New Miniatures Feature: Shelly Norris' Enchanted Florals

Today I'm sharing an excerpt of a story I wrote about the amazing miniature "enamel" flowers made by artisan Shelly Norris.

(Pictured: Pink Peonies)

The story is in the just published Sept. '09 issue (#183) of DollsHouse and Miniature Scene (UK).

Shelly Norris, Creator of Enamel Flowers

By Christine Verstraete

There are miniaturists who have a way of making paper flowers look like the real thing. Then there is Coloradoan Shelly Norris who has the Midas touch, making gold trimmed flowers that look like delicate enamel or cloisonné.

Shelly says all it took was trying to make one flower using this decades old technique. Now she wouldn’t think of stopping.

Shelly’s fascination with what she calls enamel flowers began when she found directions in an old issue of the Nutshell News magazine.

(Pictured: Japanese iris, Miniatures Only auction)

She talked to another miniaturist who was no longer making the flowers and decided to give the technique a try.For the past four years, Shelly has developed a full range of enamel flowers in a range of colours, sizes and varieties.

She sells the flowers individually for gardens, as plants, in pots, or for decorative pieces under the name Enchanted Florals by Shelly. She has also used the flowers to decorate her own handmade hats with great success.

The flowers have a wonderful, stained glass sheen and a delicate glow that can’t be matched by paper or clay flowers, no matter how skillfully made. They range from the always popular irises and tulips, to lovely peonies, dramatic roses, poppies, and amazing trellises full of climbing wisteria.

* Continue reading rest of partial excerpt at DollsHouse and Miniature Scene. The issue also includes Shelly's fantastic tutorial to make your own miniature enamel flower for a doll necklace.

See more of Shelly's Work:

* Shelly's blog: Enchanted Florals

* Her Twist Again Floral classes