floral preservation
What can I say, I’m a woman of many passions! And they all seem to be related to preserving and documenting special memories. I began pressing flowers and foliage the same year that I picked up my first camera, and ever since then I became obsessed with documenting moments and the beauty I saw all around me. What started as pressing flowers in a book to document my travels, has transformed into preserving and creating incredibly meaningful (and practical) wedding keepsakes for my couples.
one-of-a-kind floral heirlooms
preserving memories with
I create art keepsakes from your wedding or elopement day memories
dark whimsy - nostalgic -
timeless - vintage inspired
dark whimsy - nostalgic - timeless - vintage inspired
My style has been described as
OR LEAST THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD.
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT IT SPEAKS TO YOU.
or least that's what i've been told.
all that matters is that it speaks to you.
Side and accent table
pressed frame
Round or oval hanging display
what i offer
Let' get into it
Earrings or necklace
add-on items - Complete the set
ring holder
candle holder
Bottle stopper
Items only available with a main item or a $500 minimum order.
Large Pressed frame
Pressed frames are limited to bouquets with small to mid-sized blooms and rich variety.
PRICING
Reduced rate for my photo couples.
all collections are custom-made and cost varies by items selected and piece size.
Side tables range from $1400 - $1800
pressed wall displays range from $575 - 700
side tables range from $1400 - $1800
Limited to bouquets with small to mid-sized blooms and rich variety
resin-based wall displays range from $800 - $1200
SUSTAINABILITY
as a floral preservation artist
Floral preservation is in itself all about sustainability. It’s taking something that will perish and giving it new life. But like any art form, there are still practices to ensure it is being done in a sustainable way. Check out the many ways I ensure an environmentally-friendly process.
Weddings can be wasteful. But they don't have to be. That's why I joined Emerald Hour. Emerald Hour is an organization that inspires and guides couples to create greener wedding days. If you're a couple looking to create a wedding day with a low environmental impact, then check out Emerald Hour's website and Green swaps guide!
Floral preservation is in itself all about sustainability. It’s taking something that will perish and giving it new life. But like any art form, there are still practices to ensure it is being done in a sustainable way. Check out the many ways I ensure an environmentally-friendly process in the FAQ below.
Here are some of the ways that I create with sustainability in mind!
Eco-friendly shipping
When shipping is unavoidable, be sure and choose a preservationist who provides eco-friendly shipping instructions and methods of mailing (reused packaging or recycled cardboard box, biodegradable mailers and packing peanuts etc.)
Re-useable supplies
Things like silicone gloves, work mat, mixing sticks and cups - supplies can be used again and again.
High-quality non-toxic resin
Use high quality non-toxic resin (ie. American-made Epoxy Resin that is regulated and produced in a facility with strict controls). These resins are food safe and have UV inhibitors that prevent early amber.
Non-toxic drying materials
Use high quality and non-toxic drying methods. I use pressing (re-using old cardboard box pieces between layers) and non-toxic silica gel. Some brands of silica gel contain cobalt chloride which is toxic and should be avoided. Silica gel is reusable. You buy it once and use it again and again. Once silica is saturated, simply bake it in the oven and it is usable again.
Shop local artists
Shipping has the highest environmental impact with floral preservation. If a couple is not local to their artist, they must follow strict rules to ship their flowers in a time sensitive manner. Similarly the finished product, often heavy and fragile, must also be shipped. By hiring local, this whole phase can be avoided (this also ensures quality! No need to risk damage in shipping fragile fresh flowers or final pieces).
Compost organic ingredients
Compost unused florals that are dying. Save floral wire that can be given to a florist and re-used.
Local supplies when possible
Purchase materials locally when possible. (jewelry components from local bead store, vessels from vintage and local shops when possible).
Frequently asked questions
HOW IS YOUR ART DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FLORAL PRESERVATIONIST ARTISTS?
Most couples book me for my distinctive style. I primarily work with black resin and my layout designs tend to be more wild and whimsical. My work has been described as nostalgic and vintage-inspired.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH YOU LIKE?
