This is officially the greatest invention since, the iPhone. I recently was gifted this awesome machine for my birthday. As if I needed another expensive hobby, I am really wondering why I never bought this thing before. All the t shirts, makeup bags, stickers, labels etc I have purchased over the years. I will be updating you on this journey with me. I will be making some fun makeup bags as well as some art for the studio etc. Although I am excited to share with you my crafts while searching online all the HOW TOs I came across the Pinterest OG of Paper Floral Ninja, like the ONE who made it famous, is THE one and only BALUSHKA.
I would like to tell you a little story. Those of you who have been to my studio LUCKY CAT BEAUTY have seen my dear friend Balushka Paper Floral Artistry & everywhere in my house. KHRISTYNA BALUSHKA was one of the most inspiring & creative people I have ever met. She was also a fellow creative & entrepreneur. We started our companies around similar times and they both grew together. Often times we would not speak for a few weeks but we would get together & it was like no time has passed. Sometimes we would sit together and do nothing and just clack away on our computers, just being content in each others company. We laughed, drank, chain smoked, celebrated, cried and most importantly spent quality time with each other. She taught me so much about what a true friend really means. In every sense of the word. I am getting pretty teary typing this because it makes me sad and miss my friend so much.
On a super rainy July 4th, she called me and told me she had a rare terminal cancer. Cancer. Cancer? I was in shock. "...wtf, you're the healthiest person I know. Miss organic health nut!? CANCER? You're 33 years old. She said come over. NOW.
This cancer , endocrine carcinoma-that was most likely going to kill her. It was stage 4 already. She's dying...and fast. That evening she told be she had only known about two weeks and I was one of the first few outside her immediate family that knows.
Processing this information,sitting in a sea of paper flowers in progress, I glance at the reading material beside her. She had a copy of Steve Jobs book about his cancer and told me about it his journey. His cancer was similar, except hers was even more rare than his. She was a newly wed, and instead of planning her future she was making her end of life plans.
It was one of those moments in life I will never forger. It that time of shock and sadness She was so strong and brave. We laughed that this giant order better get to Hong Kong in time so they can hurry up and knock it off so she can pass on her legacy. Se always know they were going to gt knocked off. She knew that her art, was special. I helped her cram for hours before getting these hand made pieces of art put together. Balushkas Paper Flowers were precise, exact, carefully and painstakingly created for beautiful installations and special events. Each one is embossed with her logo with a special paper weight that she ordered custom and massive enough that no little Cricut machine could match.
I am telling you this because every single day I wake up, I am proud too have her beauty in my life, home and office. Handmade by her. Balushkas art, the love of her craft, her determination and strong drive with passion for life reminds me that every day is a gift and to make your mark on it. When you do something, do it all the way. I know this is why we were such great friends so fast for many years.
I hope that when getting your makeup or brows done, you can look up at my flower installations and see her art you will think of her. To tell you the truth, those are her rejects up there too. Tiny dents, scratches , dings, you name it. But to me they were perfect, just like us. Perfect, fragile and one big creative hot mess. I will be happily thinking of her every time I craft something on this damn Cricut Machine saying Thank you Balushka I love you & miss you!
I added a tag for you below, to check out this little gadget. Happy Paper Flower Makin!
Follow Balushka on Instagram and check out her website. Her family still keep the flowers churnin @paper_floral_artisty Email orders to contactme@balushka.com