Crepe Paper Blooms, Bugs & Butterflies | Interview with Eileen Lim
We sat down with Paper Artist Eileen Lim aka MissPetalandBloom to talk all things paper art! Take a look at her new book and hear all about her journey below.
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Eileen and I grew up in sunny Singapore. I am a full-time, self-taught paper artist and
I love making flowers (and bugs!) out of Italian crepe paper. I am a big Jane Austen fan, pink
is my favourite colour, and I can’t go without at least one cup of coffee a day!
Tell us a bit about your new book?
Crepe Paper Blooms, Bugs and Butterflies celebrates the endless possibilities of crepe paper
art! It was important for me for the book to be vibrant, whimsical, colourful, and not too
intimidating for beginners. I am very much a visual learner, so I did my best to balance out
the instructional images and text. My hope is that this book can be a friendly and inspiring
companion to both beginners and experienced crafters alike, so that everyone can learn to
craft their very own crepe paper gardens.
What is your favourite project/technique featured?
Oh, it’s hard to choose, that’s like asking me to pick a favourite child! Each project holds a
special place in my heart, but perhaps the one that stands out to me is the Io Moth project -
it made me the most nervous!! The Io Moth was a last-minute addition to my book and
frankly, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. Thankfully, I am very happy with how the project
turned out and I adore how furry this bright yellow moth is!
How do you think you reached this point in your craft?
I have to credit my supportive family - they gave me the space to try new things, to grow,
and make my mistakes on my own terms. When I first started out and business wasn’t
great, my family never judged me or told me to give up on my dreams. Without that time,
space, and freedom to explore this craft, I would have never been able to develop my skills
and aesthetics to reach this point, and I would have never been brave enough or
comfortable enough to take risks and pitch my book idea to international publishers!
Where do you look for inspiration: travel, lifestyle, Pinterest?
Instagram is the richest source of inspiration for me, not just seeing what other makers are
making, but to also see how florists, fashion designers and sculptors break traditional
boundaries and prove that creativity is limitless.
What is the most challenging thing about being a designer/artist?
I would say I’m pretty sensitive to how others perceive my creative career - the fear of being
judged never truly goes away even after all my years of being a full-time artist. I grew up in a
community where success was mostly defined by how much you earned and how high you
rank in the corporate ladder, so I do feel like very few people understand or appreciate my
career choice. I have had people in the past judging me as having an “easy” job, and for
“wasting” my university education. Those comments were pretty hurtful, and those
comments are the main reason why I am very thankful for the online community of paper
florists - they have been a great source of support and encouragement throughout my
journey.
Who (dead or alive) would you invite to the perfect Crafting retreat?
Could I invite Kate Middleton? I’ve always admired her grace, sophistication, and charm, and
I would just love to meet a real-life princess in person!
What advice would you give to your beginner self?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! It can be scary and tough but those mistakes are precisely
how you learn and grow.
About the Author
Eileen Lim
Eileen Lim is the cheerful paper artist behind her colourful online moniker ‘Miss Petal & Bloom’....