Paper Talk

She’s been on the Paper Talk Podcast not once, not twice, but three times now, and for good reason. Margie Keates of The Lovely Ave is one of the paper flower community’s most beloved artists, known for her stunning crepe paper blooms, her gorgeous still life collections, and her warm, genuine presence online. But this episode is different from the ones that came before. In this deeply vulnerable and emotional conversation, Margie shares what happened when the creative fire she had carried for over a decade started to fade and what she decided to do about it.   “I kept creating what I thought would sell the fastest, not what I wanted to create because I loved it and was excited about it. And I just got to the end of the year and I’m like, I don’t want to go to work anymore.” - Margie   After a year of chasing sales instead of creating from joy, watching her confidence erode with every collection that didn’t land the way it used to, and feeling the slow, painful disconnect from the art she once loved so deeply, Margie made the courageous decision to step away. She closed her shop, took a part-time marketing job at a local clothing company she had modeled for, and gave herself something she had never allowed before: permission to pause.   “Who am I when it doesn’t revolve around what I can create? I don’t know yet. But I do know I’m really, really grateful that I get to sit and internally reflect and figure out who I am.” - Margie   In This Episode, We Talk About: The slow erosion of creative confidence and how burnout doesn’t always look like what you expect Why Margie only posted six to eight times on Instagram in all of 2025  The rise and fall of her subscription business model, from 70 subscribers at its peak to closing it down How her identity became wrapped up in The Lovely Ave brand and the terrifying question of who she is without it Getting a part-time job after 11 years of full-time artistry and what that transition felt like The overwhelming response from her community when she announced her break (over 100 emails in one day) Considering a rebrand from The Lovely Ave to just Margie Keates Sara’s experience pivoting from bridal accessories to paper flowers after burnout Quynh’s health scare and how it forced her to slow down and reconnect with why she loves paper flowers Jessie’s beautiful reminder that your creative identity follows you into whatever comes next Why using AI as a business tool is something paper flower artists should embrace, not fear Kozo paper: what it is, where to find it, and Quynh’s quest to source it in Japan Finding joy in real flowers, gardening, Pilates, and the simple act of showing strangers your work at a store   About Our Guest Margie Keates is the artist and founder behind The Lovely Ave, a Salt Lake City-based paper flower studio known for breathtaking crepe paper blooms and still life wall art. Over 11 years, Margie built a devoted following, a thriving custom order and subscription business, and a reputation as one of the paper flower community’s most inspiring voices. She first appeared on Paper Talk in Season 1, Episode 5, and returned in Season 3, Episode 80, to talk about imposter syndrome. In early 2026, Margie announced she was stepping away from full-time artistry to rediscover herself outside of her creative brand. She currently works part-time in marketing while keeping her studio lease active because she knows this isn’t goodbye. Follow Margie: @thelovelyave on Instagram, www.thelovelyave.com on her website   The Best Thing We Bought for Under $20 Margie: Trader Joe’s flowers Jessie: Pillsbury Grands! Deluxe Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Sara: Trader Joe’s Ranch Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips    Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com, Shareasale, or similar affiliate marketing programs. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and our podcast.    Listen and Subscribe Paper Talk is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review! It helps other paper flower artists find our community.   Keywords: paper flower podcast, paper flower artist burnout, creative entrepreneur break, The Lovely Ave, Margie Keates, paper flower business, creative identity, artist mental health, subscription business model, paper flower community, Paper Talk Podcast, creative burnout recovery

Have you ever wondered how we capture those beautiful shots of our paper flowers? In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara pull back the curtain on their photography and videography equipment, settings, and creative processes. Sara shares her daily filming routine and why she shoots the same action from multiple angles. Jessie breaks down her camera choices and explains why the person behind the lens matters more than the equipment. And Quynh reveals her favorite affordable tripod and why she upgraded her Canon for her book deal.   "Do a B-roll shot list of things that you want to capture because when you're filming, you forget you're thinking you're getting all this." - Quynh   Whether you're shooting with an iPhone or investing in professional equipment, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you showcase your work beautifully.   Here’s What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Sara's complete camera setup and why she switched from Canon to Sony The importance of lenses over camera bodies (and which ones to invest in first) How to shoot multiple angles of the same action for dynamic content iPhone camera settings for the highest quality photos and videos Why natural light beats artificial lighting every single time The pre-production process: shot lists, prep work, and planning your day Editing software recommendations: Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, and more How to find affordable secondhand camera equipment The best tripods for overhead shots and easy movement Microphone recommendations for clear audio in videos   Equipment & Tools Mentioned: Sony cameras (various models) with GM 16-35mm wide angle zoom lens Canon DSLR cameras Fujifilm GFX 50S II (for professional photography) Viltrox 20mm lens (affordable option, around $100) iPhone 16 Pro Max with specific camera settings Rode shotgun and wireless microphones DJI Osmo and DJI wireless remote Greek Geekcraft tripod (extends to 7 feet with magnetic phone mount) Tethering cables for shooting directly to computer   Editing Software Mentioned: Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing) Final Cut Pro (video editing for Mac users) Adobe Lightroom (photo editing) Adobe Photoshop (advanced photo editing) Edits app (mobile video editing) Snapseed (mobile photo editing) Capture One (professional photo editing with tethering)   👉 The Best Thing We Bought for Under $20 Quynh: KraftGeek Magnetic Phone Tripod  Jessie: TetherPro USB-C to USB-C Sara: Viltrox 20mm F2.8  Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com, Shareasale, or similar affiliate marketing programs. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and our podcast.

