I started selling dried florals and angels some 20 years ago. I put my business aside a number of years ago and took a job in the business world. One year ago I decided to once again sell my dried floral home decor and Christmas angels on Etsy. I didn't realize how things had changed. There were some gift shops in the area which sold my items years ago. Now they were not interested in them as there is no demand for dried florals. I suppose you might say "dried florals are so 1980's". Boy doesn't that make me feel old. One consignment shop said she remembered my work was beautiful but said they won't sell. I recall, one local business, Betsy Williams had such beautiful wreaths for sale. Today, there doesn't seem to be any businesses like that in the area. The other surprise was that I could no longer obtain the paper twist ribbon for the angels. At one time you could find paper twist anywhere and it seemed like they were making everything out of paper twist ribbon. I wish I had some pictures of those early angels. What was I to do? I found some interesting fabrics and began to experiment.
I found that fabric was so much more difficult to work with. All the additional measuring and cutting was a lot of work. The fabric was too soft and wouldn't hold it's shape. Fraying edges were also a problem. I decided to try Stiffy fabric stiffener. I knew you could shape fabric into beautiful bow shapes and use the Stiffy and it would mold them into beautiful shapes. So I tried to saturate an angel with the Stiffy and carefully draped the skirt as it dried. The Stiffy worked great creating a long lasting finish and resolved the fraying edges problem. A quick trim of any frayed edges worked great. These angels make beautiful Christmas tree tops or table centerpieces.
I also have some wired ribbon angel bows which make great package decorations or Christmas ornaments.
My first angels had spanish moss for hair which had a real country look.
I wanted something which would give them a different look so I ordered some Baby Alpaca Roving Fiber Yarn from LaTeaDaDesigns on etsy and created a softer hair on some of my angels.
Kindly visit either my Angelsneverlastings Etsy shop or my new Artfire shop to view other angel creations and dried floral home decor.
Fun to see the different angels and the different processes.
ReplyDeleteThe ribbon bow ones are really neat - perhaps the easiest to do??
Roxanne
I love your angels, Judy!
ReplyDelete♥♥♥
Suki
I had no idea that dried florals were out of favor! I still love them and I think yours are exceptional. The ones you donated for Your angels are lovely and I'm sure they will be a big success! I loved that twisted paper ribbon. I still have a small amount of it. I used it for a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteAre the 80's gone? Where did they go? I have found the same thing so I switched to painting. However, I love your fabric angels and they look so 2010! They have a nice soft combination of country and sophistication!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed reading your post, Judy.I too made and sold angels in the 80's. (very similar to but different raw material than yours). I would still be making them if they sold. I do have one in my etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteWell I left a response a while ago and it disappeared. So here goes again!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind comments. Yes, I'm afraid the dried florals are a bit out of favor but I'm still hopeful to sell them. Yes, what did happen to the 80's lol.
Sammysgrammy, I love that angel you have - I thought for sure that would sell. Sometimes it is amazing what people will buy. I thought I could predict but now not so sure.
Really surprised that these won't sell. I think they would be great in rural communities (where I live) I think they are LOVELY!
ReplyDeleteI love angels too. Nice post.
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