{"id":229624,"date":"2026-02-03T15:29:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T20:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/?p=229624"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T21:26:23","slug":"paper-flowers-artist-arlington-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/paper-flowers-artist-arlington-va\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Arlington Artist Turning Paper into Everlasting Flowers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-800x533.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"jill welch paper flowers\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">analog hobbies <\/div><p>A flower that can bloom year-round sounds like a myth, but that&#8217;s what Arlington-based artist Jill Welch creates. Jill is behind Fairy Dusted: Spreading Joy, and she makes timeless paper flowers, bringing an old-fashioned art form <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/all-about-great-falls-grange\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">into the 21st century<\/a>. Jill uses heavyweight European crepe paper, song lyrics, cardstock, and other paper to create lasting paper artworks that can represent a season, an anniversary, or simply a bit of beauty in the everyday. The best part is that this craft is accessible for artists of all skill levels, since the work involves a lot of elementary school skills like cutting and pasting. <strong>Read on for more about Arlington artist Jill Welch and her paper flowers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-229639 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI.png\" alt=\"jill welch paper flowers\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_welch_paper_flowersFI-263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Art Journey<\/h3>\n<p>Jill Welch works in public policy full-time, but her \u2018side hustle\u2019 of creating paper flowers couldn\u2019t be more opposite. The contrast creates harmony for her: \u201cPolicy is very rigid, intense, and the results aren\u2019t always tangible,\u201d she said. \u201cWith art, you can touch it, it\u2019s more free-flowing, and the results are tangible.\u201d Jill\u2019s journey to art was always in the background. \u201cMy mom is an artist and my grandmother was very crafty,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229632\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers.jpg\" alt=\"jill welch paper flowers\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/jill_paperflowers-585x585.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jill grew up in Georgia and moved to the DC area after college to begin her career in public policy. Art was still in the background, and a friend asked her to \u2018play\u2019 the Leprechaun for her children. \u201cShe was out of town for work but still wanted something to happen for her kids,\u201d she said. \u201cI looked on Pinterest for all these ideas and it was so fun, seeing all the ways people would celebrate this holiday.\u201d Jill started her business, Fairy Dusted, creating other magical moments for kids. She realized that adults need magic too, and added gift baskets and other items.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/fairfax-baker-puts-her-own-twist-on-the-classics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fairfax Baker Puts her Own Twist on the Classics<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>On a 2015 vacation to Vermont, a chance browse at a bookstore led Jill to paper flowers. \u201cI found a book about how to make paper flowers, and I had never even heard of that before,\u201d she said. As soon as she could, Jill bought the special paper used to make the flowers and started experimenting. Eventually, she pivoted her business to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairydusted.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fairy Dusted: Spreading Joy<\/a> and focused on paper flowers. Now, she teaches workshops throughout the area, hosts private events, and works on commissioned projects with her art.<\/p>\n<h3>Paper Flowers<\/h3>\n<p>The paper floral art community is international, with thousands of online class offerings and in-person workshops. The craft of making paper flowers began in the mid 1800s and reached a peak in Victorian times. Now, making paper flowers is a popular hobby and art form, with some artists making arrangements that take hundreds of hours to create.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229634\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1.jpg\" alt=\"paper flowers - fairy dusted jill welch\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paperflowers_1-585x585.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The paper flowers are made with special paper, shaped by hand, and sometimes painted or drawn on to create embellishments. \u201cThe skills are kindergarten skills,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of cutting, gluing, and thinking about color.\u201d Jill uses mainly European crepe paper in her work, and other types of paper ephemera that can stand up to the manipulation of the craft. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot sturdier and stretchier than the crepe paper most people think of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/northern-virginia-cheeseboards-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Where to Find Northern Virginia\u2019s Best Cheeseboards<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince paper is a first wedding anniversary gift, I do a lot with music from weddings,\u201d Jill said. \u201cI\u2019ll do things with children\u2019s books for something special.\u201d At our visit to the studio, Jill showed us a custom piece that was paper made into the shape of the cosmos flower, using reproduced text from the Torah. The piece was a gift for a recent Bat Mitzvah, and the cosmos flowers were the main flowers at the event. We also saw an arrangement made with an upcycled copy of <em>Where the Wild Things Are<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229640\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers.png\" alt=\"wild things paper flowers\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/wild_things_paper_flowers-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In Jill\u2019s view, the possibilities are endless because the flowers don\u2019t wilt. \u201cIt lasts forever, and you feel joyful every time you look at it,\u201d she said. She is inspired by nature, as there is always something new to look at.<\/p>\n<h3>Try it Out<\/h3>\n<p>Jill says that making paper flowers is a great activity for using your hands to create something. \u201cIt\u2019s very tactile,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s great to listen to music or a podcast and just let yourself go to work.\u201d Even those who aren\u2019t terribly crafty can make beautiful art. \u201cIf they can cut, if they can, color, if they can glue, then they can do it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229633\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop.jpg\" alt=\"paper flower workshop\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/02\/paper_flower_workshop-585x585.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><em>Images courtesy of Jill Welch.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>She teaches workshops throughout Northern Virginia, and says that oftentimes, the people who claim not to be creative at all end up the most proud and excited about their work. Jill also works with people to host private events such as bachelorette parties and birthday parties. The best way to keep up with Jill and her art is to visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairydusted.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">her website<\/a> and follow her on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fairydustedspreadingjoy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Follow @thefairfaxgirl on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thefairfaxgirl\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Instagram <\/span><\/a>+&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thefairfaxgirl\"><span class=\"s2\">TikTok<\/span><\/a> for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/events\/\"><span class=\"s2\">events calendar<\/span><\/a>, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/category\/lifestyle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-228394\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1.png\" alt=\"lifestyle button\" width=\"450\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1.png 1200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1-800x267.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1-1170x390.png 1170w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/1-585x195.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>analog hobbies A flower that can bloom year-round sounds like a myth, but that&#8217;s what Arlington-based artist Jill Welch creates. Jill is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":362,"featured_media":229639,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9852,9775,9874,7997,7998,9593,9728],"tags":[9802,9763,9774,9790,9702,9743,9845,9731,9735],"class_list":["post-229624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arlington","category-community","category-creative","category-lifestyle","category-people","category-local-girl-rss-feed","category-virginia","tag-activity","tag-arlington","tag-community","tag-creative","tag-lifestyle","tag-northern-virginia","tag-tlg","tag-virginia","tag-women-owned"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet the Arlington Artist Turning Paper into Everlasting Flowers - 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