  I just used the bottom of my paint bottle to smooth out my petals.

{Step 4, 5 , 6, 7, & 8}: Cut out 2 narrow strips of paper from your TJ bag (see below).  Take one of your strips of paper and tie a knot.  Then, tie another knot behind the knot your just tied.

{Step 9}: Take your knot and place it over your paper covered floral wire.  Grab some of your floral wire and wrap it around the bottom of the knot and the paper covered floral wire.  This will attach your knot to the “stem”.

{Step 10}: Take your raffia and cut about 16 strips 2 1/2 inches long.  Once again, make as many or as few as you want.

{Step 11}: Take all of your strips of raffia and wrap them around your stem.  You want to make sure the raffia is about 1 1/2 inches above the knot.

{Step 12}: Take your floral wire and wrap it around your raffia, securing it to your stem.

{Step 1}: Take one of your petals and wrap the bottom of the petal around the stem.  This  will help form the bottom of the petal so you can easily attach it to the stem.

{Step 14}: Take your floral wire and wrap it around the bottom of your petal attaching it to your stem.

{Step 15}: Repeat step 14 for the second, third, fourth, and fifth petal.

{Step 16}: Take the other strip of paper you cut and line the printed side of the paper with glue.

{Step 17}: Take your strip and wrap it around the base of your flower covering the wires, etc.  Use your fingers to smooth out the paper on the base.

{Photo credit: Right – West Elm}