The Process

Drying flowers for preservation has been practiced since ancient times, dating back all the way to the Egyptians. Not only do dried flowers make beautiful decorations, but they can also serve as meaningful keepsakes, allowing you to cherish your flowers for years to come.

The process of drying flowers involves transitioning them from a fresh, pliable state to a brittle, permanent one. In other words, drying flowers means letting all the moisture evaporate.

Did you know?

The oldest preserved flowers were found in a Roman tomb in Egypt and are over 2,000 years old. Though faded, they remain intact. Today, they are on display at the British Museum. Many things we interact with in our daily lives have their origins in Rome or Egypt, and dried flowers are no exception.

Whether you choose to preserve your flowers in their natural form or as pressed flowers, every piece is carefully handcrafted to preserve the beauty, character and sentimental value of your bouquet.

1. Your flowers arrive

The preservation process begins as soon as your flowers are received. Each bouquet is carefully assessed, and the flowers are gently separated and prepared individually. Any leaves, petals or damaged parts that are unsuitable for preservation are carefully removed.

2. Preparing and preserving the flowers

Each flower is prepared according to its natural shape, condition and the final design. Depending on the flower and the style of preservation, blooms may be carefully opened, separated or flattened.

For flowers being preserved in their natural form, I use professional-grade silica gel. The silica gel gently draws moisture from the flowers while helping to maintain their three-dimensional shape and structure.

I use WiseDry silica gel as part of my flower preservation process.

Shop the silica gel I use for flower preservation

3. Drying or pressing the flowers

The flowers are carefully dried or pressed depending on their individual characteristics and the chosen design.

Flowers being preserved in their natural form are carefully placed in silica gel and monitored throughout the drying process.

Flowers being pressed are carefully positioned in a flower press, allowing moisture to be gradually removed while preserving their delicate details.

The length of this stage can vary considerably depending on the type, thickness and condition of the flowers. Every bouquet is different, so the process is adjusted according to what each individual flower needs.

4. Creating your design

Once the flowers are completely dry and ready, each bloom and piece of foliage is carefully arranged by hand.

The composition, positioning and overall appearance are considered to create a beautiful arrangement while retaining the character of your original bouquet. Every piece is individually designed, making each finished artwork completely unique.

5. Framing your flowers

Once the arrangement is complete, the preserved flowers are secured inside your chosen custom frame.

Each flower is positioned and secured individually, with every detail checked to ensure the finished artwork is beautifully presented.

6. Final preparation

Once your artwork is complete, it is carefully checked, finished and allowed to settle before being prepared for delivery or collection in person from my Cardiff based studio

Visit my shop to explore the full collection of preserved flower designs.

A Natural and Detailed Process

The stages above provide an overview of the flower preservation process. However, each stage involves many additional steps, techniques and careful decisions to help preserve your flowers’ shape, colour and natural beauty as much as possible.

Flower preservation is a highly detailed, handcrafted process and can take several months to complete. As flowers are natural materials, every bouquet responds differently, so the timing and individual steps can vary depending on the type, condition and characteristics of your flowers.

Some stages may take longer than expected, and certain techniques may need to be adjusted along the way. This natural unpredictability is part of the process and allows me to give your flowers the individual care and attention they need to achieve the best possible result.

Explore my Instagram page to see more of my flower preservation process, techniques and finished pieces. If you have any questions or would like to discuss preserving your flowers, get in touch.