Artificial flowers probably started to be made in Loka territory at the nun's monastery  in Škofja Loka. Especially in the first half of the 18th. century  Loka's  nuns of St. Clares were decorating wax statuettes of Jesus and Pilgrimage Mary with artificial flowers. After 1782 the Ursulines continued this practice. In the middle of the 19th. century two female floriculture masters, who were also decorating religious pictures and wax statuettes and making small garlands and bunches for various occasions, were active in the town. Loka territory was particularly known for unleavened  wedding cakes and little bread, decorated with artificial flowers. The last master of this trade was Marija Rupar (1867-1953) from Škofja Loka. Artificial flowers were made of fabric, paper or wax, occasionally from feathers. Making flowers from crepe paper was also an important cottage industry for some women. They were offering waxed paper flowers to hill farms, in exchange for money or food. People decorated their dwelling places, signs, crucifictions and church altars with them. They would also adorn themselves with small garlands and bouquets of paper flowers at Communion, Confirmation and a wedding. With a colourful 'pušeljèek' ('bouquet') boys also adorned themselves at enlistment. Mourning wreaths from artificial flowers accompanied them also on their last path, to the grave. In Žiri territory and at Železniki they also make artificial flowers with bobbin-work.

•  photo.: Artificial Flowers Collection (D/614)
•  photo.: Little Jesus from wax decorated with artificial flowers. A work of Loka's nuns of St. Clares, first half of the 18th. century.
•  photo.: Nuptial bouquet made of wire, paper and fabric. Škofja Loka, 1919. (D/193)