Remember in a previous post when we mentioned that we would come back with more nature-inspired art projects. Well, let us continue with that! Today we're sharing something we've been excited to explore – pressed flower art. It's surprisingly affordable, incredibly rewarding, and honestly, it completely transforms a space.
Pressed Flower Art: Preserving Nature's Confetti
We have discussed some nature craft activities and explored crafts from pine cones, etc., where we used natural materials for crafts. But pressed flowers deserve their own spotlight. They're delicate, timeless, and surprisingly durable when done right. So here we are, let's discuss the steps.
How to Make Pressed-Flower Art — A Short Step-by-Step Guide
Pressed-flower art is an easy, beautiful, nature-friendly way to turn garden finds into lasting keepsakes and beautiful home decor. Here’s a quick walkthrough on making a pressed-flower framed piece, card, or bookmark.
After several attempts (and a few failures), here's what actually works.
What you’ll actually need
Here is a list of what you will need. Be creative and add your own innovative touches. Not sure about the materials? Scroll down to find a suggested list and links at the end of this post.
Don't overthink this – you probably have most of these items already:
- Fresh flowers and leaves (violets, pansies, and ferns are foolproof, flat petals work best)
- Heavy books (those college textbooks finally have a purpose!)
- Parchment paper or plain paper (blotting paper)
- Tweezers (trust me on this one)
- Good glue – preferably archival quality PVA or Mod Podge
- Cardstock, watercolor paper, or archival quality craft paper for the final design
- Picture frame with glass (optional)
Step-by-step Process (Be Patient!)
-
Flower hunting - Collect Flowers
We love this part. Collecting flowers is the fun part, and an excuse to spend time with nature. Head out mid-morning when the dew's gone but before the afternoon heat hits. Pick flowers that look fresh, not wilted or bug-eaten. Collect flowers in dry weather and choose blooms that are not wet or bruised. And please – don't raid your neighbor's prize roses without asking! -
Prepare flowers and leaves for pressing
You can use a book or another heavy item. Open a heavy book, lay down parchment paper, arrange your flowers face down (this took us a few tries to figure out), then cover with another sheet, and close the book. Stack more books on top. The more weight, the better. -
Press and wait
This is where we wait. Maybe not so much fun, but this is a part of the process, the part where we have to be patient. We know its the hard part, but thin petals might be ready in a week, while thicker leaves need the full three weeks. Leave them for 1–3 weeks. They're done when they feel papery and completely dry.
Design your layout
Once pressed, use tweezers to arrange the flowers around on your cardstock. Play with composition: single focal bloom, a bouquet, or a border. Explore layouts – sometimes a single flower looks stunning, other times a scattered arrangement works better. There's no wrong way; go with your instinct.-
Gluing Carefully
Use a tiny amount of glue on the back of each petal or a thin layer of Mod Podge on the paper, then set the pieces gently. Less is more here. We learned this the hard way when we used too much and it showed through the petals. Press with a clean sheet of paper under a heavy book to flatten while glue dries. -
The Final Touch - Finish and frame
Once everything's dry, you can varnish lightly with a clear sealant (optional) and frame behind glass to protect from dust and humidity. This not only protects your work, but it also makes it look professionally done.
In short, this is what we do to create pressed-flower art:
- Gather flowers, wildflowers, and leaves (ethically, please—no snatching from protected areas or your neighbor's prized garden)
- Place them between sheets of parchment paper and heavy books
- Wait for 1-3 weeks (patience is an art form, too)
- Arrange dried specimens on heavyweight paper or in floating frames
- Hang on the wall and accept compliments graciously :)
The result? Charming plant art that quietly conveys, "I love nature" - a more understated way to express it than shouting, "I just GLUED some leaves on paper!" When done tastefully, you have cool plant art.
Quick tips
-
Use small tweezers and minimal glue to avoid discoloring petals.
-
Keep artworks out of direct sunlight to reduce fading.
Use acid-free glue and acid-free paper for longevity.
Pair archival paper + archival glue and keep the artwork behind glass to preserve color for years.
-
Try variations: pressed-flower bookmarks, greeting cards, or embed in resin for jewelry. Try making bookmarks or greeting cards with smaller pieces
Some flowers work better than others – experiment!
Once you get the hang of it, try pressed flower bookmarks for gifts, greeting cards for special occasions, or even embedding small flowers in clear resin for jewelry. Each piece tells its own story.
Give it a shot — pressed flowers are beautiful, forgiving, and endlessly charming. Do share what you create and your experience of creating it.
--
Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional advice. Activities carried out by children may require adult supervision.
This post contains some Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link below and make a purchase, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support this blog and allow us to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!
Links for some items have been provided below as examples and for reference. You can buy online or at your local craft store.
PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) Acid-Free Glue
Acid-free paper pad (Strathmore) / Canson
Parchment or baking paper (not wax paper, which can trap moisture) / Parchment Paper Sheets
Paintbrushes if you want to add a touch of paint.
Sketchbook for drawing, quick sketches, and planning your layout ideas.
Share your sustainable art projects and nature art wins in the comments below!
At RST Creative, we believe in the power of creativity to transform perspectives and inspire positive change. Through our blog, workshops, and community initiatives, we explore the intersections of art, crafts, sustainability, and meaningful innovation.
----
Website: https://www.rstcreative.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rstcreativeblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rstcreativeblog
Beautiful project to keep you happy and engaged.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad you liked it.
Delete