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Holly Hills Lane

DIY / Spring

The Art of the Flower Press

April 10, 2023

As a child, I remember my first experience with flower pressing. While not remotely sophisticated, the 1980’s phonebook (for those of you who must Google it, I will not hold it against you) served as the ultimate flower press, and subsequently, a time capsule. When my Mom recently unearthed said phonebook, we discovered the history we had unknowingly made.

Neatly tucked between the pages of local business adverts and home phone numbers were my perfectly pressed four-leaf clovers. I was convinced back in 1986 that four-leaf clovers did not exist outside of the Emerald Isle. But sure enough, we would find them nestled amongst the grass the longer and more intently we sat there amongst the blades of grass on warm Summer evenings. With no urgency to be anywhere but right there in that moment, we would find ourselves succeeding en masse.

The older I get, I find myself appreciating life’s daily moments more often in all their Insta-imperfection. I can’t help but want to get even further away from the stressors inflicted upon us and by us. For me, that means being outside of my house, which in turn is outside of myself. So, I decided to revisit this ancient pastime, make my own flower presses, and share them with you!

It Has a Name – Oshibana ( 押し花 )

Oshibana is the Japanese art form of using pressed flowers and botanical materials to create a larger composition of art. Originating in the 1500s, Oshibana, which simply translates as “pressed flower,”  became all the rage in Victorian-era England and the United States by the mid-to late-1800s as trade with Japan expanded. 

How-To & Resources

Long before the advent of craft box stores such as Michaels and online retailers like Amazon, pressing flowers to make art, or simply a memory of a special event, didn’t require many supplies. In fact, my Mom only used paper towels in between the pages of her 500-page, paperback phonebook. I find people online debating the virtues of different types of cardboard (and I get it; I don’t want to see my flower petals indented with ridges either) but if we can just stop constantly seeking the Insta-perfect, I contemplate how much happier we would all be.

With that said, we have something pressin’ to attend to, lol;)

Where to Start

Option A – No Effort Required

If you’re the type of person who is ready to hit the ground running, then allow me to take ALL the effort out of this process for you! I currently have a 3×4″ pocket-sized and personalized flower press available in my Etsy Shop. 

Option B – Some Effort Required

If you’d like to get started today using supplies already available in your home, then simply follow these easy steps.

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

  • One thick book /OR/ a pile of books
  • Newspaper /OR/ watercolor or botanical blotting paper
  • Parchment Paper (NOT Wax Paper; they are different)
  • Freshly picked flowers
  • Scissors /OR/ garden clippers

To get the best results, snip flower petal samples at the height of their color, which is typically shortly after they’ve bloomed. Once you have one or many flowers, leaves, or stems to press, create a sandwich of newspaper-parchment-(insert flowers here)-parchment-newspaper.

Option C – More Effort Required

Maybe you would like to be part of the overall DIY process. In that case, I also offer an SVG download within my Etsy shop to make your own flower press! And if you sign up for my occasional newsletter, I’ll send you a coupon to purchase this laser engraving and cut SVG file for 50% off:) –> Coming Soon!

After you create your own wooden press, you’ll need to also gather the following:

  • Newspaper /OR/ watercolor or botanical blotting paper
  • Parchment Paper (NOT Wax Paper; they are different)
  • Freshly picked flowers
  • Scissors /OR/ garden clippers

Option D – Microwave Your Flowers? Who Knew?! 

For the innovators and adventurers in my crew, did you know you can accelerate the flower-pressing process? Yup, they make something for that, it’s called a microwave flower press. So just like those pick-the-end-to-your-own adventure books, you have a lot of choices in getting your flowers from full to flat in no time. In future installments, I hope to take my own pressed flowers and share resin-creations with you including coasters and jewelry!

Be Sure to Share!

I want to see what YOU create so please be sure to share by tagging @HollyHillsLane on Instagram and Facebook or send me a DM.

