The life of a flower may be fleeting, but Kimberly Griffith’s small-batch jewelry aims to subvert that contingency.
The founder, Griffith, RVA Petal Partycelebrates nature, as her motto says, “one petal at a time” through a diverse selection of homemade and locally sourced floral ornaments designed to inspire joy.
“I meet people at the market, [and] Many people… are just sentimental. [about flowers]“They look at the flowers and tell me stories. [like] They remember that their grandmother had this flower. ”
Northside-based Griffith incorporates plants into accessories such as cufflinks, bolo ties, hair clips and bracelets. Butterfly-shaped hoop earrings are her signature item. To create these, Mr. Griffiths bends stainless steel wire into the shape of a butterfly and encapsulates a collage of real flowers, including bits of Queen Anne’s lace, cherry blossoms, daisies, and ferns, in resin. “I love them so much,” she says.
Griffiths also incorporates three-dimensional flowers into wearable products, but this requires a more complex manufacturing process. Rather than crushing the flowers, Griffiths dries them with silica to remove moisture while preserving their original shape and texture. This technique creates sculptural jewelry such as life-sized daffodil earrings and a deceptively lightweight orchid necklace.
Griffiths’ journey into plant research began after she lost her job in the restaurant industry during the coronavirus pandemic. She began gardening in her free time and soon earned a degree in horticulture from Reynolds Community College. During her floral design course, she discovered how to combine her love of jewelry and flowers, which ultimately led to the creation of RVA Petal Party in 2022.
The fruits of Griffith’s creativity demonstrate the artist’s meticulous attention to detail. Look closely at each earring or other accessory and you’ll discover its hidden secrets.
“I really like small details,” says Griffiths. “The more you look, the more you see. What looks like a normal flower, but if you look closely, you’ll see little pieces…like a cute, special little flower in the middle.”
Artists sell their works in various regional markets, including: Anyforka rotating music and art showcase, and Lakeside Farmers Market similarly muse me decoration At Forest Hill. Griffith also offers custom floral preservation work for special events.
Source: Shopping & Style – richmondmagazine.com
