We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Sanders. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.
Hi Mary, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
It took a lot of research and trial and error to learn the process of pressing flowers. Some are simple, while most need to be taken apart and pressed. The rose is a flower I frequently come across, and it requires multiple steps to be pressed. First, the flower petals are put one by one into the press. The center will need to be pressed on a different sheet because it is so much thicker than the petals. The press has to be tightened just so, that way it presses the petals enough to dry flat, but not too tight as to discolor them from restricting the air flow. Once dried for a few weeks, they can be taken out and delicately glued back together. When the glue has dried, they are ready to be framed. This process it time consuming and has required a lot of experience to perfect. Not many people know that, including me when I first started pressing!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a pressed flower artist, I both create art and preserve memories through flowers that will last for years to come. Pressed flower art is just that: an art. Different flowers require different processes and typically require taking the flower apart, pressing it petal by petal, and recreating the flower once it’s dry. It takes skill, experience, time, and creativity. I control the process from hand-making the presses themselves (…or at least my husband does), until the flowers are arranged in the frame. Making pressed flowers into a business has been years in the making as I have gone through trial and error to ensure the best results. I actually began my business as a floral designer, transforming fresh flowers into my clients’ visions. Slowly, I began to offer pressed flower options to brides after I designed their bouquets. I really enjoyed this aspect of the process and I eventually realized that it fit into my life much better. As a mom that stays home with 3 kids 4 years old and under, pressing flowers offers a bit more flexibility with my time while still allowing me to be creative. It’s so rewarding to have this outlet allowing me to create art that’s so meaningful to others.
There are a few different ways I go about pressing. I take custom orders where clients provide a particular color scheme or design, then I attain the flowers myself and press them, etc. I have done initials, violets for a Violet, or even someone’s dog! I also can take flowers that are especially meaningful that my clients provide. I have done bridal bouquets, memorial flowers from a funeral, or a birthday bouquet. I’m very open to ideas and visions my clients have.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
From my perspective, there are two very rewarding aspects of pressing flowers. First, I get to preserve such special memories and moments from my clients’ lives. I’m honored to press flowers from someone’s wedding that they will hang up in their home and cherish forever. I really enjoy creating all kinds of art that people will enjoy and hold onto that I’ve pressed and arranged with my own time and effort. On a personal level, this business allows me to feel like I can use my skills, talent, and creativity for something that doesn’t have to do with taking care of the house. I am privileged to stay home with my children and love it with my whole heart, but there’s also something so satisfying about creating something that won’t just be undone (unlike the laundry, dishes, dinner, you name it).
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am a self-proclaimed people-pleaser. And not always in a negative way, where I say “yes” to things I don’t want to do. I WANT to press everyone’s flowers. I WANT to do it for free. But those are not the best choices for me. This is something I do with my time because I enjoy it, but the reality is that I don’t have much time to devote to it. I cannot physically take every client’s order. I cannot spend my precious hours on creating art and charge so little money for it. It’s taken a lot of discipline to be able to say “no” to projects that don’t make sense or fit in my life at this time. I’m proud of where I’m at and the art I create, and my business choices show it.
Contact Info:
- Website: marysgardenfloral.com
- Instagram: @marysgardenfloral
- Facebook: @marysgardenfloral
Image Credits
Mary Sanders