Step one is to book your wedding or event date as soon as you know you would like to preserve your florals. A signed contract and $250 deposit will secure your date. Prior to your wedding date, I’m happy to share tips on flowers that preserve best as well as handling tips during and after your wedding. 7 days before your wedding date, full payment is due. Come wedding day, if I’m your photographer, I'll simply take the flowers home with me. If not, I’ll provide detailed handling and shipping or drop off instructions to ensure the flowers make it to me in the best possible condition. I must receive floral’s within 24 to 48 hours, ideally as soon as possible. Then the fun begins! I immediately disassemble and begin the dehydration/preservation process(es). The process looks different, depending on the type of piece you have ordered. This process takes anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to complete. Once the flowers are fully dried, I assess for usability, and do any reconstruction or color correction as needed. Once the flowers are prepared, then on to the design phase followed by the creation phase - the time intensive process of resin layering, sanding, and polishing. Final collections are ready for shipping or pick-up within 4 months post-wedding.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK? (IS IT OK IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT YET?)
I recommend that you book as soon as you know that you are interested in having your florals preserved. Given the level of detail and time that goes into every piece of art, I take on a limited number and cap my bookings every month. But no worries at all if you don’t know which pieces you would like. All you need to reserve your date is a $250 deposit. And you have until a week before your wedding to decide on your main pieces and pay in full.
I WASN’T INITIALLY BUDGETING TO PRESERVE MY WEDDING FLOWERS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY CREATIVE BUDGETING IDEAS?
Yes! I love to work with my couples and I’m happy to set up payment plans. As collections aren’t delivered until 4 months after the wedding, there is plenty of time to space payments, before and after the wedding. I just require 50% before creation begins.
You could also consider adding floral heirloom preservation to your registry! Family and friends are more excited to help you purchase things like unique experiences and art for your home (then say dishes from Bed Bath and Beyond).
Yes! Oftentimes my couples will choose to use the add-on items, such as candleholders, or bottle stoppers, as gifts for their wedding party, parents and grand-parents. They also make for easy and meaningful first Christmas post-wedding gifts. Smaller items can sometimes be expedited.
CAN YOU CREATE PARENT OR WEDDING PARTY GIFTS?
No problem. I only require that you commit to a $500 minimum order. I am unable to make one off pieces as the preservation and creation time cost is too great.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT A CENTERPIECE HEIRLOOM BUT I ONLY WANT ADD-ONS
Nope! I preserve flowers from all kinds of special events - memorials, baby showers, anniversaries, ‘just because’ flowers, you name it.
DO YOU ONLY PRESERVE WEDDING FLOWERS?
Yes! I'm happy to work with pre-dried flowers. I’ll have you send me some detailed pictures or a video, showing me the state of your flowers. With this information, I can share my recommendation, for which types of pieces would work well. If there’s not a lot to work with sometimes I recommend using some filler. In general, you should expect more vintage style/aesthetic for these pieces.
CAN I PRESERVE MY PRE-DRIED FLOWERS?
You should expect a handmade, one of a kind, piece of art. All artwork is handmade with lots of love and care over several months of processes. Given this, you should expect minor imperfections which are inherent qualities of and natural occurrences in any resin art (ie. Minor air, bubbles, a little bit of nature or texture, pour lines visible from the side on open-sided pieces).
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT OF MY PIECE?
Yes! Black is my default color for my resin based work as it fits my style and aesthetic. But I can work with all kinds of colors. White is also a very beautiful and classic choice and would be my next reccomendation.
WE’RE NOT INTO BLACK. CAN YOU USE OTHER BACKGROUND COLORS?
what do you do to ensure your work is eco-friendly?
Here are some of the ways that I create with sustainability in mind!
ECO-FRIENDLY SHIPPING
When shipping is unavoidable, be sure and choose a preservationist who provides eco-friendly shipping instructions and methods of mailing (reused packaging or recycled cardboard box, biodegradable mailers and packing peanuts etc.)
REUSEABLE SUPPLIES
Things like silicone gloves, work mat, mixing sticks and cups - supplies can be used again and again.
HIGH-QUALITY NON-TOXIS RESIN
Use high quality non-toxic resin (ie. American-made Epoxy Resin that is regulated and produced in a facility with strict controls). These resins are food safe and have UV inhibitors that prevent early amber.
