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<div>For fourteen years I've been turning paper napkins into flowers and handing them to strangers in Portland. No scissors, no glue, no tape, no wire. Just my hands.
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<div>You may have seen me at Guilders inside Powell's, where I've had a standing spot for years. Or on KING 5. Or somewhere among the 130,000 people who follow the work at @portlandflowerguy. I make the flowers, and I do close-up magic while I make them, because the two have always gone together for me.
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<div>383 people have supported this fundraiser since 2012, and we're $3,053 from the goal. After fourteen years I'd like to close it out, and keep doing the thing it paid for: spreading love, one flower at a time.
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<div>Every gift, whatever the size, goes into keeping this work alive: paper and supplies, getting to schools and events, and the time to keep making flowers for people who need one. Nothing is too small.
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<div>I send handmade flowers and thank-you notes to supporters as often as I can manage. This is one man tearing napkins by hand, so I can't promise a timeline or reach every single person, but I read every message and I'm grateful for every one of you.
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<div>If there's something specific you're after — a particular flower, the how-to guide, or the floating napkin trick — those live in my shop, where I can package them properly and actually get them to your door.
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<div>How it all started
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<div>What’s the #1 question people ask Arnold Drake World?
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<div>“How did YOU ever get started with this flower making hobby of yours?.”
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<div>Let's take it back to when World’s primary way of earning an income was car sales, on a car lot 8 to 13 hrs a day!
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<div>When times were slow, filling up that time could prove to be rather challenging.
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<div>One day while waiting for customers to arrive, World asked the Universe to bless him with a better way to support himself and help the ones he loved.
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<div>Soon after that, World received a gift...
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<div>A paper flower.
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<div>Hand made, elegantly crafted completely out of a napkin.
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<div>He went on the internet to see what was out there and to his surprise..!
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<div>He discovered there was nothing that gave clear and direct instructions on how to make paper flowers!
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<div>At first, he didn't recognize it.
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<div>But this was a blessing in disguise..
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<div>He just received a gift and a mission.
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<div>To transform plain pieces of soft paper towel into a beautiful rose flower and by doing so.
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<div>“Spread love one flower at a time.”.
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<div>He chose to follow his calling.
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<div>He found role models in other legendary artists.
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<div>His favorite?
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<div>Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and last but not least Fibonacci.
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<div>Each artist had a heavy influence on him for deciding how to visualize and fabricate a paper flower sticking with classic principles and formulas.
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<div>“ If you noticed in the pictures the flowers are arranged to start off one petal one leaf then progress to two petals, etc.”
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<div>By building a flower in that manner Arnold Drake World found a way to easily teach other artists his methods step by step.
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<div>The Rules Are Simple:
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<div>Use a one-ply napkin or paper towel.
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<div>Follow the four steps.
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<div>Only use your hands.
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<div>1. Tear your parts using only your hands.
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<div>2. Create a pattern.
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<div>3. Roll all outside exposed edges for your leaf and petals.
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<div>4. Wrap all your parts leaving nothing behind.
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<div>“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” - Picasso
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<div>Thank you for your support, all your funding goes to helping fuel Arnold Drake World’s mission:
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<div>“Spread Love with one flower at a time”
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<div>We will be expanding our online store, touring for events for schools and press, and hopefully, be able to meet you.
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<div>Make sure to pick one for yourself and someone you love.
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<div>Which one would you like?
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Anonymous

Melissa Strom

Sharing Love one flower at a time:)

Still $3,018 to go. Help us build momentum.