Hand-painted sola wood flowers became the foundation of a creative practice—showing how intention, time, and craft can grow into a sustainable livelihood.
In early 2020, I was preparing for my wedding like so many other brides. I had chosen sola wood flowers because they fit my budget, my aesthetic, and my desire for something lasting. Then the pandemic hit, and my wedding was canceled.
What I didn’t expect was that the boxes of flowers sitting in my home would become the start of a creative practice that reshaped my career.
At the time, I wasn’t trying to build a business. I was trying to process disappointment. I began hand painting the flowers at my kitchen table, experimenting with color, texture, and arrangement simply as a way to make something meaningful out of an abrupt loss. That small act of making became a steady creative outlet during a period when very little felt stable.
Turning materials into meaning
Sola wood flowers are often discussed in terms of affordability or sustainability, but for me, they became a medium for problem-solving and expression. Because each flower starts neutral, it invites interpretation. Color choices, brush techniques, and construction methods all shape the final outcome.
Over time, I became more intentional about my process. I learned how to layer paint for depth, how to balance softness with structure, and how to design pieces that felt personal rather than mass-produced. What began as informal experimentation slowly turned into a disciplined practice.
Samantha Friedrich, founder of Sola Flowers Sam.
That distinction matters for craft business owners. Materials alone don’t create value. The value comes from how you use them, how you develop skill over time, and how you connect process to purpose.
Growing quietly before growing publicly
For several years, this work lived alongside my corporate job. I designed evenings and weekends, building slowly without pressure. That pace allowed me to refine my style and understand what people responded to without rushing into scale.
This period taught me an important lesson: growth doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Many craft businesses feel pressure to expand quickly, but quiet consistency builds stronger foundations. Repetition improves quality. Time clarifies direction.
I wasn’t chasing trends. I was learning what I could realistically sustain as a maker working from home.
When creative work becomes a safety net
In 2025, I was laid off from my corporate role. Like many others, I faced sudden uncertainty. What surprised me most was that the creative outlet I had built during a previous setback had quietly become a viable path forward.
The skills I developed during those early years mattered more than I realized. I understood my materials, my workflow, and my limits. I knew how long things took. I knew what I could promise and deliver. That knowledge allowed me to step into my creative business full time with clarity instead of panic.
For craft business owners, this highlights the value of skill-building even before monetization feels urgent. Creative practices can become resilience tools. They don’t just generate income. They generate options.
Hand-painted sola wood flowers, transformed through layering, texture, and intentional design.
Lessons for craft business owners
Looking back, there are a few takeaways I wish I had understood earlier:
- Creative work can start as coping and still become viable
- Skill development is a form of investment
- Slow growth builds durability
- Materials matter less than how you use them
- Home-based businesses are legitimate businesses
Craft businesses don’t have to look like warehouses or large teams to be impactful. Many successful operations begin in spare rooms, garages, and kitchen corners. What matters is consistency, intention, and respect for the craft itself.
Full circle
Today, I still work with sola flowers, but my relationship with them has changed. They represent continuity. What began as a response to loss became a steady practice, then a business, and eventually a livelihood.
The canceled wedding wasn’t the ending I expected. It turned out to be the beginning of something else entirely.
Samantha Friedrich
contributor
Sam is the artist and 2020 bride behind Sola Flower Sam. What started as leftover wedding flowers and a creative outlet during lockdown has blossomed into a full-time passion for creating handmade wood flowers for brides across the Austin area.
