Tell us about how Lille Syster came to be, and where the name came from!
Lille Syster started by accident. In 2011, I was looking for decorations for my sister’s bridal shower that I was hosting. I couldn’t really find anything, so I de- cided to make my own. As a kid, I had made lots of flowers out of wallpaper sample books. I was a fourth-grade teacher at the time, and I had lots of well-loved books from my classroom library, so I took some books and started making flowers. I made flowers on stems to put in vases, and garlands of flowers to hang.
Once my sister saw the flowers, she decided she needed them for her wedding. So I spent the next six months making thousands of flowers. After the wedding, I didn’t want to stop making them, so I opened an Etsy store. The first thing you have to do to open an Etsy store is come up with a name. I decided since I made the flowers for my little sister I would name the business after her. We’re Swedish so I went with the Swedish trans- lation of little sister: Lille Syster. It took four hours to get my first sale, and the business was born. At the time, there were not any paper flowers for sale on Etsy, so my creations were an instant hit.
Tell us about how Lille Syster came to be, and where the name came from!
Lille Syster started by accident. In 2011, I was looking for decorations for my sister’s bridal shower that I was hosting. I couldn’t really find anything, so I de- cided to make my own. As a kid, I had made lots of flowers out of wallpaper sample books. I was a fourth-grade teacher at the time, and I had lots of well-loved books from my classroom library, so I took some books and started making flowers. I made flowers on stems to put in vases, and garlands of flowers to hang. Once my sister saw the flowers, she decided she needed them for her wedding. So I spent the next six months making thousands of flowers. After the wedding, I didn’t want to stop making them, so I opened an Etsy store. The first thing you have to do to open an Etsy store is come up with a name. I decided since I made the flowers for my little sister I would name the business after her. We’re Swedish so I went with the Swedish trans- lation of little sister: Lille Syster. It took four hours to get my first sale, and the business was born. At the time, there were not any paper flowers for sale on Etsy, so my creations were an instant hit.
You host paper-flower classes. What might a guest expect at an event like that?
Our flower classes are about three hours long and include Lille Syster exclusive templates and all ma- terials. Our flower classes vary, but most include painting and dyeing the paper, cutting and molding the flowers into their shapes. Everyone is successful in our classes, and they are BYOB!
Tell us about the variety of paper flowers sold at the store, along with the price range.
I make all varieties of flowers. From greenery to big, beautiful blooms like garden roses and peonies. Most of my designs come from nature and special requests. I can often be found taking real flowers apart petal by petal and learning how they go to- gether. I then create the same flower out of paper. I sell arrangements that are premade and ready to go, but I also sell flowers by the bloom. Individual flower prices start at $1.50 each and go up to $15 each. Arrangements can range from $15 to over $250; however, we have lots of ready-to-go bouquets in the $25 price range.
Is there a design or style that continues to fly off the shelves?
My dresser bouquets have become a go-to item for my clients. I have ready-to-go bouquets wrapped in paper (much like a real bouquet) that clients often buy as gifts. They range in price from $15 to $40 and include lots of ooak [one-of-a-kind] flowers.
You host paper-flower classes. What might a guest expect at an event like that?
Our flower classes are about three hours long and include Lille Syster exclusive templates and all ma- terials. Our flower classes vary, but most include painting and dyeing the paper, cutting and molding the flowers into their shapes. Everyone is successful in our classes, and they are BYOB!
Tell us about the variety of paper flowers sold at the store, along with the price range.
I make all varieties of flowers. From greenery to big, beautiful blooms like garden roses and peonies. Most of my designs come from nature and special requests. I can often be found taking real flowers apart petal by petal and learning how they go to- gether. I then create the same flower out of paper. I sell arrangements that are premade and ready to go, but I also sell flowers by the bloom. Individual flower prices start at $1.50 each and go up to $15 each. Arrangements can range from $15 to over $250; however, we have lots of ready-to-go bouquets in the $25 price range.
Is there a design or style that continues to fly off the shelves?
My dresser bouquets have become a go-to item for my clients. I have ready-to-go bouquets wrapped in paper (much like a real bouquet) that clients often buy as gifts. They range in price from $15 to $40 and include lots of ooak [one-of-a-kind] flowers.
In addition to the paper flowers, what other products does the shop carry?
We carry all kinds of handmade in the USA gifts. We are known for our quirky cards. We carry many different small gift-type items—candles, jewelry, home goods. We also provide art classes, birthday parties and summer camps for kids.
What’s the best part about owning such a unique shop in Easton?
Easton is a vibrant, supportive community. I love meeting new people that are just discovering the city, but I also love my clients that have turned into dear friends.
In addition to the paper flowers, what other products does the shop carry?
We carry all kinds of handmade in the USA gifts. We are known for our quirky cards. We carry many different small gift-type items—candles, jewelry, home goods. We also provide art classes, birthday parties and summer camps for kids.
What’s the best part about owning such a unique shop in Easton?
Easton is a vibrant, supportive community. I love meeting new people that are just discovering the city, but I also love my clients that have turned into dear friends.