In today’s interview, we’re honored to introduce Tricia, the heart behind Buds Blooms and Blossoms, a floral preservation studio rooted in a lifelong love of flowers and storytelling.
With over 25 years of experience in floral design and a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Utah State University, Tricia’s work is where artistry meets deep emotional meaning. What began with childhood memories of pressing wildflowers has grown into a heartfelt mission: helping people hold onto life’s most precious moments, petal by petal.
From joyful wedding bouquets to tender memorial keepsakes, Tricia approaches each project with compassion and reverence. One of her most unforgettable pieces combined funeral flowers with a father’s handwritten note—a lasting tribute created fifteen years after his passing, proving that love never fades.
We’re proud that Wisedry silica gel is part of Tricia’s creative process, helping her preserve not just flowers, but the beautiful stories they carry.
In Conversation with Tricia
Could you please tell me a little bit about your experience with dried flower work, or anything else you want to share?
Hi there! I’m Tricia—flower enthusiast, event florist, resin artist, and the heart behind Buds Blooms and Blossoms. I’ve always been captivated by the magic flowers bring into our lives—whether it’s through fresh, thoughtfully designed arrangements or preserving special blooms in resin to keep those cherished memories alive.
My love for all things that grow led me to earn a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Utah State University, and I’ve been designing with flowers ever since for over 25 years now. After years of working alongside talented florists and managing floral departments, I took the leap to start my own floral and flower preservation business.
When several brides began asking if I could preserve their bouquets, I expanded my wedding services to include resin preservation. During my research, I discovered Wisedry Silica Gel, and it quickly became my go-to. It consistently preserves my clients’ flowers beautifully, helping me create keepsakes that last a lifetime.
What inspired you to begin your flower preservation journey? Was there a defining moment that sparked it, or has this been a lifelong dream since childhood?
Flowers have always held a special place in my heart, even from a young age. I have fond memories of gathering wildflowers and pressing them between the pages of books. I saved dance corsages and kept my wedding bouquet for years. But without a proper way to protect them, they eventually crumbled and collected dust—fading pieces of once-treasured moments.
That’s what sparked my flower preservation journey: realizing how quickly fresh flowers, especially those tied to meaningful memories, can fade. I wanted a way to preserve not just the blooms, but the emotions and stories they represent.
As a florist, I witness people take home flowers for life’s biggest moments—weddings, funerals, anniversaries—and I’ve always wished there was a way to help those memories last. The defining moment came when a bride, desperate to keep her bouquet, asked if there was any way to save even just a piece of it. Her words stayed with me, and from that moment, I felt called to explore resin preservation.
During your work experiences on flower preservation, did any story leave a strong impression on you?
It was an honor and a privilege to work with Gayla on a very special flower preservation project. 15 years ago, Gayla tragically lost her husband, who was killed by a drunk driver while out for an evening walk with their daughter. He left behind Gayla and their 6 children.
Gayla entrusted me with preserving flowers from her husband’s funeral, to be combined with mementos that were meaningful to each of their children – coins from a special trip, horse shoe nails, glass gems, scouting pins, and a class ring. Working with the 15-year-old delicate flowers required the utmost care and attention to detail.
Being asked to create something so personal and sentimental is an incredible responsibility. I approached it with compassion, reverence and the highest level of care, knowing the deep meaning it would hold for Gayla and her family. The opportunity to help a family honor and remember their loved one is so powerful.
Even Fifteen years after their father’s passing, a deeply personal touch was added to the preserved flowers—“Love Dad” in his own handwriting, carefully replicated and embedded in resin alongside the blooms. The handwriting, once found on an old card, now lives on as a lasting tribute, capturing not only the beauty of the flowers but also the enduring presence of a father’s love. It’s a tender reminder that even after all these years, his words still hold a place close to the heart.
During the years of flower preservation, you must have tried many brands of silica gel crystals. Why do you choose us at the end?
Over the years of preserving flowers, I’ve experimented with many brands of silica gel crystals, always searching for the right balance of efficiency, quality, and consistency. I chose Wisedry in the end because your crystals consistently deliver vibrant, well-preserved blooms with minimal color loss. The indicator beads are reliable, the packaging is user-friendly, and the results speak for themselves. It’s clear that Wisedry prioritizes quality—and that makes all the difference in my work.
And my last question is, if you could sum it up in one sentence, what does this job, flower preservation mean to you?
To me, flower preservation means turning fleeting moments into lasting memories, capturing the beauty and emotion of life in every petal.
