Filiz|@resinbyfiliz
Introducing Filiz Salawan Bessie, a passionate flower preservation artist and small business owner residing near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. At 51 years old, Filiz is happily married to Peter and is a devoted mother and grandmother. With roots in Turkey, she has embraced her creative spirit in the Netherlands, specializing in resin art, flower preservation, and functional art. Utilizing materials like Jesin and Cricut, she crafts personalized gifts that resonate with heartfelt meaning.
Filiz’s journey into flower preservation began when a friend, Megan, sought her help to honor her grandmother by preserving her flowers. This pivotal moment led to her recognition by a local funeral director, who encouraged her to showcase her work at a fair. Since then, Filiz has dedicated herself to transforming beloved floral tributes into cherished memorial pieces, often leaving clients amazed by the vibrant results.
One particularly touching experience involved two sisters who approached Filiz after the unexpected loss of their mother. They requested to preserve her flowers in a large resin heart, and Filiz honored their wish to wait for their father’s flowers, creating a lasting tribute that symbolizes their family’s love and connection. For Filiz, flower preservation is a meaningful way to help people keep their memories alive, providing comfort and joy through her artistic creations. Her commitment to honoring the memories of others makes her a cherished figure in the floral preservation community.
Interview
Filiz, can you do a little bit of an introduction of yourself first?
Oke. I’m Filiz Salawan Bessie and I’m 51 years old. Happily married with Peter. Mother of a son of 32 years old and daughter of 22 years old. 2 grandchildren girl 8 years and boy 4 years. I life in the Netherlands nearby Rotterdam. I’m a small business owner how works parttime for my social benefits. I work with Resin, flower preservation and making functional art. Work with Jesin (is like Jesmonite) and I work with Cricut to make personalist gifts and products. Like to be creative, to travel and read/listen romantic novels. My roots are originally from Turkey but I lived all my life in the Netherlands.
Wonderful. Great to meet you, Filiz! How did you start the flower preservation works? Are there any special moments?
I have seen it on internet and a liked the outcome very much. But wen Megan ask me if I would help here with here wish to preserve the flowers of her grandmother then I started to do it. The funeral director was impressed and asked me if I wanted to be at their fair. I did that and that’s how I started. We had a lot off people asking and being surprised because they did not know you could do flower preservation and putting it in resin. I had even a small bag with me to explain how it works and witch products I use.
Megan(left)&Filiz(right)
That’s lovely. You just like Cinderellas’ Fairy Godmother to help Megan preserve the beautiful flowers and memories.
It was wonderful and also very honored to help her.
I think you must have helped many people preserve their flowers. What were you thinking about when you dried those beautiful flowers? Is there a story or moment that stands out for you?
I feel very honored if people hand me their beloved flowers to dry with respect and dedication and turn them into a special memorial. What I remember most are 2 sisters who approached me because their mother passed away very unexpectedly and they wanted her flowers preserved into a large resin heart. During the drying process, I am asked if the flowers of their mother can wait longer, because their father is also in a bad position and they wanted to poured together with father’s flowers. Of course that’s possible. that’s how it’s done. 2 large funeral pieces with flowers processed in epoxy. the sisters themselves chose the flowers they wanted from me, because the choice was enormous. What I find most beautiful is that two people who have shared joys and sorrows all their lives are now still together. for the two sisters it gives strength and love to have a lasting memory of both parents.
Memorial Flowers Filiz preserved
Awww, I really want to cry after reading the story. It must be hard for them to deal with the death of both parents.
Yes it’s hard to miss your parents even if they lived a long live. You stil miss them.
You have done a wonderful job, Filiz. You really have. Aafke and Bineke will treasure this piece forever, I think.
If you could sum it up in one sentence, what does this job, flower preservation mean to you?
It’s for me to help people keep there memories for ever and always. The flowers have a much more beautiful look after drying with silica gel. People are amazed how the result look so vivid and colorful. It’s amazing.
It’s amazing. Thank you.
Writer Mingzhu Wu
29.08.2024