How to Use a Flower Press Kit?

The Origins of Flower Pressing

Did you know that flower pressing as an art form originated in Japan? Known as ‘Oshibana,’ this practice involves using dried flowers to create intricate images, often depicting landscapes or other scenes from nature. Back in the 16th century, even Samurai engaged in Oshibana, valuing it as a way to cultivate patience, focus, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

As global trade flourished in the 1800s, Oshibana captured the imagination of the Western world, especially during the Victorian era. In a society bound by strict norms, flowers became a subtle language, allowing people to express hidden emotions and meanings. Flower pressing became a cherished pastime, a way to preserve the beauty of nature and the memories it symbolised.

One notable example is the scrapbooks of pressed flowers created by Gertrude Tredwell during her 1865 travels in the White Mountains. Her delicate work still resides in her New York family home, a lasting testament to the sentimental value of pressed botanicals.

Flower Pressing as Art and Memory

By the 19th century, flower pressing evolved beyond personal keepsakes and became a celebrated art form. Incredibly, the Western Reserve Historical Society houses a preserved bouquet from President Abraham Lincoln’s grave, pressed and displayed as a tribute in 1865.

Similarly, books featuring pressed flowers from sacred sites like Bethlehem and Mount Carmel became popular souvenirs, with pages adorned with floral arrangements shaped into crosses or vases, all framed by olive wood covers.

The preservation of flowers wasn’t just about their aesthetic appeal—it was about storytelling, connecting people to history, spirituality, and nature in ways that words often couldn’t.

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Oshibana Today: A Revival of Creativity

Despite its rich history, Oshibana has often been dismissed as a hobby rather than a legitimate art form. However, efforts to elevate its status gained momentum in the 1980s with the establishment of The Pressed Flower Guild, celebrating the skill of pressed flower artists globally. Even Grace Kelly, the iconic actress and Princess of Monaco, championed the craft in her book ‘My Book of Flowers.’

What’s fascinating is that flower pressing predates even 16th-century Japan. Archaeologists have uncovered dried botanicals from Egyptian graves dating back 3,000 years, adorned as garlands, collars, and laurels. In 2016, a preserved Bronze Age thistle was unearthed in Lancashire, reminding us of humanity’s enduring connection to flowers across millennia.

A Modern Resurgence: Bringing Nature Home

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, flower pressing is making a comeback. As we grapple with environmental issues and seek ways to slow down, many are turning to crafts that connect us to nature. Flower pressing not only allows us to preserve fleeting beauty but also invites a sense of mindfulness and creativity into our lives.

Whether you’re creating art, preserving a memory, or simply enjoying the therapeutic process, flower pressing is a timeless craft that bridges the past and present.