You may have been one of those kids growing up who crammed books full of your favorite blooms so you could keep them forever or add them to cards or collages. I even still do this as an adult, let’s be honest. Wooden flower presses are just a fancy form of this preservation technique. 

I make flower presses that are hand cut to whatever your desired size and design preference is.  Presses typically come packed with some starter cardboard and paper as well as the appropriate bolts, washers and wingnuts. Using the press is kind of like making a sandwich. In between the pieces of wood (bread) you want to follow a pattern so the flowers dry out appropriately. 

Start with a base layer of cardboard and a few sheets of paper. Add your flowers, giving them a little room so they don’t run into each other as they flatten over time. Then add a few sheets of paper and pieces of cardboard on top. If you keep this pattern up (cardboard, paper, flowers, paper, cardboard) you can stack as high as the bolts will allow you to go. Stack that filler as tall as you want before putting the top piece of wood back on. Tighten the wing nuts down as far as your mighty hands will allow and leave it for 2 weeks. I know it’s hard to not peek at it in the meantime (sometimes I look anyway), but trust that it’s worth the wait.