Hi, my name is Pooja and this is my self-taught portfolio of handmade flowers. My love for this hobby began when my dearest friend, Sarah, was getting married and I volunteered to be in charge of her wedding cake. A search online showed no shortage of gorgeous tiered cakes with cascades of flowers.
I sent scores of images to Sarah and she said “No!” She was not having flowers on her wedding cake. Sarah is trained in floral design and wasn’t keen to have any chance of getting bugs or pesticides on her cake. Not many folks know that some popular real flowers you see on cakes like lilies and baby's breath are actually toxic. But I was sadder than Eeyore when Sarah said no. I couldn’t get the images of these cakes with flowers out of my head. Then I saw a description that said ‘sugar flower’! Wait, what?
And so began my research into sugar flowers and I went down a rabbit hole. I’m not a baker, heck I’m not even much of a cook but the patience and practice that is necessary to make realistic flowers holds my attention to this day. I am always trying to make a better version or a different version of the flowers. I take pictures of flowers whenever I see them and store them in my flower library.
I transitioned to making my flowers in cold porcelain - also called air-dry polymer clay in 2021 and I teach in this medium in art schools and sometimes online. I offer masterclasses to bakers and sugar artists to take their skill to the next level.
I make some of my own flower cutters and I am also experimenting with silicone to make my own veiners and molds. I’ve dabbled in making a few things that aren’t flowers, like Baby Yoda (yes, yes I did) and Sea Slugs and Corals (don’t ask). I’m just happy to learn something new everyday.
I was trained in Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design in Manhattan and ran my family’s international clothing business from my late teens till the business retired in 2016. By then I had already decided to switch careers to work as a marketer in a niche field for the love of one of my other hobbies.
I teach classes to share my joy in this craft. I am available for one on one classes in person.
The creative side of life has always been my focus. I paint, I make flowers, I work for love.
Thanks for stopping by.
Pooja