Paper Talk

Quynh, Jessie, and Sara share what's next in their paper flower careers: a museum wall installation at the San Diego Natural History Museum, Jessie's first solo gallery show, and a Day of the Dead paper flower headpiece workshop in Mexico City with Hitomi Gilliam. Season 8 is winding down and episode 197 finds Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim catching each other up on the biggest paper flow...

Poy T. Granati of Summer Space Studio returns to Paper Talk Podcast for her third appearance, joining co-hosts Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim. If you have followed Paper Talk for a while, you will recognize Poy from Episode 8 , where we first introduced her, and Episode 135 , our Pinterest deep dive that is still one of our most referenced episodes for paper flower artists building organi...

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....

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, buil...

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....

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 up...

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...

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...

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 l...

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 i...

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...

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 wo...

How niche should you be as a creative? In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast , Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim sit down for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about niching down. They reflect on how their businesses have evolved, the challenges of serving multiple audiences, and the clarity that comes from defining who you are truly creating for.   “Teaching art and selling art...

Welcome to 2026! Hosts Quynh Nguyen , Sara Kim , and Jessie Chui reflect on the highlights of 2025 and share how they’re approaching the new year with renewed purpose. From their favorite podcast moments to candid conversations about burnout, community, and social media, this episode offers a genuine look at what it means to balance artistry with entrepreneurship. Quynh opens up about personal cha...

In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh, Jessie, and Sara sit down with Karina Golindo , the creative mind behind Crafty Kari , to talk about the intersection of crafting, content creation, and entrepreneurship. From sublimation to YouTube tutorials, Karina shares how her creative journey began with a Cricut during lockdown and evolved into a thriving business and online community.    “Don...

In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim dive into the art and philosophy of creating your own paper flower templates. What begins as a practical discussion quickly blooms into a conversation about creativity, confidence, and the evolution of each artist’s personal style. They explore how templates serve as both a foundation and a springboard, and how learning from o...

When we think of paper flowers, we often imagine something small, intricate, and realistic. But what happens when you scale that beauty up tenfold? In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui explore the bold, beautiful world of large paper flowers  and the practical realities that come with going big.   Listen to this Episode to learn: Why large flowers requi...

In this festive episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui share their best tips for preparing your creative business for the busiest time of the year. From managing orders and planning downtime to hosting workshops, packaging ideas, and navigating Black Friday sales, this episode is packed with holiday wisdom. We discuss how far in advance to plan seasonal events, the importa...

In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim sit down with Francis Zierer of Creator Spotlight to explore one of the most fascinating questions in today’s digital world: What is a creator? Francis shares how his definition has evolved, drawing from his work at Beehive and hundreds of interviews with creators across industries. Together, we explore the blurred line...

In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim explore the value of artist talks: those special moments when artists step out from behind their work and share the story, process, and heart behind their creations.   “Sometimes it’s as simple as educating your audience in what we do. You’ll be surprised at how curious people are.” - Sara    Here's what we dive...

In Episode 177 of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim open up about what it truly means to build community as artists. While follower counts and viral videos can feel validating, they share why authentic connections, through workshops, newsletters, stories, and everyday conversations, are what sustain and grow a creative business.   “Viral videos are great, but they don’t nece...

Aleene’s Tacky Glue has been a household name for generations of makers, but do you know the story behind the gold bottle? In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Windsor , daughter of Aleene Jackson, to celebrate the 75-year legacy of Aleene’s and the community it continues to inspire. Tiffany takes us back to her mother’s early years, from opening a florist shop at just 20 years old, experimen...

We’re kicking off Season 8 of Paper Talk, and this time it’s all about community—building it, maintaining it, and making it thrive. In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara reflect on over six years and 175 episodes of connecting with paper flower artists and creative entrepreneurs. We share our personal summer goals (and what we actually accomplished), lessons learned from teaching workshops, and...

Each season of the Paper Talk Podcast holds a special place in our hearts, but Season 7 felt like a turning point. It reminded us that growth doesn’t have to be loud. It can be slow and quiet, a series of steady, intentional steps that shift us in ways we don’t always notice right away. And it reminded us that when we share our goals with others (and when we say them out loud) something begins to...

The beginning of anything creative is often the most challenging part. In this episode of Paper Talk , we’re sharing a heartfelt look into the first two weeks of our Mastermind. If you’re starting a handmade business, building your creative brand, or craving support from like-minded artists, then this conversation is for you.   What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How to overcome perfectionism w...