How to Get More from Online Paper Flower Tutorials

For paper florists, online content is a lifesaver. With just a few clicks, we can share techniques, tool recommendations, and encouragement from around the world. Our niche is thriving because the digital world connects us. But not all online tutorials are equally useful, as you’ve probably discovered.

If you do a quick search for paper flower tutorials, you’ll find a wide range of results: beginner to expert, cardstock to tissue, free videos or paid classes. And once you find crepe paper tutorials, how do you make sure it’s a good one before investing lots of time?

I’ve had the same difficulties. 

When I first started making paper flowers six years ago, I tried every Google combination imaginable to find techniques, tools, and tutorials. Cardstock dominated, and some of the only crepe content I could find was from Tina Nguyen of ABC TV Craft. Her YouTube videos taught me so much, but because they featured no voice, only music, I had to stop and rewatch dozens of times to understand the techniques. Other options, like Castle in the Air’s in-person classes with Lynn Dolan and Tiffanie Turner, were out of reach because I didn’t have the budget to fly to San Francisco.

Luckily, there are more paper florists than ever willing to share their expertise online, and with a little know-how you can connect with the perfect videos and classes for you. This post will help you feel ready to find digital tutorials, and you’ll learn how to get the most from them. You’ll save time and become a better paper florist in the end. 

Find the Right Teacher

To narrow your search from the very beginning, I suggest starting with a great educator. Find someone who can teach well, is engaging for you, and will provide top notch content no matter which flower they are creating.

If you have a favorite paper flower book or took a great in-person workshop, look up the educator online to see what else they offer. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel if someone’s teaching style already works for you. Most paper florist educators will have a website, an Instagram account, and possibly even a YouTube channel.

Another route to finding an online educator is to dig into the work of your favorite paper florists. You should already be following the work of great artists on social media, both for inspiration and knowledge. Pay attention to who they’re tagging and following. It’s always good practice to tag your sources, and most paper florists are great at crediting workshops or courses they used when creating something.

If someone doesn’t outright recommend an educator or tutorial source, send them a DM and ask. The paper flower world is very friendly. I would gladly talk about paper flowers all day. If someone asked me which teacher I would recommend for a particular flower or technique, I’m more than willing to point them in the right direction.

Read Reviews of Digital Courses

Lots of crepe paper content out there is free for anyone to use, but many tutorials are only available through online courses on platforms like Teachable and CreativeLive or on personal websites. As an online educator myself, I know just how much work goes into teaching, so I’m a big believer in paying my own teachers for their knowledge. 

That said, I also understand the hesitation to spend money, especially if you’re a beginner. There are already many costs you’ve had to pay for at this point. How do you know if the class will be worth the money? 

Again, you need to do some sleuthing.

Once you’ve found a course you’re interested in, look for social media posts from students who have taken the class. The teacher may have been tagged in their post, or may use a certain hashtag. This may take some time, but it will be worth it. Compare photos of the student’s work to the teacher’s. Hopefully the student has already written something about the class, but you can DM the student and ask for an honest review. 

You can also ask around the paper flower world to find others who have taken a course. I highly recommend joining our Paper Talk Community on Facebook to make connections with other paper florists. Your friendships will not only brighten your life, but will give you honest feedback on which online classes are worth the money. Use the search function in the Facebook group to find posts already discussing online courses and join the conversation!

Tips for Using Tutorials

Now that you’ve done the research to find the right educator and read reviews, you want to get the most out of the tutorial you’ve chosen. The trick is to set yourself up for success before you even begin. 

A good class or tutorial will walk you through all of the necessary steps for the actual making of the flower, but simply clicking play on the video won’t give you the best experience. You need to prepare for using the tutorial. 

Think about it this way. A soccer player doesn’t play a game without cleats or without warming up. You need the necessary tools and preparation to ensure that your paper flower will turn out the very best it possibly can. 

Here are my best tips:

1. Gather all of your supplies. Before you start, take a look at the supplies list and make sure you have everything needed. You don’t want to get halfway through only to find you need a particular crepe that is out of stock and will take weeks to ship. By the time you pick up the project again, you’ll have to review a lot of material to remember what you’re doing.
2. Read or watch the entire tutorial. Without making anything, familiarize yourself with the process from start to finish. Again, you don’t want to run into a surprise that will bring your progress to a standstill.
3. Write down questions. While reviewing the entire tutorial, have a notebook handy to jot down notes and time stamps—anything you want to rewatch again, specific techniques that look complicated, and things you don’t understand. It’s okay if you have questions. I have a notebook that is for my eyes only where I can write out problems I encounter and remember questions I need answered. Even expert paper florists will encounter things they don’t understand, so don’t feel discouraged.
4. Ask the educator. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the teacher with your questions. That’s what they are there for! I love helping my students. Not only is it very fulfilling to help another paper florist flourish, but it makes me a better educator because I can identify areas of confusion in my tutorials. Any teacher worth their salt will be very grateful to answer questions and improve their own teaching at the same time.
5. Rewatch and reread. Go over those tricky parts until you fully understand the process. The best thing about videos is that you can stop and rewatch certain steps as many times as you want! Once you feel comfortable with the steps, you can start making the flower. Don’t hesitate to go back and rewatch whatever you need to. Take your time and have fun!
6. Share on social media. Tag the educator or class and let your followers know where you learned how to make this paper flower. This will help other paper florists find great education content, plus it gives you an easy way to look back and see how your work has improved over time. I love scrolling through a paper florist’s Instagram page and getting a quick glance of their paper flower journey.

I would have never made it as far as I have as a paper flower artist and educator if it wasn’t for the amazing online videos, courses, and tutorials that I’ve encountered over the years. I’ll forever be grateful to the incredible paper florists and friends who have helped me on my way.

You don’t have to go it alone, and when you find the right education for you, your work will improve by leaps and bounds. I’ve seen it happen many, many times. Find the right teacher, do your research about online courses, and set yourself up for success.

To get started with online paper flower tutorials, I highly recommend looking through the options available at The Posey Box. I have collaborated closely with other incredible educators to create tutorials that are accessible to beginners, but will also teach new techniques to intermediate or expert paper florists. There is something for everyone, ranging from classic garden roses to giant wall peonies to magical little mushrooms. 

Take a look now to find the right paper flower tutorial for you.