"This jewellery is so pretty," you say. "I wish I could do something similar myself." Nature pressed jewellery from Sydney's Flower and Finch and a guide on how to start the hobby.
Flowers come, in all their coloured glory, sprouting up from soil and leaping from their buds. They stop around to keep us company, smiling and occasionally dancing in the breeze. Then, just like that, they leave. Disappear. Die right before our eyes.
But there's a simple way we can enjoy their presence forever and that's by picking them before it's too late and shutting them away in the dark, hidden depths of a book. It may seem harsh and they may not appreciate it at first but, when we release them months later, their flowery goodness will continue to remain fresh and their smiles will never fade.
The Jewellery
Miranda Ming, the girl behind Flower and Finch, is a Melbourne based nature lover who transforms her floral surroundings into necklaces and earrings. Wattle, lavender, heather and pansies are picked, pressed and then encased in resin pendants. After opening an Etsy store in October 2014, she had over a hundred sales in a little over a month and is now currently taking a short break. But don't worry because those living locally can find Miranda and her creations around markets in Melbourne and the rest of the world can find her on her incredibly pretty Instagram, @flowerandfinch.
The DIY
Image: amyflyingakite.com
So how does one press their own flowers? Amy Nelson, writer, banjoist and blogger at Amy Flying A Kite, has grown up appreciating nature and being Alberta-based there is no shortage of it. "I felt so sad when the flowers would die in the snow at winter's return," she said but realised "by cutting the stems, I could give them new life."
What does she do with her flowers? "I keep them in photo books and in draws but you'll find them scattered all over my house. I want to put the petals in frames and give them away to the people I love the most." And nothing says 'I love you' like a flower that can be kept forever.
What does she do with her flowers? "I keep them in photo books and in draws but you'll find them scattered all over my house. I want to put the petals in frames and give them away to the people I love the most." And nothing says 'I love you' like a flower that can be kept forever.
Amy's favourites to press are "pansies, chrysanthemums and blossoms that fall from the trees." When asked if she's ever thought of turning them into accessories, she said "I want to try different ways and a variety of flowers. I want to learn what works and what doesn't. I'd love to one day leap into making more out of these flowers but for now pressed flowers is all I can do!"
Shall we give it a go?
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