Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caitlin Torrez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Caitlin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Growing up with my mother and father meant there was always a project going on. Looking back, I’m amazed at the breadth of things they would do. As a preschooler, I remember scraping off wallpaper in our tiny kitchen. In elementary school, I remember helping them make hundreds of holiday items to sell at a local craft fair. And in high school, we would be picking homegrown grapes every fall to make jelly. There really was no limit on what we did, and the whole family was always involved.

One of the best things about this attitude was that when I went to them with an idea for a project, they never scoffed, put me off, or left me to do it myself. They would help me and get involved. The very first time I ever pressed a flower was when I recruited my dad to help me make my mom a Mother’s Day gift. I had seen an idea in a magazine to make art with flowers in a frame. We went out to the backyard together and picked some pretty little violets to press. He helped me every step of the way, and when it was done, we had made two art pieces that my mom still owns to this day. This trend of helping me continued as I opened my first Etsy shop in college. I decided I wanted to make some flower presses to sell, but I didn’t have a ton of experience with wood working. Talking it over with my dad, we figured out the right measurements for the paper used to press flowers, and he helped me pick out plywood and cut it to the perfect size. My mom then helped me make the beautiful ink transfers to decorate the presses.

My mother’s encouragement came in that way. She saw my potential and gave me inspiration before the days of Pinterest and Instragram. One of my first Christmases in college, she gave me a microwave flower press. I had never heard of this beofre, and it opened up an entire new world for pressing different flowers. The following Christmas she gave me resin and an instructional book. Once again, I had never worked with resin, and this was something that wasn’t popular yet. These thoughtful gifts gave me the confidence and experience I needed to start my business.

This encouragement and support is still seen to this day. I’ve roped my parents into helping me make a play kitchen for my kids out of an old tv stand, and I’m currently consulting them on making a bathroom vanity out of a vintage dresser.

I can also see their impact in how I raise my children. Though they are still quite young, when my husband and I see they have a particular interest, we try to learn more about the subject with them. We listen to what they say and their excitement, and try to find ways to explore their new interest. I think the most important thing is to let them know that their ideas have value. It may not be the traditional route you expect for your child, but if they are passionate about something, you need to share in that and nurture it.

Caitlin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Caitlin Torrez, and I am a flower preservationist specializing in pressing wedding bouquets. I started pressing flowers as a little girl. My family always had a huge flower garden, and I loved the idea of being able to save these gorgeous blooms before they withered and died. I opened my own Etsy shop selling framed art with these pressed flowers in 2012. And after I had my second child in 2018, I expanded into custom orders of pressed flowers from people’s weddings, memorials, and other important life events.

I create unique and timeless pieces of framed, pressed flower art for my clients. When couples are getting married, so much thought and love goes into planning their wedding. One of the most important aspects are the flowers they will be surrounded by and holding the entire day. By preserving these flowers, they are able to remember that special aspect of their day for years to come. A bride can look at her actual wedding flowers hanging in a frame as she’s washing the dishes or holding her baby. A groom can see his framed boutonniere as he is getting ready for the day. And these pieces can become heirlooms for generations to come.

My art is set apart by the romantic and sentimental quality it holds. I handle each and every flower and place it lovingly in the frame. I try to create a piece for the couple that not only represents the actual flower arrangement, but has a touch of soul and visible depth. Not every single flower that is put in the frame may be visible, but they are layered to give a beautiful and full effect, similar to the actual bouquet.

I am proud of the fact that I am able to make these pieces as heirlooms. I learned how to solder just so I could completely seal these flowers, preventing moisture and dust from ever entering the frame. I know when a client gets their bouquet that it will be safe, sturdy, and a true work of art for countless years.

The most important aspect of my work is preserving your flowers in a way that preserves the feelings and memories you felt on your special day. My work is for the fellow sentimental souls out there. I love being able to make a necklace that you can hold during your work day, and in a way, you are holding onto your bouquet again.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist (and sometimes the most mind blowing) is the fact that my art will hang in people’s homes for the rest of their lives. When a client reaches out and let’s me know they absolutely love their frame and that they cried when they opened it, I know I have accomplished what I set out to do. I know I have captured that love story with their flowers. Seeing photos of the pieces hanging in their homes just drives the point home. Being able to provide such a meaningful service is truly a blessing.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had always planned to be a stay-at-home mom, from when I found out I was pregnant with our first child. After two years of staying home with my son, I realized there was a lot of sacrifice involved. Not only financially, but in what I felt like I was doing. Don’t get me wrong, raising my children is my greatest and most important job. But some days I felt a little lost and frustrated. When I started expanding my business after my second child was born, I realized I could not only be there for my kids, but also find a way to still be creative and support my family. Fast forward to today, where our 4th child was recently born. I still get to stay home with my kids a lot of the time, but they also go to school and daycare, and I have the chance to create my art. Some days I feel bad that I’m not 100% a stay-at-home mom, but I know that this is what works best for my family and my business!

Contact Info:

• Website: thepressedflowershop.com
• Instagram: @pressedflowershop
• Facebook: facebook.com/PressedFlowerShopbyCait

Image Credits
Gabby Bridge Photography