Most people associate the making of artificial flowers with soft and delicate materials such as paper, silk and feathers. But in the hands of Taiwan's skilled craftsmen, even a hard and rough substance such as wood can be turned into lifelike blooms.
The first person to make wooden flowers in Taiwan, Tien Yun-hsiang, explained that wooden flowers are made completely by hand. The secret lies in using extremely thin wood shavings, 50 of which are needed to make a single flower, complete with bloom and leaves. After being placed in molds to shape them, the shavings are dyed and coated with lacquer before being assembled into the final product.
"Careful attention is paid to making the wooden flowers resemble the original. In fact, natural wood from the juniper tree is a more suitable raw material for making flowers than plastic or silk," Tien said.
The wooden flowers are reasonably easy to make. Several hundred different types can be produced with such simple implements as a plane, craft knife, scissors and a lathe. The cost is low and profits are high.
Tien developed his flowers when he was working for the government in 1957. As he helped with the task of building army barracks, he noticed that huge piles of shavings were left over. Although most were collected for firewood, Tien thought that they could certainly be used for something else. For six months he studied the wooden shavings, until his friends thought he must have gone mad. Finally, one day as he was working in a garden he noticed that the fallen rose petals looked something like the shavings. He had found his answer.
When he tried to make roses out of wood, however, he found the shavings broke as they were shaped into petals. He therefore switched to imitating African violets in a task that was to last for six months.
Realizing that his flowers were still too fragile, Tien experimented with laminating two shavings together. The result, a more durable and lifelike flower, eventually caught the eye of a local businessman. The two decided that wooden flowers were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also had great commercial potential. In 1970, a company was formed, and response was so good on export markets that 300 people were hired to produce the flowers.
But Tien's luck did not hold. He was unable to obtain a patent for the flowers, and soon many imitators appeared. Flowers which cost NT$8 were selling at NT$3, and rival companies began to lure away Tien's workers with higher salaries. "The result in the end was that prices fell so low that it was impossible to maintain quality. As conditions, worsened, I had no choice but to close up shop," Tien recalled.
Tired of the dog-eat-dog world of business, Tien went to work behind- the-scenes in the research and development department of a company designing new products. With his background in a war-ravaged county, Tien was used to making use of whatever materials were available. Examples are his wall and Christmas decorations, and a candle holder made of broken pebbles and scrap wood, which is selling well in West Germany. The entire product, including materials and labor, costs only NT$3 to make. Tien explained, "When I was young, life was very hard, running here and there. I often had to use garbage to make necessary items. Even though I am old now, and have no financial worries, I still like to use scrap materials to make useful products. Since anyone can afford to buy my products, I like to think I am helping to beautify people's homes and lives."
Not surprisingly, Tien's home is full of articles made from scrap. "I can buy a pound of scrap timber for only NT$1.50, and this is enough to make hundreds of small things. Even the necessary tools can be bought cheaply second hand. Metal bars, pliers and drills to make the molds can be bought for only NT$5 apiece," he said.
The head of the company Tien now works for, Chang Lien-feng, does not use scrap in the products he exports. Chang insists that quality be uniform and high. "We try to achieve low, but steady profits. With business of NT$7 million a year, the 10 percent profit level brings us in sufficient returns," Chang said.
[Picture Caption]
1. Undyed wooden flowers. 2. A step in the process of making chrysanthemums. 3. Individual flowers are first completed and then placed together in bunches. 4. It is easy to mistake wooden flowers for the real thing. 5. Tien Yun-hsiang and his wife making wooden flowers. 6. Wood shavings can be used to make all sorts of flowers.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
2. A step in the process of making chrysanthemums.
3. Individual flowers are first completed and then placed together in bunches.
4. It is easy to mistake wooden flowers for the real thing.
5. Tien Yun-hsiang and his wife making wooden flowers.
6. Wood shavings can be used to make all sorts of flowers.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Wherever they are placed wooden flowers liven up the room.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
Some of the many things Tien Yun-hsiang has fashioned out of refuse.
