Review by Jeri Wright

Our second mini workshop of the guild year was presented by member, RafiQ Sellah-Flowers. This version of sculptured flowers was designed by RafiQ and was generously offered to the members in a three-hour workshop on a cold and snowy morning on January 11^th.

RafiQ began by passing out cut sheets of 65# Astrobright black cover stock paper.  Each participant was given precut sheets of this paper in the following sizes: 11 (8 ½ x 5 1/2” size sheets), 11 (4 ¼ x 5 ½” size sheets), and 8 (4 ¼” x 2 6/8”). So that’s a half sheet of a standard 8 ½ x 11 sheet, then half that for the next size, then half that for the smallest size. 

We drew in pencil a petal shape on the sheets (9 large, 9 medium, 6 small), and cut them out.  Ultimately this resulted in three different sizes of petals after they were cut out. We were encouraged to decorate them (one side only, and upper 1/3 of the petal only) in any fashion we wanted using paint, ink, white pens, gel pens, colored pencils, etc. When all the decorating was completed, we used a pencil to lightly curl the petal edges. 

After that was completed, we cut out the leaves. Using the remaining sheets, we folded them in half (lengthwise) and cut out a leaf shape, then cut out notches on the outside.  The leaves were also embellished. 

One inch cuts were made on the fold which allowed for the petal/leaf to be molded into a curved shape.  This was accomplished using a glue gun. The petals were then glued to a round paper base, layering around in a circle.  RafiQ then showed us how to make a spiral for the center of the flowers. 

We had enough petals to make two flowers, one large and one smaller. The flowers were then glued onto a 12” x 12” piece of black foam core, with the leaves glued around them, camouflaging the foam core base.

 It was such fun to see how everyone decorated their flowers and how beautifully they all turned out. I predict that most of the participants will be making more of these lovely flowers at home. RafiQ will be posting YouTube instructions and will pass on the video title to the members. Our thanks to RafiQ for sharing his time and creative talents with Kaligrafos!

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