Questions we get asked a lot — and a few we wish people asked more often. If yours isn’t here, write to us. We answer our own email.
About the flowers
What are the flowers made from?
Real book pages. Every petal is cut from a page, curled by hand, and built onto the stem one at a time until it becomes a rose.
Not all of them come from books: the Van Gogh Starry Night roses and both I Love You roses are made on printed recycled paper.
So you cut up books?
We do, and we’re particular about which ones. Everything we work from is near the end of its reading life — well read, soft spines, worn covers, the signs of a book that has been enjoyed thoroughly. We spent years in used books before we ever made a flower, so we know the difference between a book with reading left in it and one without.
What will I see on the petals?
Your book — the one you chose. Not a generic page from something nobody can name.
The text runs left to right across the petals, the way it did on the page, so it reads. Whoever opens the box will know exactly which story they’re holding. That part we don’t shortcut.
What else shows depends on the title:
- With illustrations: Pride and Prejudice (Hugh Thomson), Alice in Wonderland (John Tenniel), Sherlock Holmes (Sidney Paget), Wizard of Oz (W. W. Denslow), Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Clarke), Dracula, Shakespeare
- Text and chapter titles: Anne of Green Gables, Wuthering Heights, The Count of Monte Cristo, Agatha Christie
- Little Women is its own case: one illustration per single rose, one in a Mini Bouquet, three in a Full Size Bouquet
A few titles have their quirks. Agatha Christie roses are cut from several of her books, so you’ll see her name and a spread of titles rather than one novel. Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe both come from collected volumes, so several story titles turn up.
Why do yours cost more than other book page flowers?
Because of the step most makers skip. Nothing here is machine cut. Every petal is cut, shaped and applied by hand, one at a time, which is the only way to choose what lands where — the title, the author’s name, the best of the illustrations.
It’s slower and far more labor intensive, and it’s part of why we’re not the cheapest book page roses you’ll find. It’s also the whole reason ours look like the book they came from, rather than merely bookish.
Is each one really one of a kind?
Yes, and it’s our favorite part. Every petal is cut, curled and placed by hand, so each rose is as unique and beautiful as the novel it’s cut from. The one in the photograph is simply the one we photographed — yours will be its own.
How long do they last?
Indefinitely, with reasonable care. No water, no wilting, no sad little pile of petals a week later. Care instructions come with every order — the short version is keep them out of direct sun and away from damp.
Sizes and what’s included
What sizes do the single roses come in?
- Small — about 3" across
- Medium — about 5" across
- Large — about 6" across
Every size stands about 12" tall on its green leafy stem.
What’s in a Full Size Bouquet?
Three roses in graduated sizes — one Large (about 6"), one Medium (about 5") and one Small (about 3") — each on its own green leafy stem. Finished, it stands about 12" tall and 10" wide.
What’s in a Mini Bouquet?
Six mini roses, each about 1½" across, on 6" green stems. The finished bouquet stands about 8" tall and 6" wide — small enough for a desk, a bedside table or a bookshelf, which is where most of them seem to end up.
Does it arrive ready to give?
Yes. Everything ships wrapped in tissue and tied with a bow, ready for gift presentation the moment the box opens. If it’s going straight on to someone else, you don’t need to do a thing to it.
Shipping
What does shipping cost?
Nothing. Free USPS Ground Advantage on every US order, with tracking — no minimum, and no exceptions for the small things.
How long will it take?
Orders are processed within 1–3 business days of being placed, depending on the time of year. Shipping then takes 3–7 days. You’ll get a notification with tracking the moment yours goes out.
Do you offer express shipping?
Not as a checkout option. “Express” means wildly different things depending on who’s selling it, and we’d rather give you one honest timeframe. But if you’re up against a date, write to us — we’ll tell you straight whether we can make it, and we can usually find a way.
Do you ship internationally?
Not yet. We’re US-only for now, with plans to open it up later.
Custom orders
Can I order something custom?
Yes, on orders over $50. A favorite book we don’t carry, a wedding, a particular color, something far larger than anything on the site — just ask. We’re happy to work with you, and the unusual ones are the ones we enjoy most.
There’s no self-serve custom option on the site, and that’s deliberate: the good ones always need a conversation first.
How does it work?
A 50% deposit at the time of order, and the remaining 50% when your flowers are ready to ship. Larger pieces usually run 4–6 weeks from the time we agree the details. Custom orders are final — no returns or exchanges — so we’ll make sure we both know exactly what we’re making before we start.
Orders and returns
Something’s wrong with my order.
Tell us within 14 days of delivery and we’ll put it right. We’d far rather hear about it than have you quietly live with it.
How do I reach you?
inquiries@literaryblooms.com or 503-888-2719 — and it’s one of us answering, not a help desk.
Literary Blooms
1217 SW Carson St.
Portland, OR 97219
Who we are
Literary Blooms is a mother and daughter team — Cherish and Lacy. We’re avid readers before we’re anything else, and we love transforming beloved novels into another art form for your home. Every flower is cut, curled and built by the two of us, which is why no two come out quite alike.