What happens when the hustle slows down and you're left wondering if you should get a teaching credential instead? In this raw and honest conversation, Quynh, Sara, and Jessie open up about the parts of running a creative business we don't usually talk about: the financial worries, the seasonal doubts, and the struggle to keep going when your energy isn't the same.   "I feel like every year it repeats and it always starts in January and sometime in the summer for me when I go through these random moments where I'm like, do I need to go get a part-time job? Do I need to maybe change careers?" - Sara   This isn't your typical "boss babe" pep talk. We are three paper artists who've been in business for over a decade, sitting down to have the real conversation about what it takes to sustain a creative life. We talk about the pressure to look perfect on social media while hiding the messy truth, how motherhood changes ambition, and why finding your "why" is the anchor that keeps you from drifting when things get hard.   What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Why January brings existential career questions (and why that's normal) The uncomfortable truth about money conversations in the artist community How to balance motherhood and creative ambition without feeling torn Why your medium isn't your message and what is The power of having people who understand your struggles Writing as a tool for clearing creative space in your mind How to tell if you're moving in the right direction (even when it's not clear)   👉 The Best Thing We Bought for Under $20 Quynh: You are the Brand by Mike Kim  Jessie: Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic by Lisa Congdon   Sara: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek  Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com, Shareasale, or similar affiliate marketing programs. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and our podcast.   ________________________________________________ JOIN OUR PAPER TALK MASTERMIND! If you've been running your paper business solo and you're tired of figuring out pricing, marketing, and selling alone, then this is for you. The Mastermind is back and we saved you a seat! Starting March 3, we are leading a 6-month Mastermind for paper artists ready to build something sustainable. You'll meet twice a month with us and a small group of paper artists tackling the real stuff: pricing, social media, selling your work, newsletters, and building confidence in your business. We’ll have honest conversations, dive into practical strategies, and be with people who actually understand what you're building. It’s $125/month for 6 months. Pay in full and save $50. Registration closes March 1. 👉 Join the Mastermind now!

In Episode 187 of Paper Talk, your hosts Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim unpack one of the hardest but most necessary conversations for artists: branding, identity, and growth beyond technical skill. We reflect on what happens when everyone’s work starts to look the same, why burnout often stems from misalignment, and how honest outside feedback can shift everything. We talk about naming our businesses to photographing our work, from showing up consistently to embracing life experience as an asset.    “Hard conversations hurt, but they’re usually where the real change starts.” - Sara   Whether you’re early in your journey or years in, we hope our conversation offers perspective, encouragement, and a gentle push to evolve your art practice.   👉 The Best Thing We Bought for Under $20 Quynh: Dungeon Crawler Carl Jessie: Benjamin Moore Paint Colour Samples Sara: Screenprinting workshop Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com, Shareasale, or similar affiliate marketing programs. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and our podcast.   ________________________________________________ JOIN OUR PAPER TALK MASTERMIND! If you've been running your paper business solo and you're tired of figuring out pricing, marketing, and selling alone, then this is for you. The Mastermind is back and we saved you a seat! Starting March 3, we are leading a 6-month Mastermind for paper artists ready to build something sustainable. You'll meet twice a month with us and a small group of paper artists tackling the real stuff: pricing, social media, selling your work, newsletters, and building confidence in your business. We’ll have honest conversations, dive into practical strategies, and be with people who actually understand what you're building. It’s $125/month for 6 months. Pay in full and save $50. Registration closes March 1. 👉 Join the Mastermind now!

In Episode 186 of Paper Talk, we welcome the incomparable floral designer and educator, Hitomi Gilliam for a deeply thoughtful conversation on floral mechanics, Ikebana, color theory, and what it truly means to make flowers feel alive. Hitomi brings decades of experience in floristry, Ikebana, and teaching to our discussion. In it, she shares how “economy of means” shapes her work, why neutrals like browns and grays quietly hold color stories together, and how mechanics become the bridge between imagination and execution. Together, we explore the powerful overlap between paper flowers and fresh floristry, sustainability, interdisciplinary learning, and the idea she calls the “hand of nature.”   “Mechanics are the enabler. Without them, the vision stays a sketch.” - Hitomi Gilliam   This episode is especially valuable for artists interested in sustainability, Ikebana principles, and designing with intention rather than excess. Learn more about Hitomi on her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!   👉 Join Hitomi and Quynh at their Paper Flower Crown Workshop in April 2026! Sign up before February 15th to get FREE complimentary paper flower supplies. Register here.    👉 The Best Thing We Bought for Under $20 Quynh: Petite Knit Sophie Hood Pattern Jessie: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Sara: Brown woven scalloped baskets Paper Talk is supported by our community of readers and listeners. When you click on our affiliate links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through Amazon.com, Shareasale, or similar affiliate marketing programs.. This commission goes directly into the maintenance of this website and our podcast.    ------ Join the Conversation! We'd love to hear from you! Share your insights with us on Instagram @papertalkpodcast or join our Facebook community discussions. Your experiences inspire us just as much as we hope to inspire you.  Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe to Paper Talk wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you’ve been craving a creative community or wondering how to take your next step, let this episode remind you that you are not alone. You can start small. You can begin today.