Flower Pressing Tips for Beginners.

pressed flowers
Flower Pressing Tips for Beginners

This blog post comes with a warning. Pressing Flowers can become addictive. You’ve been warned!

Of course, I say this in a jokey manner, but it’s honestly true! I first started pressing flowers whilst studying textile design at uni. My final major project was all based and designed around the art of pressing flowers, and I honestly became a little bit addicted and obsessed with the process. I just loved placing a flower into a press, returning two weeks later and seeing the results. Which it’s worth noting here, were sometimes brilliant and sometimes awful!

Flower Pressing is a great craft, and it is suitable for various ages and skill levels. One question I always get asked is “Do you press all of your flowers?”, and the answer is YES! I do! But the reality is, it took me almost three years to perfect my pressing technique, but at least I can now pass that wisdom onto others. Whether you’re completely new to flower pressing, or just starting on your pressing journey, here are my Top Tips for pressing flowers.

Tip 1: Invest in a proper Flower Press.
Of course, the traditional method of pressing flowers is in between pages of weighted books, and this was in fact how I started in the very beginning. However I soon came to realise that the results I was achieveing by using this method were just not as consistant as I would like. You can purchase Flower Presses online for as little as £10, and I would highly recommend doing this if you want to achieve high-quality, consistant results. If you want to try out the traditional method of pressing between pages, then you can still follow the tips to follow to help you achieve sucessful results.

Tip 2: Only Press ‘Dry’ Flowers.
It sounds really silly saying “make sure your flowers are dry before you press them”, but seriously, make sure they are dry before you press them. Even the smallest amount of mildew can turn a potential succesful press into an unsuccessful press. The whole concept of flower pressing is to remove moisture from the flowers. If you add even the smallest amount of moisture into the press, you run the risk of the flowers not drying and even turning mouldy in the press. Ideally, try and pick you flowers when it’s dry. Dab any excess moisture off using kitchen towel, and if you can, move mildew dusted flowers into the sun to help them dry.

Tip 3: Don’t Overload your Press.
It’s a mistake that most flower pressers have made, including myself. Trying to press a large volume of flowers at once, adding additional layers into my press, and coming back two weeks later to find… mould. This tip goes back to my previous one and the comments about moisture. The more flowers you add into a press, the more moisture you are adding. Trust me when I say, there is nothing more heartbreaking than opening up a flower press and seeing mouldy flowers. Take time to play around with your flower press, build up a relationship with it. Get to know what works for your press and what doesn’t.

Tip 4: Use Different Presses for Different Weights.
All flowers have different weights. A lobelia weighs less than a rose, a daffodil weighs heavier than a violas. By using a different press for different weights, you’re guarneteed to get more successful results. All flowers have different drying times which is affected by their weight. A viola might only take two weeks, whereas a daffodil might take four.

Tip 5: Patience.
Pressing flowers is exciting! By it’s the waiting for the results which is the agonising part of the process. But wait you must! Don’t be tempeted to take the flowers out of the press too early. By doing this you can affect their colour presevation, quality and lifespan of them in their new pressed form. Most light-weight flowers will dry within 2 weeks, but heavier-weight flowers will take longer (up to 4 weeks). The wait is 100% worth it!

Tip 6: Practise makes perfect.
Like any craft or skill, practise makes perfect. Don’t be disheartened if your first press doesn’t turn out the way you planned. Each variety of flower has it’s own profile, and understanding that unique profile takes time. There are still some flowers now which I am still trying to perfect. Carnations are the absolute bane of my life! 5 years in and I still can’t get them to press the way I want!

So there you have it. My Top Tips for flower pressing.
Let me know if this blog post was helpful to you by leaving a comment below, or let me know if you’d like any more tip based blog posts around flower pressing.

Press happy, Hanna x

Nature Infused Wellness.

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Why getting ‘out’ into nature couldn’t be more important right now.

Let’s be honest, the world has gone a little bit weird (& crazy!). And with the current state of affairs within the United Kingdom, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed and anxious.

As things currently stand, the UK Government has advised us to all to implement ‘social-distancing’ to try and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Including non-essential travel to work, only shopping for essentials (when it’s required), and avoiding contact with friends and family.

As important as social-distancing is right now, I think we can all appreciate that it can also feel boring or frustrating, and because of this, you may find that your mood and general mental wellbeing are affected.

At Face Florals we have been looking into ways to help boost our moods and mental well-being in this turbulent time, which don’t involve reaching for a puzzle book.


Nature Infused Wellness.

Throughout the modern decade, research has shown the positive impacts of spending time within nature, on both our physical and mental health. Including reducing anxiety, stress and in some cases depression.

The current advice from the UK Government is “to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with.” Ok, great! But what if you are a ‘venerable’ individual who has been advised otherwise?

It’s not unknown that we are nature enthusiasts at Face Florals, so we have pulled together some simple ideas & tips on how you can inject some ‘nature-infused wellness’ into your routine, whether it be outside or inside.


Spend time with your Indoor Plants.
Did you know, studies have shown that indoor plants have incredible mood-boosting effects? They can also help to improve concentration and creativity, as well as emoting a sense of calm and reducing the feeling of stress. Better still! Indoor plants help to remove toxins from the air and inject oxygen into your home. Go on! Show your indoor plants some love!

Open your windows.
It sounds really simple, but opening up your windows and allowing fresh air & natural sunlight into your home will help you feel more connected with nature, and boost your mood. Turn off your radio or TV for 10 mins, and listen to nature.

Get Outside.
If you can of course! But don’t forget the 2-meter rule. Sit in your garden, go for a walk, or even a run if you’re able to. Getting some fresh air into your lungs can make the difference to your mood.

Embrace ‘Forest Bathing’.
Forest Bathing is all about taking time out to slow down and re-connect with nature. The trend has been increasingly popular within Japan and is often recommended as a form of therapy by specialist GP’s to their patients. As its name suggests, it’s all about ‘bathing’ in nature. Lying back, tuning into your surroundings and taking it all in.

Top 5 Christmas Gifts for Pressed Flower Addicts.

pressed flowers

Christmas Blog

To follow in sync with the rest of the United Kingdom right now… How is it already November!? The nights are getting darker, the days are getting shorter, and the idea of Christmas being just around the corner is enough to send you into a panic buying spree.

At Face Florals, we consider ourselves to be pressed flower experts. It is what our day jobs consist of after all. And if you know someone who is addicted to anything pressed flower related (like we all are at Face Florals HQ), then we have you covered. We’ve curated a selection of beautiful, floral gifts which will make the perfect Christmas Presents for the pressed flower addict in your life, and of course, they are from other small, independent businesses. #ShopSmall 

 

Jane Safarian Nail Art

Jane Safarian Nail Art: Pressed Dried Flowers Design Water Slide Nail Decals. 
£11.30, available from Etsy.

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Bring Me Milk: Decorative Floral Comb, Pressed Flower Accessories, Wide Tooth Comb Floral Piece.
£25.00, available from Etsy.

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Kate Broughton: British Wild Flowers Print.
£20.00 (prices vary dependent on size), available from Etsy.

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Eclectic Eccentricity: Personalised Pressed Flower Necklace.
£23.00, available from notonthehighstreet.com

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Fern & Felt: Baby-Fern Pressed Flower Phone Case.
£16.23, available from Etsy.