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DIY Paper Dahlias – Silvia Raga

Silvia Raga, also known as Giochi di Carta, paper flower artist from Italy, shares a floral DIY with you in sisterMAG No. 62, which you can download for free. Get to the scissors and let’s go! You can also get to know the artist and her work better in a short interview.

Paper Flowers

DIY Paper Dahlias by Silvia Dahlias

Materials:

  • Cardboard 160 g
  • Paint brush
  • Hot glue
  • Hole punch
  • Flower stem
  • Template
  • Scalpel, scissors or cutting machine

Steps:

  1. Cut the shapes that will form the dahlia: you can use the template with the cutting machine, or print it, bring the design back to the cardboard and then cut with scissors or a scalpel.
  2. With the handle of the brush, curl the smaller shapes, those that will form the central part of the flower.
  3. Paste these shapes one above the other with the hot glue, first the smallest, then the biggest.
  4. Always with the aid of handle of the brush, model all the petals as showed in the picture.
  5. Once the petals are attached, try to lift them from the centre and repeat these steps for all the other shapes.
  1. Now we are ready to arrange the dahlia.
  2. Put the hot glue in the centre and also at the junction of the petals, then overlap the first shapes assembled.
  3. Continue with the other shapes, always put the hot glue from the same direction.
  4. This is how the finished dahlia looks (there are 3 pics with different points of view). With both the hands, try to mold the flower into a spherical shape. If needed, form the petals with your fingers.
  5. Now make a little hole with the punch.
  6. Put a drop of hot glue and insert the flower stem.
  7. The dahlia is complete!
  8. Then do the others with different shades of colours…
  9. … and arrange them with some dried field herbs!

Hi Silvia Raga! 

Would you briefly summarise for our readers who you are, where you come from and what you do?

Hello to sisterMAG’s readers, I’m Silvia Raga, the soul and the hands behind Giochi di Carta, an Italian creative studio where I conceptualize and realise unique decoration, furnishing accessories and props with paper.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Oh, thank you for this question! When I was child I dreamed of being an artist. I have come a long way before really understanding which path to choose, and now I can say that I’m doing exactly what I loved to do as a child because my work is a mix of drawing, sculpture and origami!

How long have you been making paper flowers and when did you start sharing your creations on Instagram as well?

I started making paper flowers in about 2016, but my business Instagram account was born in 2018.

When did you start your web shop and what can people find there?

I started running my web shop in 2020 because Covid-19 has stopped all events and workshops, which made up a large part of my turnover.

What did you do before? What were your different steps until you got to what you do today?

Before Giochi di Carta I was an illustrator for children for about ten years. At the beginning I kept both activities at the same time, and in fact my paper production was very influenced by illustration and the world of kids. With each commission I grew, learned and above all I understood where I wanted to go and what makes me really happy and fulfilled.

What is your favourite flower and why?

My favourite flower is the water lily. I find it beautiful, and I really like the meaning it carries.

What do you wish for the future? What new projects might you have coming up? Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to?

In the future I would like make more window displays. And my big aspiration would be to have a small shop with my creations.