Connect With Nature Through Realistic Paper Flowers

Linda Hamilton is a paper artist and the owner of Daydream Flowers, based out of Almonte, Ontario. Her business started when she made a few giant paper flowers for a trade show display over 10 years ago. Over time and practicing her craft, her flowers have become more realistic and detailed. She uses various types of paper, wire, tape, and paint to create these remarkable sculptures and has had opportunities to exhibit her work both internationally and locally. 

Linda has sold her flowers in jars, bouquets, and single stems. Currently, she mounts them in shallow shadow boxes. These shadow boxes both protect the flowers and show them off. Linda’s mission is to create botanical sculptures that accurately represent real flowers and plants. Many people have strong emotional connections with flowers, and these connections are what Linda loves to explore through her botanical paper art. 

“My goal is to create work that connects people with the natural world and inspires them to reflect on that connection.” 

Linda's passion for flowers keeps her inspired. She likes to make as many different types as she can. Her hope is to continue to create flowers and plant sculptures for a long time – she is full of ideas! 

After selling her work on Etsy for many years, Linda figured it was time to have her very own online store. She signed up for the ShopHERE powered by Google program, where she was paired with one of Digital Main Street’s eCommerce Coordinators.

At first, Linda wasn’t sure how her unique and one-of-a-kind art would translate into her own online storefront. Her eCommerce Coordinator encouraged her from the start and gave suggestions, some that Linda hadn’t even thought about, on how to make her business work on it’s own domain. 

Working with Digital Main Street’s ShopHERE powered by Google program encouraged Linda to take better photos, work on her branding, create a logo, and write copy for her website. All of these were tasks she had been meaning to do for years but kept putting on the back burner.

“I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have some help with this. Now I can pass on my web address with pride!”

Making a website with ShopHERE was a wonderful experience for Linda. It encouraged her to take her business more seriously. It has made a huge financial impact for Linda and she has a newfound confidence to make connections and apply for opportunities she wouldn’t have otherwise.

“Art is so important at all times, but especially when people are feeling disconnected, afraid, lonely, or just unsure.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Linda was able to concentrate on a large series of wildflowers and joined a group of other artists to hold an in-person gallery show in July 2020. While they had to follow protocols carefully, she was so happy to invite people to see the gallery. After the show, she realized getting her work online would be a good way to continue reaching people with her artwork.

With the help of Digital Main Street’s free eCommerce support, Linda was given the information and guidance she needed to continue to update and maintain her website. She’s been working on her social media and learning how she can turn followers into customers. 

There is an increasing popularity of hashtags like #shoplocal and #supportsmallbusiness as small businesses are challenged by ever-changing circumstances. Linda feels that people have been very supportive of small artists and businesses over the past few months. In the summer months, she was pleased to be able to do so many custom orders. 

To see Linda’s incredible floral art pieces, check out her website: www.daydreamflowers.ca.

If you or someone you know is looking to create your own eCommerce storefront, you can sign up for the ShopHERE program here.