The infinifleurs™ story began on a trip to Paris years ago, when I strolled into a shop in Montmartre and saw some exquisite painted plastic flowers sold by the stem. I couldn’t afford even one, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about them.
Fast forward 10 years, one husband and two kids later. The winter holidays were fast approaching, and my preschooler’s entourage of teachers, babysitters, and neighborhood friends totaled a whopping 17 on our gift list. Meanwhile, the daily juggle of managing my son’s social schedule, caring for his new baby sister, and working a job left no time for shopping. That’s when I remembered those flowers in Montmartre, and — while the children napped — I started making my own fantasy flowers, using kitchen shears, wire, and plastic file folders from my local stationery store.
And they came out OK. Well, more than OK. Each day I walked out of our apartment building to deliver the bouquets. Each day heads turned, smiles flashed, and perfect strangers asked me where they could buy some. By the time I delivered the last gift, I was pretty sure I could start a business selling these quirky flowers.
So I did. My husband named it. My son works the credit card machine at craft shows. My daughter inspires. Production has evolved from late nights at the kitchen table snipping file folders with scissors to imported plastic and custom die-cuts. We hope you enjoy your infinifleurs—we have a lot of fun making them!
—Susan Illman, Founder