NON-TOXIC DRYING MATERIALS
Use high quality and non-toxic drying methods. I use pressing (re-using old cardboard box pieces between layers) and non-toxic silica gel. Some brands of silica gel contain cobalt chloride which is toxic and should be avoided. Silica gel is reusable. You buy it once and use it again and again. Once silica is saturated, simply bake it in the oven and it is usable again.
SHOPPING LOCAL
Shipping has the highest environmental impact with floral preservation. If a couple is not local to their artist, they must follow strict rules to ship their flowers in a time sensitive manner. Similarly the finished product, often heavy and fragile, must also be shipped. By hiring local, this whole phase can be avoided (this also ensures quality! No need to risk damage in shipping fragile fresh flowers or final pieces)
COMPOST ORGANIC MATERIAL
Compost unused florals that are dying. Save floral wire that can be given to a florist and re-used.
LOCAL SUPPLIES WHEN POSSIBLE
Purchase materials locally when possible. (jewelry components from local bead store, vessels from vintage and local shops when possible).
Most couples book me for my distinctive style. I primarily work with black resin and my layout designs tend to be more wild and whimsical. My work has been described as nostalgic and vintage-inspired.
Step one is to book your wedding or event date as soon as you know you would like to preserve your florals. A signed contract and $250 deposit will secure your date. Prior to your wedding date, I’m happy to share tips on flowers that preserve best as well as handling tips during and after your wedding. 7 days before your wedding date, full payment is due. Come wedding day, if I’m your photographer, I'll simply take the flowers home with me. If not, I’ll provide detailed handling and shipping or drop off instructions to ensure the flowers make it to me in the best possible condition. I must receive floral’s within 24 to 48 hours, ideally as soon as possible. Then the fun begins! I immediately disassemble and begin the dehydration/preservation process(es). The process looks different, depending on the type of piece you have ordered. This process takes anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to complete. Once the flowers are fully dried, I assess for usability, and do any reconstruction or color correction as needed. Once the flowers are prepared, then on to the design phase followed by the creation phase - the time intensive process of resin layering, sanding, and polishing. Final collections are ready for shipping or pick-up within 4 months post-wedding.
I recommend that you book as soon as you know that you are interested in having your florals preserved. Given the level of detail and time that goes into every piece of art, I take on a limited number and cap my bookings every month. But no worries at all if you don’t know which pieces you would like. All you need to reserve your date is a $250 deposit. And you have until a week before your wedding to decide on your main pieces and pay in full.
I wasn’t initially budgeting to preserve my wedding flowers.
Do you have any creative budgeting ideas?
Yes! I love to work with my couples and I’m happy to set up payment plans. As collections aren’t delivered until 4 months after the wedding, there is plenty of time to space payments, before and after the wedding. I just require 50% before creation begins.
You could also consider adding floral heirloom preservation to your registry! Family and friends are more excited to help you purchase things like unique experiences and art for your home (then say dishes from Bed Bath and Beyond).
Yes! Oftentimes my couples will choose to use the add-on items, such as candleholders or bottle stoppers, as gifts for their wedding party, parents and grand-parents. They also make for easy and meaningful first Christmas post-wedding gifts. Smaller items can sometimes be expedited.
No problem. I only require that you commit to a $500 minimum order. I am unable to make one off pieces as the preservation and creation time cost is too great.
Nope! I preserve flowers from all kinds of special events - memorials, baby showers, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, ‘just because’ flowers, you name it.
Yes! I'm happy to work with pre-dried flowers. I’ll have you send me some detailed pictures or a video, showing me the state of your flowers. With this information, I can share my recommendation, for which types of pieces would work well. If there’s not a lot to work with sometimes I recommend using some filler. In general, you should expect more vintage style/aesthetic for these pieces.
You should expect a handmade, one of a kind, piece of art. All artwork is handmade with lots of love and care over several months of processes. Given this, you should expect minor imperfections which are inherent qualities of and natural occurrences in any resin art (ie. Minor air, bubbles, a little bit of nature or texture, pour lines visible from the side on open-sided pieces).
Yes! Black is my default color for my resin based work as it fits my style and aesthetic. But I can work with all kinds of colors. White is also a very beautiful and classic choice and would be my next reccomendation.
