If you have ever pressed flowers, you will know how incredibly rewarding it is. Not only do you get to see the incredibly beautiful way you have preserved nature, but you also get to create some pretty incredible art with the pressed flowers you make.
But if you are new to the art of flower pressing, you may ask yourself, "What do I do with my pressed flowers?" or "How do you make pressed flower crafts?"
The beauty of owning a flower press is that you can create limitless pressed flowers, and you are in charge of what flowers you press. That power offers no limit to the creative possibilities of pressed flowers. Once you start, you will be addicted just like I was.
In this guide, we'll delve into the enchanting world of pressed flower crafts, from pressing flowers as a hobby to crafting one-of-a-kind, works of art from the pressed flowers you create.
How to Press Flowers as a Hobby:
Pressing flowers as a hobby is a fun, relaxing way to connect with nature and to enjoy the beauty of flowers in a new and charming way.
Here's a simple guide to pressing flowers:
Harvesting:
You always want to choose fresh flowers with flat petals and vibrant colors. Whether your blooms are white, pink, or whatever color, you don't want any blemishes or tears in them.
Harvesting them in the morning when they're at their peak freshness will help ensure they are preserved and they avoid molding or browning. Flowers press best when they have just bloomed.
Preparing:
Gently remove any excess foliage and ensure the flowers are free from dirt and insects.
You can keep the stem on, or you can trim it down to the base. The beauty of flower pressing is that it is all up to what you want to design. Some people love the look of leaves, and some don't.
Whatever your choice is, use scissors or a utility knife to trim your blooms down to your desired size before arranging them in your press.
Flower Pressing:
Based on what flower press you are using, you will arrange your blooms onto blotting paper, lining paper, or paper towels. You will then place a sponge or absorbent paper over your flowers before closing your press.
You will apply pressure evenly and leave the flowers to dry for days to several weeks until fully pressed and dried.
For complete instructions on how to press flowers with a wooden flower press, you'll love this guide. Our flower press comes with a Flower Pressing Handbook and all the tools, so it's great for beginners.
Storing: Once pressed, store the flowers in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.
How to Make Pressed Flower Crafts:
Now that you have a collection of pressed flowers, it's time to transform them into beautiful crafts. Here are some popular pressed flower craft ideas to inspire you:
Pressed Flower Art:
Pressed Flower Bookmarks:
-Use craft glue, such as Mod Podge, to glue your pressed flowers onto cardstock, acrylic bookmarks, or printed craft paper.
-Or you can place pressed flowers between laminated sheets and run through the laminator machine. Cut into your desired bookmark size.
Pressed Flower Sticker Bookmarks:
-You can also use pressed flower stickers to place onto acrylic bookmarks for a fun and easy DIY.
-Layer as many stickers as you want to add color and texture to your bookmarks.
-Add a complimenting colored tassel.
*This DIY was so much fun to do with my young daughters.
Pressed Flower Mirrors:
-Completely transform a mirror into a one-of-a-kind piece of art for your office, bedroom, or living room.
-Use a craft glue like Mod Podge to adhere the pressed flowers to the mirror.
-You'll apply a light coat of Mod Podge over your pressed flowers to seal and protect them.
-You can use this method on any size mirror, and I love using this DIY on wedding or event table numbers, too.
Pressed Flower Frame:
Intricate designs can be showcased in a frame. You can do this in any color, shape, or variety of frames. You can use as little or as many flowers as you want.
Pressed Flower Shadow Boxes:
Showcase your flowers in a beautiful wooden box or frame like this one by White Poppy Presses.
-Arrange your flowers, layering them on top of one another to create depth
-Add a variety of flowers and leave species to create texture and interest.
Pressed Flower Jewelry:
-You can make pressed flower pendants or earrings like this by AridFlowersbyAngie by encasing pressed flowers in resin and attaching them to jewelry findings.
- Create pressed flower bracelets or bangles by embedding pressed flowers in resin-filled bezels.
-If you are a beginner, this resin jewelry kit by Let's Resin was a great introduction to resin art. It has great instructions and easy-to-use resin mixing to prep you for heavy-duty resin art.
Pressed Flower Stationery:
- Craft handmade cards, stationery sets, or notepads adorned with pressed flowers for a personalized touch.
- Decorate envelopes with pressed flower motifs or seals for a whimsical flourish.
Pressed Flower Wax Seals:
-Yes, bring out the wax seals for weddings and bridal showers. But I have fallen in love with the look of wax seals on everyday stationery.
-You can press wax seals easily with a wax seal stamp kit. Add your pressed flowers on top of the hot wax before stamping.
Or, they have wax seal stickers now that you could Mod Podge a pressed flower on top of.
Pressed Flower Candles:
-Update any candle vessel by simply using Mod Podge to apply pressed flowers on it.
-Using a taper or pillar candle, you can empress flowers in melted wax. You can use the melted wax from a tea light to gently use the wax over the pressed flower. Or you can heat a butter knife over a flame to melt the pressed flower onto the candle. I have also tried wrapping the candle with wax paper over the pressed flowers and melting the wax with an iron.
Pressed Flower Lanterns:
-Apply a small amount of craft glue like Mod Podge to the entire jar.
-Gently place pressed flowers on the glue and press down with your fingertip.
-Apply as many pressed flowers as you want.
-If you are layering flowers on top of each other, apply a little glue on the bottom of the pressed flower.
-Apply a light coat of Mod Podge over the entire glass jar for a seamless look.
Pressed Flower Coasters:
-Choose a resin coaster mold in the shape and size you want.
-Use an expoxy resin mix. Pour into a small pitcher and mix according to directions.
-After mixing, pour the resin mix into the coaster mold
-Add flakes or color to the resin, along with the pressed flowers
-Cure with a heat lamp or wait until dry.
-Remove from molds once fully cured.
Pressed Flower Paper Crowns:
-Draw the shape of a crown with a pencil on cardstock or paper, and then cut out.
-Apply Mod Podge or craft glue to the bottom of the pressed flower
-Gently press the pressed flower down with your finger tip or tweezers
-Design around the crown with as many pressed flowers as you want
-I love adding fun shaped jewels or beads to the peaks (kids love them).
-Apply glue to the edges to close ends.
The moral of this story is that there are limitless ways you can use pressed flowers to create beautiful crafts for yourself or with your kiddos. I have learned from playing with pressed flowers, that I'm actually more creative than I give myself credit for.
There is just something so humbling about creating something with your hands and watching the process with eagerness and doubt. In the end, when you see your final project, you are genuinely proud of yourself for embellishing your home decor, creating wearable art, or gifting handmade treasures all from the flowers you pressed. So, try one of these DIY's or all of them. It'll be rewarding for you, too.
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Check my blog for tutorials and videos of more pressed flower crafts.
*as an Amazon associate, I do earn commissions. Some links in this article are sponsored.