The artist
Barbara Gaffney,
the founder and owner of "Everlastings" has
for over 20 years adopted her own preferred method of pressing and
drying flowers.
In
1997, Barbara was chosen as one of only 14 Americans to participate in
"The 1st International Pressed Flower Exhibition" in
Nagano, Japan. In
1998, she participated in
a touring exhibition throughout Japan. Ms. Gaffney is currently
working on two pieces that will be entered into competition at the
Royal Horticulturist Society, in
the Lawrence Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster England (June 2001).
The International
Pressed Flower Art Society will host this event and this large
UK-Japan cultural exchange is officially part of the "Japan Art
of Oshibana Exhibition". Ms. Gaffney states that "the
Japanese have brought our craft to a new level. With their love of
nature, their spirituality, combined with new methods and materials,
pressed flower craft is fast emerging as a true art form.
At Everlastings
we have invested in
Japanese flower presses that will help the flowers dry with a high
degree of color and delicacy. Although Everlastings
employs others to help run the studio, the final artwork is done
entirely by Ms. Gaffney to insure the highest quality in
design.
About
the process
Many methods can be
used to preserve flowers. Our goal is to create a long
lasting keepsake. For that reason we prefer pressing over
freeze drying. Freeze dried tends to lose its color
and the flowers get brittle very quickly whereas pressing
holds its color nicely and will stay brilliant for years to
come.
Many
of our customers prefer an unobtrusive look in framing as
compared to the big plastic bubble frame that is used to
hold a freeze dried bouquet. Another big benefit in pressing
is that with the use of our special powders, we can accept
flowers that are not in perfect condition!
The person who calls us a few days after the wedding is
often happy to hear that we can still use the original
flowers, not replacements!!!
Recommended
flowers for pressing
Certain flowers
lend themselves to the pressing process. For example, red roses
deepen to a burgundy shade while pinks, often go a shade lighter.
