A primary medium of this cultural reliance was the construction of intricate paper flower arrangements. This practice, largely sustained by women within the camps, relied on a complex interplay of available and improvised materials. This included found resources such as magazine pages, catalog paper, and even the colorful lining within fruit crates. However, not all materials were improvised—some individuals were able to access or purchase crepe paper, silk scraps, and other craft supplies through camp canteens, mail orders, or prewar belongings. This range allowed for varying levels of intricacy and realism, from resourceful constructions to highly refined floral forms that drew on existing artistic knowledge and cultural traditions.
Hold the bottom of the piece of paper with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, open a pair of scissors and hold one blade pinched between your fingers. Put a petal in between your thumb and the scissor blade. Starting where the petal meets the bottom of the paper, pinch pull the paper against the scissor blade and your thumb at an angle gently. The petal should be curled when you're done. Repeat this for each petal. When you have the curled pages, wrap them around the stem. The smaller pages should be closer towards the center of the flower, and the larger pieces should be used for the outside of the flower.
