Do you want to learn how to turn your crafts into sold out workshops? Join the Crafts Workshops Academy IN THIS LINK
In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Nodlaig Caffrey, founder of The Paper Petal Studio in Ireland. Nodlaig specialises in creating breathtaking small and large-scale crepe paper flowers — from delicate bridal pieces to giant six-foot installations — and has built a creative business that now spans bespoke commissions, weddings, brand activations, corporate workshops, and an online academy.
Nodlaig shares the full story of how she went from leaving the corporate tech world in 2009 to raising her four children, before accidentally stumbling across a TV segment about crepe paper flowers in 2016 that completely changed her path. She talks honestly about the early years of self-teaching, the confidence shift that came with stepping back into business after years at home, and how local networks and mentoring helped her build a real business around her craft.
The conversation gets into the nitty-gritty of running a multi-stream creative business: how she structures her week around big milestones, how she pre-cuts templates with a cutting machine to make corporate workshops viable, the moment a TikTok video during COVID went viral and led to a DIY kit launching in five languages, and how she's now expanding into an online academy. Nodlaig also opens up about the perception challenges around paper flowers, the loneliness of doing it all solo, and the dream of one day opening her own gallery.
Whether you're a workshop host, a maker, or a creative entrepreneur navigating multiple revenue streams, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.
What We Cover in This Episode:
✎ Leaving the corporate world to raise four children
✎ Discovering crepe paper flowers by accident on TV
✎ The years of self-teaching, trial and error at the kitchen table
✎ Finding the right materials (and why Cartotecnica Rossi changed everything)
✎ Building confidence to re-enter the workforce as a business owner
✎ How local networks and enterprise office mentoring shaped her early years
✎ Using COVID as a time to restructure and grow her skills
✎ The LinkedIn post that led to her first London corporate workshop
✎ Why pre-cut templates make corporate workshops financially viable
✎ Structuring her week around milestones, content, and outreach
✎ Going viral on TikTok and turning it into a multi-language DIY kit
✎ The launch of The Paper Petal Studio Academy
✎ Building signature and premium wedding collections
✎ Why every creative needs a network (and permission to start)
✎ The dream of a gallery exhibition within the next year
Connect with Nodlaig & The Paper Petal Studio:
✎ Instagram: @thepaperpetalstudio
✎ TikTok: @thepaperpetalstudio
✎ Website: www.thepaperpetalstudio.ie
✎ LinkedIn: Nodlaig Caffrey
✎ Email: nodlaig@thepaperpetalstudio.ie
Resources for Your Workshop Business:
📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business
Stay Connected with Mariana:
🌎 Website: craftymariana.com
📷 Instagram: @craftymariana
📩 Get exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Let's Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email me at hello@craftymariana.com!
