Tell us a bit about Wild Hive
Hello! I’m Bee Watson and Wild Hive is the name of my paper flower studio based in Exeter, Devon. We’ve been running for 5 years and I’m a self-taught artist / creative business owner. I started designing and selling handmade crepe paper flowers to family and friends which then grew into designing installations, working on social and environmental awareness projects and teaching workshops at botanical gardens and flower shows. When we had to find a new way of working to get through lockdown, I ran regular online classes and developed the paper flower kits. The craft kits are what led to this lovely collaboration with Kettle’s Yard.
Tell us more about your studio and ways of working
I’m all about finding ways of sharing this gorgeous craft with people. Wherever possible I create the templates for the designs by deconstructing real flowers, sketching the elements and then putting them back together in paper format. I specialise in teaching people of all creative abilities to make their own beautiful paper blooms and invite you to take some time out for yourself to switch off and enjoy all that flower making using this amazing, high grade, sustainably sourced crepe paper has to offer!
What inspired your Kettle’s Yard range/product?
The Paper Cyclamen Kit is inspired by one of the popular paintings in Kettle’s Yard collection: Winifred Nicholson’s Cyclamen and Primula. It is located in the downstairs extension of the House, the painting is one of a group of still-life works made in the early 1920s, which the artist described as “sunlight in white paper”. We have matched the crepe paper colours in the pack as closely as we could with the palette of the painting so you can recreate the very flowers that inspired this piece of art.
Why did you want to collaborate with Kettle’s Yard?
Everyone I’ve ever heard speak about Kettle’s Yard does so with a real fondness. It holds a special place in the heart of lots of people and I can understand why! I particularly love the tradition of integrating seasonal fresh flowers in the House alongside the artworks and natural / found objects – it adds another level of beauty to the experience.
If you had to buy yourself a gift from the Kettle’s Yard shop, what would you choose?
It would have to be The Very Less Bottle Vase collection. I always have more flowers than vases, they are right up my street and would fit in very well in the studio!
Shop Wild Hive
Wild Hive is the studio of paper flower artist, Bee Watson. Wild Hive work with high grade crepe paper to design and make hyper-real paper flowers inspired by live flora and foliage.