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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How it all started

What’s the #1 question people ask Arnold Drake World?

“How did YOU ever get started with this flower making hobby of yours?.”

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!

When times were slow, filling up that time could prove to be rather challenging.

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.

Soon after that, World received a gift...

A paper flower.

Hand made, elegantly crafted completely out of a napkin.

He went on the internet to see what was out there and to his surprise..!

He discovered there was nothing that gave clear and direct instructions on how to make paper flowers!

At first, he didn't recognize it.

But this was a blessing in disguise..

He just received a gift and a mission.

To transform plain pieces of soft paper towel into a beautiful rose flower and by doing so.

“Spread love one flower at a time.”.

He chose to follow his calling.

He found role models in other legendary artists.

His favorite?

Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and last but not least Fibonacci.

Each artist had a heavy influence on him for deciding how to visualize and fabricate a paper flower sticking with classic principles and formulas.

“ If you noticed in the pictures the flowers are arranged to start off one petal one leaf then progress to two petals, etc.”

By building a flower in that manner Arnold Drake World found a way to easily teach other artists his methods step by step.

The Rules Are Simple:

Use a one-ply napkin or paper towel.

Follow the four steps.

Only use your hands.

1. Tear your parts using only your hands.

2. Create a pattern.

3. Roll all outside exposed edges for your leaf and petals.

4. Wrap all your parts leaving nothing behind.

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” - Picasso

Thank you for your support, all your funding goes to helping fuel Arnold Drake World’s mission:

“Spread Love with one flower at a time”

We will be expanding our online store, touring for events for schools and press, and hopefully, be able to meet you.

Make sure to pick one for yourself and someone you love.

Which one would you like?