OKEECHOBEE — After seeing a unique craft on TikTok, a local woman decided to try her hand at it.

Lilian “Lilly” Medrano graduated from Okeechobee High School in 2023 and spends her days working for a company called Ecotech Manufacturing where she fills cannisters with various gases like canned air, air fresheners and more. Lilly usually works on the inventory side of the business, counting pallets.

However, her evenings and weekends are spent making ribbon rose bouquets. Lilly said it took her about a year of practice to learn the skill, and at first, she did not charge for them. “I just wanted to challenge myself,” she said.

She explained she must use a particular size ribbon and makes each petal separately, hot gluing each one to the center piece.

Her dad, Israel, noticed how much she enjoyed making the roses and how talented she was. He began posting pictures on Facebook and holding raffles with a limited number of spots available, each one costing just a couple dollars. After all the spots were filled, a winner was drawn, and that person walked away with a beautiful silk bouquet for only the cost of entry.

Now, Lilly takes orders for her bouquets. She has made them for birthdays, graduations and as wedding gifts, but so far has not made a bride’s bouquet. “I’d love to though,” she said. “I think that would be a lot of fun.”

Lilly also makes miniature rose keychains. She said she just wanted to try something new. She said the entire process is difficult, and she burns herself on the glue gun multiple times while making each rose. “It’s worth it though,” she said.

To order a bouquet or a keychain, visit her Facebook page, Lilly’s Floral Creations or send her a message on Instagram at lillys.floralcreations

She charges $3 per rose or $25 for a keychain.