How this artist's 3D paper flowers made it into Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza's music video, Terang

Latifa’s 3D flowers served as the backdrop for pop singer Siti Nurhaliza’s music video, 'Terang'. Photo: Handout

Paper flower artisan and author Latifa Husna Mat Lajis encourages Malaysians – especially those who have been unable to work or have suffered a loss of income during the pandemic – to upskill themselves and start anew.

“Many Malaysians have been retrenched, received salary cuts and have not been able to work during the MCOs. It saddens me when I hear of many people who can’t put food on the table.

“It is important to upskill ourselves. People can learn a new skill on social media or improve on their skills and turn their hobbies into something that is income-generating,” says Melaka-based Latifa in an email interview.

The Internet, she says, is an avenue not only to learn useful skills but also a way for crafters to increase their visibility. Social media platforms have become especially valuable during the pandemic as they allow people to learn new things while being confined mostly at home.

“There are many virtual lessons are offered on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. E-learning is the way forward, and people should adopt newer learning methods to keep themselves up to date. This is part of the new normal.

“Through social media platforms, people – especially crafters – can not only improve their knowledge but they can also introduce their products to the public and promote it,” explains the mother of one.

Husna says paper crafting is a good source of income. Photos: Latifa Husna Mat Lajis

Although Latifa has over 40 years experience in crafting, she continues to stay abreast of the latest trends and new techniques by watching video tutorials on social media. She has joined several crafting groups on Facebook and Pinterest too.

“I am always humbled to see the artistic skills of crafters from countries like Vietnam,Thailand, and Romania. These crafters are willing to share their tricks and tips to help other crafters improve our skills,” says Latifa, who is in her 50s.

She is the author of two books – Kraf Bunga Daripada Beg Plastik (Crafting Flowers from Plastic Bags, 2011) and Variasi Seni Kraf Tisu (Tissue Craft Variations, 2015). Her books can be found at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall library.

The mother of one encourages people to venture into paper flower crafting as it is a lucrative business.

“Scissors, colour paper and a glue gun, are the main items you need in paper flower crafting and they aren’t expensive. Also, there is a high demand for paper flowers, often used as fillers in chocolate bouquets, birthday cakes, decorations for photoshoots, and wedding backdrops,” says Latifa.

The former teacher launched her home-based flower craft business in 2006. In 15 years, Latifa has worked on hundreds of weddings where she’d decorate the wedding dias or create a floral backdrop. Her work has also appeared in a TV commercial.

Flower crafting requires patience and a fine eye for detail. It’s therapeutic too.

Last year, she chalked her most significant milestone when her signature paper roses were featured in singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza’s music video for her song, Terang. On Instagram, she shares photos of her artistic creations, tutorials on crafting paper roses, orchids and peonies and floral arrangements using fresh flowers.

One of her most creative and challenging wedding bouquets featured the fantasy milla flower, from video game Star Wars Episode I: The Gungan Frontier.

Over the years, she has attended several flower crafting workshops by the Malaysian Institute of Art and interior design courses at the Centre for Advanced Design in Kuala Lumpur. Even though she turns to social media for ideas, she still refers to her collection of books by Japanese crafters Yoshiko Hase and Megumi Hase for added inspiration.

Latifa has loved flowers and craft since she was young.

As a child, she used to help her relatives create Malay wedding door gifts like the bunga telur (flower eggs) and bunga manggar (wedding paraphernalia). Little did she know making these traditional items would ignite her interest in craft making.

Turned into reality: Millaflowers from 'Star Wars Episode I: The Gungan Frontier' transformed into a wedding bouquet.

“Back in the 1970s and 1980s, bunga manggar and bunga telur were handmade. There was so much camaraderie and gotong royong (communal spirit) as villagers got together to help out during community events like weddings and festivals.

“These days, such gatherings are few and far between because wedding paraphernalia of this sort are readily available in shops and online,” says Latifa, who also crafts flowers using tissue paper and plastic bags.

For Latifa, crafting paper flowers is a great stress reliever that helps her to stay calm.

“Flower crafting requires patience and a fine eye to detail. It’s therapeutic too. There’s a sense of accomplishment whenever I complete a project, and this helps to boost my confidence that I can achieve more.

“I hope people who have lost their jobs will try new skills and hopefully make a business from it. Most importantly, don’t give up, even if you fail on your first attempt,” Latifa concludes.