Lockdown hobby leads to orders from around the world, including from RuPaul Drag Race contestant, for Sutterton woman

A Sutterton woman who took up rosette-making as a hobby during lockdown now has an international operation to her name, with past customers including a drag queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
By David Seymour
Published 23rd Apr 2021, 19:12 BST
Updated 23rd Apr 2021, 20:06 BST
Kahmora Hall, of RuPaul's Drag Race, with Ros' Rosette.Kahmora Hall, of RuPaul's Drag Race, with Ros' Rosette.
Kahmora Hall, of RuPaul's Drag Race, with Ros' Rosette.

Initially, Ros was just helping out a friend who was struggling to get hold of a rosette for a virtual dog show during lockdown.

Utilising her interest in crafts, in particular kanzashi (which involves folding fabric to make petals and ultimately flowers), Ros came to the aid of her friend, making her first-ever rosette.

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“But me being me, I wanted to do something a little bit more special, bigger, and better than just a standard rosette,” she said.

Some more examples of Ros' work.Some more examples of Ros' work.
Some more examples of Ros' work.

Rose soon found a market for her creations (the first one she put on Etsy sold within 30 seconds) and not just among dog show organisers.

“Instead of cards, people are turning to my rosettes for weddings, congratulations, baby gender reveals, a marriage proposal, even a drag queen who was in RuPaul’s Drag Race! Every conceivable reason including Santa’s Good List and every corner of the world,” she said.

The drag queen in question was Season 13 contestant Kahmora Hall, who contacted Ros via her Etsy page.

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Kahmora wanted a rosette inspired by the US flag, but big enough to cover a picture of then president Donald Trump on her dress.

Ros Reynolds, of Ros Rosettes.Ros Reynolds, of Ros Rosettes.
Ros Reynolds, of Ros Rosettes.

While the rosette did not go on to be featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Kahmora shared it on Instagram in the run-up to November’s elections with a credit to Ros. That post achieved more than 9,200 ‘likes’, but its follow-up, where the rosette had been removed to reveal the picture of Trump and a less than supportive message towards his re-election, gained 33,800-plus ‘likes’.

Speaking of her creations, Ros said: “Each one is individual and unique to the colours and theme wanted. I guess that is why Kahmora Hall came to me – she had very specific needs and the big rosette companies simply are not geared up for big, one-off rosettes.”

She added: “For someone with no confidence, just doing these to get someone out of a jam, taking it up as a hobby, its been an amazing journey.”

You can find Ros Rosettes at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RosRosettes and www.facebook.com/rosrosettes

Related topics:Donald Trump