LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2021

ONTARIO MAKERS

Bespoke blooms

Stunning handmade paper flowers to order online or DIY kits to make your own at home. By Brenda Morrison | photography by vince noguchi

Paper flowers are a hot trend for weddings and are a traditional gift for first anniversaries.

BOUQ Paper Flowers

THE ART OF FLOWERMAKING Oxley’s paper flowers are so lifelike and craft- ed with such fine detail that they often require a double take for one to realize they aren’t real. Using premium Italian and German crepe paper, her intricate process for making a flower involves various techniques to hand-cut and colour each delicate petal. She then meticu- lously shapes them with ruffles and curls, and finally layers the petals into a realistic blossom with striking foliage.

FROM THE STUDIO Her online selection continues to grow, with favourites like dahlias, peonies, roses and orchids. Choose a single made-to-order stem—pop a show- stopper in a bud vase splurge with a magni­ ficent bouquet. Cus- tom commissions allow you to specify the colour, size and style for blooms that match anything from a bridal gown to wallpaper. or protect it under a glass cloche—or

MAKE YOUR OWN An instant hit with people looking for new hobbies or splendid gifts, BOUQ Studio Boxes (from $75) were recently launched. These eco-friendly pa- per flower kits contain the very same materials and tools Oxley uses, along with access to de- tailed video tutorials to guide you through each step of the process. Take your pick of ready-made flowers and make-your-own kits at bouqpaperflowers.com.

Based in King City, Ont., artist and entrepreneur Catherine Oxley specializes in handmade paper botani- cals. Her spectacular flowers can be seen in magazine features and retail advertis- ing, and have avid fans and collectors around the world. While an individual paper flower (from $50) is a decid- edly decadent indulgence, it’s a sustainable alterna- tive to fresh-cut flowers, especially off-season, and exotic imported ones. It’s also a unique way to have a long-lasting replica of a cher- ished bloom from a special bouquet.

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EARLY SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK