In this technology age of being constantly 'on', arts and crafts offer a respite away from screens.
The act of putting your phone away, sitting at a table and delving into a tactile activity is extremely cathartic. Not only does it create a pocket of mindfulness during a hectic day, but participating in a craft is a brilliant way to exercise your creativity and explore new artistic terrain.
Flower pressing is a prime example of contemplative craftsmanship. Considered a lost art form, the serene medium enables people to mentally switch off, leave their worries behind and channel their efforts into nature.
With a flower press in tow, you can create beautiful cards, posters and artworks to gift or cherish. For city-dwellers deprived of green spaces, it’s never been easier to bring the garden to life with a sprinkling of flower-pressed pieces adorning the walls. Can’t afford to replenish the vase with blooms aplenty every week? Spare yourself the trek to Columbia Road Market and introduce a more permanent fixture into your space.
Nobody understands the allure of flower pressing more than brands that offer exquisite wooden presses to immortalise nature’s beauty. Companies such as Studio Wald, Berstuk and Daylesford Organic all stock flower presses both large and small. The same goes for marketplaces like Etsy and Not On The High Street which champion craftsmanship at home.
Due to its accessibility, flower pressing has been introduced into the world of mixed media, with artists incorporating pretty petal designs into their botanical work. Creators including duo Keith Kralik and Rachel Parri, and Hannah Cromwell all create fairytale artworks that pay homage to floret-induced fun.
From crimson poppies to violet foxgloves, wild daises and more, there’s plenty to forage for in your garden to produce kaleidoscopic petal-clad pieces from the comfort of your home.
Put your gardening gloves on and dive into a new hobby with a flower press that promises a bloomin’ good time.
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Studio Wald Tulip Flower Press In Tulip
Tiptoe through the tulips with Studio Wald. This nifty 15 x 15cm flower press can be pocketed for long, meandering wanders through the woods. Pick, preserve and press your botanical finds using the five sheets of corrugated card and eight of sugar paper.
Buy now £22.95, Trouva
Mary Elizabeth Flowers Large Flower Press
Create your masterpiece en plein air with a large press that allows ample space for an abundance of fleurs. Reimagine nature’s beauty and curate your handpicked flowers and foliage as you please.
Buy now £45.00, NOTHS
Bombus Personalised Handpainted Green Flower Press
Pick between a fairytale floral design or an earthy leaf print with Bombus’ mint-hued flower press. The handpainted piece is a creative gift or stocking filler and can be personalised to add something special.
Buy now £35.00, NOTHS
BloomPost Flower Press
Send a press through the postbox with BloomPost’s clever offering. A slim-build flower press that captures the visual allure of botanicals, the item is a sweet DIY gift to delight any lucky recipient.
Buy now £19.99, BloomPost
Blue Brontide Heirloom Wooden Flower Press
Looking as if it has just been plucked from the pages of a folkloric tale, BlueBrontide’s charming flower press is a lifelong companion. Ideal for christenings, birthdays and wedding gifts, the piece is handmade in Yorkshire and will enthral all budding botanists.
Buy now £58.00, Etsy
Sarah Raven Giant Flower Press
Another expansive press to impress (sorry), Sarah Raven’s finely crafted offering comes with all the essentials. Two sturdy wooden boards, several sheets of thick card, blotting paper, screws, washers and wing nuts are all provided upon purchase. Gather your flowers and get pressing.
Buy now £27.95, Sarah Raven
Berstuk Wooden Flower Press for Adults
Feel free to get messy with Berstuk’s large flower press for adults. Allow your vibrant collection of blooms to unfold in front of you and start piecing them back together. Whether you’re a novice or a pressing supremo, the kit is easy to use and constructed from sustainably sourced wood.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Zodiac Constellation Pocket Flower Press
Nip your Christmas shopping in the bud with a gift to appease spiritual friends and family. Perfect for nature lovers or astrology enthusiasts, this zodiac-themed pocket flower press will unleash their inner zen - especially that of earth signs.
Buy now £14.00, Etsy
Daylesford Organic Flower Press
Once the British drizzle has dried up, head to the garden and assemble your natural materials. Bring them home to perfect your pressing technique courtesy of Daylesford’s earth-toned press that will tickle all floral aficionados.
Buy now £22.50, Daylesford
