For sale: daffodils, lilies, hydrangeas and much more! But as you look closer, you will find that these are not regular flowers. Intricately twisted pipe cleaners curl into bright loops, forming carefully constructed flowers crafted by none other than sophomore and business owner Nikita Kulkarni.
Kulkarni began making flowers out of pipe cleaners this past summer as a way to pass the time. Throughout the process, Kulkarni’s mother has been a major source of support, helping her cut pipe cleaners, make petals and assemble bouquets, according to Kulkarni.
“My mom loves arts and crafts, so she was there right alongside me, [making flowers] with me and learning everything I was learning at the same time,” Kulkarni said. “We both motivated each other. My mom has helped me through the tedious process of making these flowers.”
With a bouquet taking anywhere from three to six hours, making the flowers is no easy task. Nevertheless, managing a business has caused Kulkarni to develop better marketing and management skills, according to close friend and sophomore Hailey Chang.
“I think this has definitely taught her how to manage and scale a business,” Chang said. “She’s very efficient at making everything, and she has streamlined the whole process in this really impressive way. I think she’s done a great job at taking this rough idea of pipe cleaner flowers, and actually being able to manage all her inventory and orders and figure out exactly how to produce and market them.”
As demand for Kulkarni’s flowers has grown, customization has become central to the business, with customers requesting designs using reference images and personalized color schemes. To achieve these details, Kulkarni applies eyeshadow to the petals, creating blended, nuanced hues, according to customer and junior Ren Tabata.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s a craft or something handmade, but it’s more professional,” Tabata said. “The cuts are very exact, and it doesn’t have glue bleedings. It’s just a real product, and it’s really done professionally, so I think that’s part of why I am a repeat customer. Consistent quality is what I look for.”
Kulkarni has sold flowers for events ranging from prom to the OC South Asian Student Association culture show. As her business grows, Kulkarni remains committed to the quality of her products.
“I think when you first see [the flowers], it’s very impressive, just because you see how detailed and colorful and well-made they are,” Chang said. “When you make them, you realize how much work, effort, detail and dedication truly goes into it. It’s just so amazing that she’s able to make these and produce them on such a large scale for so many people.”
