Sandy|@sandys_resin_art

Sandy Ryan is a passionate floral preservationist who has embraced her new journey in Michigan after relocating from Denver last summer. With four years of experience, Sandy has transitioned from being a nail technician to pursuing floral preservation full-time. A mother of two adult sons living in Arizona, she and her husband are excited to cultivate their own flowers on their farm, enhancing her passion for preserving these natural beauties. Sandy’s love for flowers was reignited when a friend of her son’s, a wedding photographer, introduced her to the concept of preserving blooms in resin. Initially experimenting with cheap materials, she found her calling in using Wisedry silica gel for its superior ability to maintain the color and shape of flowers. Sandy cherishes the emotional connections she fosters through her work, especially poignant stories like that of a client who shipped her late father’s memorial flowers from New York. For Sandy, floral preservation isn’t just a job; it’s a fulfilling way to express her creativity and provide lasting memories for others, igniting joy in the faces of those who receive her beautifully crafted resin pieces.

Great! Sandy, can you do a little bit of an introduction of yourself first?

Ok. I’m Sandy Ryan I started floral preservation about 4 years ago. I moved to Michigan from Denver last summer. I have 2 adult boys that live in Arizona . My husband and I are Farming the land we have. I’ll be growing my own flowers for floral preservation. We’re excited about our new journey. I am a retired nail technician and do my floral preservation full time now.

Congratulations on your new journey! It’s great to meet you Sandy!

Thank you , it’s great meet you to. 

What makes you start the flower preservation career? Is there a special moment?

I’ve always loved flowers. A friend of my sons is a wedding photographer and she had mentioned preserving flowers in resin. I used to do acrylic pour paintings and coated them with resin. I looked up on YouTube how to preserve flowers in resin and experimented at first using pressed flowers and cheap resin from the craft store. I was intrigued on how to make the flowers look 3D. I watched tons on videos on how to preserve flowers and self taught myself how to do it.

I bought the cheap silica gel from the craft store at first. Didn’t work to well. Then I had a girl bring me pre dried flowers from her grandmas funeral- they looked perfect- she told me about Wisedry . That’s when I found your product.

Sandy’s Art

Hahah, wonderful! You have already answered the next question I want to ask. During the years of flower preservation, you must try many brands of silica gel crystals. Why do you choose us at the end?

Yoursilica keeps the color of the flowers better, and the shape. I can use it more than just 1 time before recharging it. The first brand I used was Activa from Michaels craft store. I am so glad that our product can help you preserve better flowers! The flowers also feel stronger after they dry. They don’t feel flimsy.

During your career, you must have preserved memories fore many people. Is there a story that leaves you a stong impression?

There is. I had a lady from New York ship me her dad’s memorial flowers. One of the first funeral preservations that I did. I was nervous about her shipping to Denver in the middle of winter. She sent them UPS. About 5 days went by and no flowers. I told her how to wrap them for shipping, which she did it correctly. She messaged me and asked if I received the flowers- I hadn’t. I looked in the mailroom several times and no flowers- UPS lost them. She filed a claim – 7 days have gone by now. The flowers suddenly showed up on my doorstep.,I managed to save most of them and sent back her memorial piece. It was beautiful. That lady ordered multiple bouquets from me after that. I felt really bad and was going to refund her deposit. But she insisted I wait.

The lady’s flowers

Awww, what a lovely story. You must be very anxious while waiting for the bouquet.

I was so nervous! I felt so bad for her. Those flowers meant a lot to her.

I truly understand it. Last question! If you could sum it up in one sentence, what does this job, flower preservation mean to you?

I will do that. Flower preservation gives me the freedom to do what I love. I love seeing the faces of people who I’ve done preservations for Light up when I give them their resin piece. I get many compliments at my art shows on clear my resins and how beautiful the fliers look. The flowers also feel stronger after they dry. They don’t feel flimsy.

 It’s amazing. Thank you.

writer Mingzhu Wu

30.08.2024