Paper Talk

Hand-delivering a paper flower arrangement looks simple from the outside, until you are standing in your driveway realizing the giant blooms you spent weeks building will not fit in your downsized car. In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara open up about their real-world transport systems, the trial-and-error moments that shaped them, and the surprisingly small tools that make a big difference.   “I put it in a box, then on a no-slip rubber mat, then in a crate, and then I wrap a towel around it. Even if I have to brake hard, the vase will not fall over.” - Quynh   From wholesale market boxes and no-slip rubber mats to collapsible carts, radio flyer wagons, and the humble tablecloth that turns a chaotic backstage into a clean booth, this is a tactical episode packed with tips you can use the next time you deliver an arrangement, set up at an art fair, or teach a workshop on the road.   “If it is for a show or exhibition and the piece will also be sold, the box has to be big enough to hold packing materials, so the buyer can take it home that same day.” - Jessie   They also share a few favorite finds: Sara is hooked on snail mail subscriptions (and just launched her own), Jessie shares an update on the Werola extra-fine crepe paper artist line she, Quynh, and a fellow artist have been co-developing for three years, and Quynh raves about a Bellevue bubble tea spot called Unique Greens.   Here’s what we cover in this episode: Why hand delivery is often the safer (and more trusted) option for paper florists Sara's collapsible system for transporting giant paper flowers Quynh's layered method: vase box, no-slip mat, crate, towel brace Jessie's approach to packing for shows where the flower may also be sold Why your paper flowers are usually sturdier than people assume The Amazon collapsible cart Quynh swears by for art fairs and workshops Using painter's paper from Home Depot to protect workshop tables The tablecloth trick that turns any backstage corner into a clean booth Why a two-hour delivery buffer is a gift to your future self Designing collapsible flower structures for reusable client backdrops   “The biggest thing I learned with giant flowers is that I need to make them collapsible. If the structure cannot come apart and go back together, you cannot really transport it.” - Sara   Resources and links mentioned Collapsible two-tier cart with crates (search Amazon for collapsible rolling cart with platform) Radio Flyer wagon (an underrated transport option) Home Depot painter's paper rolls (brown and dusty pink) Werola extra-fine crepe paper artist line (launching soon, carried in the US by Petals and Pearls Design and Rose Mille) Unique Greens bubble tea (Bellevue, WA) — orange jasmine tea with tea jelly, zero sugar Sara's new snail mail subscription service   The Best Thing We Bought that Bring Us Joy Quynh: UG Unique Green Tea Jessie: Werola Artist Line Extra Fine Crepe Paper 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 returning in the Fall 2026 and we saved you a seat! Starting September 8, 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. Registration begins soon. ----------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ 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 delivery, transporting paper flowers, hand delivery paper flowers, giant paper flowers transport, paper flower art fair tips, paper flower business logistics, paper flower packaging, collapsible cart art fair, paper flower workshop setup, paper flower studio business

When Carrissa Wu signed the lease on her first studio in a Fremantle warehouse, she remembers thinking, “What have I done?” She had just quit a stable corporate job at a Perth casino, had a growing stack of Etsy orders for paper flower bouquets, and a long list of dreams she had written down in that tiny first space: work with the King’s Park Botanic Gardens, get featured in Frankie magazine, build a team. Every single one of those things has happened. In this Episode of Paper Talk Podcast, Carrissa joins hosts Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim to tell the full story of Jotterbook Flowers, her paper flower business based out of Perth, Australia. She talks about how COVID gave her the space to rediscover making, how a mentor’s advice to pick one bread-and-butter revenue stream led her to workshops, and how Perth’s post-lockdown environment created a surge in demand that she could barely keep up with.   "You forgot the scissors for a workshop? We just learned to make a checklist. It’s not a you problem, it’s a systems problem." — Carrissa   Key Takeaways from this Episode: Pick one reliable revenue stream before experimenting with others. Hire for personality and relational skills since technical craft can be taught. Train team members through a staggered observation-to-independence process. Treat mistakes as systems problems, not personal failures. Know your numbers and be willing to cut overhead when the math stops working. Being “finished” with one creative chapter is not failure; it is freedom to start the next one. The skills you build in running a creative business transfer to whatever comes next.   Learn more about Carrissa Jotterbook Flowers is Perth's Original Crepe Paper Flower Studio, founded by artist Carrissa Wu. At the height of COVID lockdown, Carrissa was stood down from her corporate job and started making paper flowers to get through the anxiety of each day. She began running workshops in 2020 to help people find presence and pause in the midst of life's hectic pace. A community of like-minded paper florists started to bloom. Today, the Jotterbook Flowers team has helped over 1,000 people look after themselves to love others better through the art of paper flowers.  Instagram: @jotterbookflowers  Website: www.jotterbookflowers.com   The Best Thing We Bought that Bring Us Joy Quynh: New Sourdough recipes Jessie: Kitsch XL Satin Heatless Hair Curler Set Sara: Thrifting for craft supplies for her Junk journalling  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 returning in the Fall 2026 and we saved you a seat! Starting September 8, 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. Registration begins soon. ----------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ 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, creative entrepreneur, paper flower business, bridal inquiries, corporate inquiries, client inquiries, brand collaboration, brand inquiries, pricing strategies, contract tips, media kit advice, paper flower community, Paper Talk Podcast  

