Welcome
I have always loved flowers. Flowers make me happy. So I left my job and studied Garden Design for 3 years at the amazing RHS Harlow Carr gardens in Harrogate. Best decision I ever made! I learned loads, met fab people and we built a gold-medal show garden! Realising that the best bit about garden design was the flowers I decided to focus on planting and floristry.
And then, one day, I started making a paper flower… then another … and another. Folly + Bird was born! I now design my own flowers, using the fresh flowers from my floristry work as my models. So my flowers, leaves and blossoms are incredibly realistic.
I now have this wonderful website where you can find all you need to learn to make your own wonderful flowers, foliage and bouquets. It has taken me years to gain the techniques and skills, and I take great pleasure in passing on this learning to you. I teach workshops all round the country too – and soon many of these will be available on-line. I still love going to markets to meet the public, show my flowers and bouquets and demonstrate my craft. I always have lots of oohs, aahs and questions!
I have a mailing list if you want to sign up to keep informed of new products, workshops and events – here.
16 May 2024New Workshop Announcement!
I am delighted to be partnering with The Land of Oak and Iron, Blaydon to offer a Paper Peony Posy Workshop, 10am – 1pm, Sunday 2nd June 2024.
Join me in an intricate workshop where you will learn to craft a stunning paper peony, daisy and fern which you will then arrange into a pretty posy.
You will learn key techniques including cutting, cupping, winding and inking. This is a great introduction to paper art and will give you a beautiful keepsake to decorate your home. All equipment and templates will be provided.
Tickets are £28 including all materials and a cup of tea or coffee. Book here
18 October 2024Dahlia Workshop and Christmas Loveliness…
Autumn leaves are turning crimson, amber and gold, and falling from the trees. I love autumn foliage and some of the Fall blooms are glorious - Rudbeckia, Anemones, Asters and of course, Dahlias.
Dahlias are the true jewel in the crown of Autumn, with their array of wonderful colours: deep berry garnets, brightest yellows, pulsating oranges, pinks and of course palest whites.
Why not create the joy of dahlias with a Folly + Bird workshop, using a huge arrange of Italian crepe papers, reflecting all the dahlia colours you find in nature? You will make at least one beautiful life sized dahlia and leaf to take home and display in a seasonal vase.
This workshop is taking place on Saturday 18th October at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. There are a few places left and you can book here:
Dashing Dahlias with Fiona McKeown | Sunderland Culture
It will be Christmas wreath time soon and we are already starting to design our unique, hand-made beauties. Favourites such as our signature Eucalyptus and Cedar will return too...we will send you some photographs as we prepare to keep you feeling festive!