Diana|@vhamaine

Diana is a resilient and creative individual with a diverse background, holding a degree in applied mathematics and having worked as a civilian contractor in fields such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and business efficiency for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy. After facing significant personal challenges, including a battle with PTSD and caring for her elderly parents, Diana redirected her life towards art. She moved from Cape Cod to Maine, where she launched her own art business and now works part-time at a bed and breakfast near Acadia National Park. Diana’s journey into flower preservation emerged as a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to channel her experiences into creating meaningful keepsakes. She finds joy in preserving flowers for families, including her own, as a way to honor memories and connect with others. Diana appreciates the quality of Wisedry silica gel, which she has chosen for its ability to enhance the colors of her floral creations. For her, flower preservation is not just a craft; it is a vital connection to family history, igniting cherished memories and offering a sense of peace and healing.

Diana,can you do a little bit of an introduction of yourself first?

I’m much more talker than typer. Any hoo I have a degree in applied mathematics I used to work as a civilian goverment contactor in cryptography artificial intelligence biometric security and business efficiency for department of defense and us Navy and the patent and trademark office. I got sick had to redirect life and Spent some years taking care of my parents made lots of art then and a few years back after covid I moved to Maine from Cape Cod and started my little art business near my aunt that owns an art gallery. And I work part time at an Bed and Breakfast in bar harbor on an island near the National Park.

Love hot yoga have a few fat cats.

What an excellent life! You are very smart! I am curious. After you experience such a life, why did you choose to start a flower preservation business? I mean there are many opportunities for a small business.

I went through really bad PTSDin 2019 that ended up with a felony strangulation trial against an ex bf that was also my childhood neighbor and during covid I had a private eye follow me everywhere and I was taking care of eldery parents and I’m disabled myself I was broken yet when I was healing making art was the only things that made my brain go at peace. I already was taking stained glass and mosaic lessons I sealed mosaics with resin for my bead mosaic used it more and more So ever since I moved away in 2021 to Maine 2 months before the felony trial I decided every decision I made was going to be up make more art and get paid for it at the same time since it was the only thing that brought me out of that PTSD funk.

I feel so sorry to hear that. You have been through a lot. Does the flower preservation helps you better with the PTSD funk?

Yes.The creating process is so great for it.

So glad to hear that. During the business, you must have many opportunities to talk to people and help them preserve their memories. What do you feel when you are experiencing that? Is it a good way to connect with people for you?

I got to preserve some flowers after my stepdad passed for my family. It’s so nice that for all of us no matter where we go we all have gotta flowers hydrangeas like he used to grow that people sent after he passed each of us from the same group of flowers. It’s nice to have those memories for my family. And to see the anticipation for the brides and how happy they are to get them at the end is just amazing.

Big confidence booster written your going through depression to be able to create something that makes others so happy.

Diana’s Stepdad’s Flowers Preservation

I am glad that you can get some healings from this career. With years of flower preservation experience, you must try many brands of silica gel crystals. Why do you choose us at the end?

I tried the blue and white type and your kind different colors .I notice a big difference in color. Honestly quality after trial and error trying it different brands. I tossed all the blue white and want to replace everything I dry with too wise dry for this summer cuz I just want a better quality and consistency in my product.

If you could sum it up in one sentence, what does this job, flower preservation mean to you?

To me I feel like it’s a special place in a family’s history. Especially with weddings or memorials. Your literally helping love ones store their mental scrapbook of the day when it comes to the wedding or a person with memorial piece. Preserving the flowers will ignite their memories for a lifetime. That’s a precious spot to hold. You’re either breathing life into a lost soul with their memorial flowers. My mom says she smiles cuz it’s like looking at my step dad’s garden. And with weddings the piece ignites memories of the day a family started. That’s a big responsibility. And worth every other bit of effort to make it top quality results to last a lifetime.

It’s amazing. Thank you so much!

writer Mingzhu Wu

30.08.2024