You got the inquiry. Now what? Whether it lands in your inbox from a bride-to-be, a corporate event planner, or a brand partnership manager, how you respond to that very first message can make or break the sale. In this quick but packed episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara break down their real-world strategies for handling three types of client inquiries: bridal, corporate, and brand collaborations.   “I try to be as upfront as possible so there are no surprises on both ends. I do not want to be emailing back and forth until I realize I am completely out of their budget.” — Sara    From what to include on your inquiry form and when to talk about pricing, to why you should never make free samples and how to present a media kit that lands the deal, the hosts share the frameworks they have built through years of running their own paper flower businesses.    “If you cannot do the job, have a list of your maker friends that can. If you refer someone, they can refer you back. It is a two-way street.”- Quynh   If you have ever felt nervous about quoting your prices or unsure how to follow up with a potential client, this episode will give you the confidence and the structure to respond like a pro.   What You’ll Hear in this Episode: What to include on your website inquiry form to filter serious clients Why response time matters and how it builds trust before the first project even starts When to bring up pricing and the reason for being upfront from the very first email How to use a price sheet to set expectations and protect your time Why you should never create free samples and how to handle sample requests The importance of contracts: deposits, delivery details, and final payment timelines How corporate inquiries differ from bridal work and why turnaround time changes everything Building a referral network and what to do when you cannot take the job How to create and use a media kit for brand collaborations Knowing your numbers and staying confident during negotiations Being flexible with packages without undervaluing your work Unique brand collaboration opportunities beyond physical flower commissions   The Best Thing We Bought that Bring Us Joy Quynh: Antique flower frogs  Jessie: Floral Genius Hairpin Frogs Sara: Flower frog using air dry clay 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 returning in the Fall 2026 and we saved you a seat! Starting September 8, 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. Registration begins soon. ----------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ 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, creative entrepreneur, paper flower business, bridal inquiries, corporate inquiries, client inquiries, brand collaboration, brand inquiries, pricing strategies, contract tips, media kit advice, paper flower community, Paper Talk Podcast