For Your Additional Reading Enjoyment

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/t-magazine/pressing-flowers-how-to-crafting.html6

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hollyhillslane

hollyhillslane

Hi friends, I promise not to #bee gone for so long Hi friends, I promise not to #bee gone for so long again🤦🏽‍♀️ Sick child, sick Jen, child with broken ankle,  sick child again…👍🏼 It’s been a month to remember but with February just around the corner, I’m so excited to finally start the #newyear!!! I hope you will love the latest creations from my Holly hut. Just in time for Cupid, I’ve released some love inspired #flowerpress keychains. Visit my Etsy shop (yeh I know, my own shopping cart is still in process…#january 🤦🏽‍♀️) to check them out. And why yes, some hints at future product drops. Can you spot what’s going on??? 😉

#flowerpressing #flowersofspring #flowersinresin #floweraddicts #driedflowers #driedflower #valentine #galentine #palentinesday #galentinesday #valentineday #valentinegifts #valentinesgift #beesofinstagram #beemine #bumblebee #pollinators🐝 #pollinators #pollinatorgarden
With all the new visitors to my shop this holiday, With all the new visitors to my shop this holiday, I realized it’s probably a good idea to reintroduce myself to those of you who haven’t met me yet;) I’m Jen Bell (@thejenbell) and this is my mad scientist laboratory. 

I’m an illustrator who ❤️‘s to translate my hand drawn concepts into items that bring joy to people’s lives. During the holidays, this means ornaments!

Enamored with Christmas tree ornaments since I was a small child, my family will tell you I’ve been making my own since I was a wee little Curlybell. But in 2016 I began professionally offering my creations to the public. In addition to my original pieces, I enjoy repurposing architectural salvage and reclaimed wood both for ornament and art making:) (Be sure to check out my mushrooms and finials!)

It’s an honor to be part of your family’s traditions. There’s nothing that brings me greater joy than knowing my creations get unboxed and hung on your tree or mantle. I can wait to make something magical for you:) This year if you see anything you like on here or my Etsy shop, I accept VENMO & Zelle and if you DM me your username and what you’d like, I’ll forward you an invoice;) And thank you for continuing to support my dreams.❤️❤️❤️

#southjersey #christmastree #christmasdecor #shoplocal #shopsmall #smallbusinesssaturday #njhandmade #njmade #njmakers #njmom #njmoms #njmompreneur #woodworking #architecturalsalvage #repurposedwood #reclaimedwood #curlyelf #hollyjolly
The most unceremonious product drop ever for the f The most unceremonious product drop ever for the first of many new ornaments I’m releasing for Christmas 2023. Not the pomp & circumstance I was planning but it’s time to get my jingle a’jammin’. This 5-layer, wooden bauble is my love letter to the Southern NJ town that helped put my ornaments on the map, #Pitman, thanks to @gwynglassart & @glass.gwyn ❤️. To order yours, and receive free delivery & an engraved message of your choice on the back, DM me your address and VENMO handle by November 30! I’ll forward you an invoice & deliver to your door by the first week of December. I can also do COD and credit card upon delivery. $30 each or 2 for $50.

Later this week I’ll be releasing a larger catalog with order form (I’m bypassing Etsy & Facebook this year for my local friends), but save a spot on the tree for your Pitman Water Tower today! 

#southjersey #uptownpitman #njmom #njhandmade #njmade #madeinnj #njmakers #pitmannj #watertower  #curlyelf #pitmanwatertower #everybodylikespitman
More to come on this but expanded my gardening orn More to come on this but expanded my gardening ornament offerings today. Hope to post the newbies by tomorrow evening! Wasn’t expecting it to be considered “Christmas” season by November 4, but alas, this is where we find ourselves. 🤪🤪🤪 

#wooddesign #woodwork #gardening #gardenlife #longwoodgardens #gardeninspiration #gardenornaments #gardenornament
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