Susie Bernhardt Phillips creates amazing flowers from paper. She tells us how she started almost by accident and how social media and collaborations have helped her build a successful business.
What does your business do?
Tissue Blossoms makes bespoke paper flowers that are statement pieces which are unique to the individual customer. Our paper flowers are not aimed at replacing fresh flowers, they are available to compliment and add an element of versatility where sadly nature always can’t. When individuals and displays aren’t limited on flower size, colour, availability or longevity the possibilities of what can be achieved widens.
At Tissue Blossoms we love thinking outside the box and providing brides and stylists with a unique alternative twist. Our pieces can be from a single flower for someone’s hair to an extravagant wall display. Each piece becoming a unique keepsake which can be displayed for years to come.
How did you get started?
I started my business in 2012.
When our daughter was turning 5 I wanted to decorate the house but knew she was terrified of balloons. I remembered decorating wedding cars in our family with tissue paper pompoms so I decided to make extra large versions and display them around the house. The pompoms were enormous and in bright pinks and lime green their effect was instant.
All the guest commented how wonderful it looked and the next day I had my first order. Tissue Blossoms was born. I continued to make pompoms exclusively for the first 6 month but I began to experiment and found I could make paper flowers. With this realisation and my instant passion my designs and skills continue to evolve.
I look forward to what the next 4 years will bring and what my designs will be like then.
Why did you choose this particular business?
I honestly believe this business has found me and not the other way around. My business is developing out of my passion for working paper and the elements of design they can be used in.
Can you describe a typical working day?
My typical day is never typical. Depending on what I am working on or who I am designing for, I am always thinking of how I could develop that idea. It’s so much fun when someone comes to me with vision and I try to make that a reality.
All my flowers are individually hand cut and sculpted making them very labour intensive. I know they will never be mass produced but I do feel this what makes them unique. They really are each an individual piece of art as no two flowers will ever be exactly the same. Mother Nature sure got that so right in her exquisite designs.
How do your customers find you?
Most of my customers have found me through social media. Facebook and Instagram have been instrumental in gaining visibility of my product to a wider audience. Collaborative photoshoots have also been instrumental as meeting other Wedding Industry Professionals, shares ideas, passions expands everyone’s audience and experience.
What’s been your best moment so far?
Every new turn is an adventure and exciting for me. I guess as most artist do, I have moments of self doubt.
For me the best moment is when someone sees my work in person for the first time and their face lights up. I can’t help but feel that is what it is all about.
And the worst?
Doing my tax returns. Being a new business there are so many learning curves and dealing with the taxman is one of them. I would so rather be making flowers so this year I have decided to employ someone who likes doing this type of work. Thankfully we all have our own skills.
Anything you wish you had known when you started?
Only wish I had started doing this years ago.
What’s your biggest challenge going forward?
Time. I’m sure we all can say that. With the gaining popularity of paper flowers and an increased awareness of my business I now need to seriously look at employing an assistant. Slightly scary but another step to climb in owning a business and moving forward.
Do you have a top tip for someone starting out in the wedding business?
Network, network, network. There are so many extremely talented people within the wedding industry who are passionate about what they do. Meeting them and the buzz they create is infectious. I feel fortunate and enjoy this part of my life.
You can find Susie’s website at www.tissueblossoms.co.uk
and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Header photo by Mark Dalton Photography