In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara sit down with Laura Richey, the Ontario-based artist behind Pucker Up Paper Lips and 2 CLVR Designs. Laura has been in the paper flower world for over 12 years, creating everything from thousands of card stock roses for Lancome to sculptural paper lips that have caught the attention of celebrities including Britney Spears. Laura opens up about how COVID upended her thriving wedding flower business, which had grown to 60 to 100 weddings a year, and how a pair of paper lips sitting in her living room sparked an entirely new creative direction. After a famous lip artist spotted her work on Instagram and invited her to collaborate, Laura’s paper lip art took off in ways she never expected.   "Anything 3D grabs attention. Anything that comes off the wall, people seem to gravitate towards." — Laura    The conversation covers the realities of running two brands, managing massive production orders as a solo artist, and the physical toll that large-scale paper crafting takes on your hands, back, and mental energy. Laura, Sara, Jessie, and Quynh get into the details that only paper artists understand: how many flowers you can realistically assemble in a day, why Cricut mats wear out faster than you think, and how chopsticks became Laura’s most essential tool.   "At this time in my career, it is okay to say no and it is okay to give them your feedback." — Laura   They also discuss the challenges of working with marketing companies and event coordinators who often reach out with unrealistic timelines and tight budgets, and why paper artists deserve to be brought into projects early rather than treated as a last-minute addition.   What You’ll Hear in this Episode: From wedding florals to paper lip sculptures and how Laura's 12+ year journey in paper flowers took a turn she never saw coming The Instagram DM from a celebrity lip artist that changed everything What it actually looks like to work with major brands and the difference between going through a marketing agency versus landing a direct brand partnership The reality of large-scale production: 600 lips for Too Faced, 4,000 roses for Lancôme, and what it takes to pull that off The physical and mental toll of making the same thing hundreds of times  Running two brands when one is your passion and the other pays the bills and what happens when they start pulling in opposite directions Card stock versus crepe paper: why the medium you work in matters more than you'd think The tools Laura can't live without: chopsticks, Cricut machines, vinyl picker tools, and kebab sticks (yes, really) Cricut mat maintenance, buying in bulk, and building a machine workflow that actually holds up under pressure Laser cutters versus Cricut machines  Where Laura is headed: teaching, fine art lip sculptures, and a creative practice that's evolving on her own terms Making it work as a maker and a mother — and why your workspace has to go wherever your family needs you Why setting realistic expectations with clients around timelines and budgets isn't just good business but necessary   👉 The Best Thing We Bought that Sparks Joy Quynh: Garden roses from Flower World: Earth Angel, Martha Stewart, Koko Loko Jessie: Deserres Acrylic Gouache Low Viscosity Sara: Daniel Smith Palette  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. Learn more about Laura Laura Richey is the artist behind Pucker Up Paper Lips and 2 CLVR Designs, based in Ontario, Canada. With over 12 years in the paper craft industry, Laura specializes in card stock paper art, from wedding flowers to her signature 3D paper lip sculptures. Her work has been featured in collaborations with major beauty and luxury brands, and her pieces have been reposted by Britney Spears.   Instagram: @puckerup_paperlips / @2clvr_designs   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: creative business website, paper artist marketing, small business SEO, building trust online, email marketing for creatives, website platforms for artists, creative entrepreneur tips, online business credibility

Ever wondered why some creative businesses feel more trustworthy than others? In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara get real about websites, the power of putting your name out there, and why your online presence matters more than you think.   "If I go onto your Instagram and I don't see your full name somewhere, there's a lack of credibility there. I'm not going to trust you. I don't know who you are...It's about making a connection with your consumer. And that means, unfortunately, you do have to share more of yourself." - Jessie   Sara shares her 16-year website journey, including the struggles of consolidating domains, email providers, and hosting platforms. Jessie opens up about why she needs to see your name before she can trust your business. And Quynh reminds us all that our websites should be living, breathing reflections of our evolving businesses.  Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, this conversation will inspire you to take a fresh look at your digital home and make it work harder for you.   What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Why having your name visible builds instant credibility The real cost of not having a website (spoiler: lost customers) Sara's honest account of moving domains and email providers after 16 years How to use blogs and Pinterest for long-term SEO benefits Free and affordable tools for newsletters, graphics, and website management The trust factor: what potential customers need to see before they buy Platform recommendations: Squarespace, Shopify, Etsy, and more Email marketing essentials and why your personal email won't cut it How to keep your website fresh without overwhelming yourself   "Google is still a big factor on search engines. So make sure your SEO and that search optimization on your keywords, long keywords that are scattered throughout your website. And one of the best ways to have that is actually having a blog." - Quynh    Tools & Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Squarespace (Sara uses this for her website hosting) GoDaddy (Sara uses this for domain registration) Flodesk (Quynh mentions this email newsletter marketing platform) Substack (Quynh mentions this free newsletter platform) Canva (graphic design for newsletters and social content) Drop in Blog (SEO-friendly blog integration) Thinkific (Jessie uses this for learning management platform) Pinterest (search engine for creative businesses) ChatGPT (SEO optimization help) 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: creative business website, paper artist marketing, small business SEO, building trust online, email marketing for creatives, website platforms for artists, creative entrepreneur tips, online business credibility