My Journey Into Crepe Paper Flowers: A NZ Paper Artist's Journey

I've always loved gardening. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of helping my mum in the garden - planting tulip bulbs in the fall and harvesting tomatoes in summer. Over the years, my love for flowers in particular has only grown. There's just something about a vase filled with blooms that can brighten a day and bring joy to any space.

There are so many varieties of flowers in the world, but only so much I can grow in my little Hobsonville Point garden. Living in a high-density area in Auckland means space is limited. While I still plant what I can, I longed for a way to enjoy more flowers year-round, without needing more garden space. That’s when I stumbled across some behind-the-scenes reels on Instagram showing the art of crepe paper flowers.

Some blooms from my little garden in Hobsonville Point, NZ

As someone who's always loved art and painting, I was instantly drawn in and had to give it a try. It wasn’t the same feeling as holding a fresh bloom, but it was beautiful in its own way - filled with joy, detail, and a kind of wonder. In this moment, I realised this could be something special. Perhaps it's a gift, a wedding bouquet, or a way to commemorate an important moment - crepe paper flowers can hold meaning in a way that lasts. 

Some of my crepe paper flower creations.

It's a little daunting to put my art out into the world, but I'm excited to share this journey. By day, I work as a full-time software engineer, but on nights (and weekends!) you'll find me surrounded by crepe paper, paints, and floral wire. I hope that through this blog, you can peek behind the scenes, see my process, and maybe even find inspiration for your own creative projects. I hope you'll follow along as I continue to grow as a paper flower artist and bring more blooms to life. 🌸

- Tessa