Pressed flowercraft consists of drying flower petals and leaves in a flower press to flatten and exclude light and moisture. Pressing flowers makes them appear flat, and there is often a change in color, ranging from faded colors to a greater intensity of vibrant colors. It has long been practiced as an art form in China and in Japan, where it is known as oshibana. Outside of Asia, the art gained popularity in England during the Victorian era and has experienced a revival in the last 30 years or so. It is currently used in Australia and in the United States by some recognized artists, including Cellestine Hannemann and Janie Gross,. The pressed flowers and leaves can be used in a variety of craft projects. They are often mounted on special paper, such as handmade paper, Ingres paper, Japanese paper, or paper decorated by marbling. With meticulous attention to detail, each leaf and flower is glued onto a precise location. With a creative approach to the use of materials, a leaf becomes a tree and petals form mountains. Washes of watercolor painting are sometimes applied to the backing paper before the pressed material is attached. Pressed material may also be mounted on fabrics, such as velvet, silk, linen or cotton. Petals and leaves can be applied to wood furnishings using the technique of Decoupage.
The Pressed Flower Craft Guild was established in 1983 by Joyce Fenton and Bill Edwardes. It has members throughout the UK and in other parts of the world. Its stated aims are:
To raise the general standard of pressing flowers by enabling members to meet and share expertise and experiences;
To arrange teaching and seminar facilities for members and to encourage the formation of local groups;
To enable members to be part of a Guild which has a reputation for ensuring the highest standard in preservation of natural materials, presentation and "finish" of the product; and
To encourage members to improve their standard of work by a series of assessments to attain Bronze, Silver or Gold awards. In the case of overseas members, to obtain Grade I and Grade II Awards.
Proficiency awards in a number of different specialities may be attained after the Gold Award is gained. The Overseas Advanced Award may be taken by overseas members who have gained the Grade I and Grade II awards. A different subject for both of these awards is announced annually.
International organizations
International Pressed Flower Art Society
The IPFAS in an international pressed flower organization that promotes pressed flower art and offers education and holds competitions. It has members from over 20 nations including Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Mexico, and Australia. It was founded in 1999 by Nobuo Sugino, a Japanese pressed flower artist and President of Japan Wonderful Oshibana Club.
