Sometimes a new hobby or skill can come about unexpectedly. In this week’s feature, Carly Gee, a pressed flower artist and the creator of The Dandelion Fox, shares her story of what happened after an image on Pinterest inspired her to begin pressing flowers. It reminds us that wonderful things are out there; we just haven’t learned about them (or grown them) yet.

We’ve included links to some of the flowers mentioned and shown in this article for those interested in growing, pressing, and creating their own floral creations.

Planted as Seedlings

Like many of us, Carly’s fondness for gardens began early on. “My love and passion for flowers and plants stemmed from growing up with a nature-loving, garden growing family. Years ago, I decided to start growing my own small flower garden. While doing some research online, a Pinterest link on ‘pressing flowers’ caught my eye. From there, I went down a rabbit hole experimenting with the process through lots of trial and error. It absolutely blew my mind that through this process, I could keep alive the fleeting moments in my garden! Pressing flowers quickly became a passion, which later bloomed into my business, The Dandelion Fox.”

Carly expanded her work and began helping others hold onto their own floral memories.

“Bouquet preservation took root a few years later when a friend asked me to press their cousin’s wedding bouquet as a keepsake. Since sharing on social media, friends and couples from around the U.S. began booking their bouquet to be lovingly pressed and framed.”

Anemones are one of many types of flowers that are stunning both fresh and pressed. View Halden’s Anemone selection here.

The Dandelion Fox Favorites

So you might be asking, what does a talented and nature-loving artist grow and use most often?

“I find myself favoring the use of medicinal plants, like yarrow, lavender, calendula, lemon balm, borage, echinacea, etc. in my work as much as I can. I think their magical healing powers speak to me, and do the same for others. Daisies and cosmos always end up in my pieces, too! I love their familiar shape, and that they bloom in so many different colors and sizes. Not to mention, they are easy to grow!”

Click on the following to view our available plants: Yarrow, Calendula, Lemon Balm, Cosmos

Carly’s use of different plants together in her compositions are stunning. Together the colors and shapes build something greater than anything could alone.

“Recently, my favorite pieces are from the collection of handmade, walnut and maple frames built by my Dad. I completed them with flowers my Mom and I grew at our home or picked wild near me. This collection of work truly feels like a walk in our backyard. It is such a remarkable experience to hold up one of my frames and be brought back to the memories behind each pressed plant. Sometimes, I add a naturally-expired butterfly or moth that I found to my pressed flower art. When I do, they always end up my favorites, and hardest to let go!”

View more of Carly’s inspiring work on her website or on Instagram at @thedandelionfoxart

All photos courtesy of The Dandelion Fox