Emma|@vivalaflora.resin

Emma is the creative force behind Viva La Flora, a flourishing side business that she manages alongside her full-time job as a graphic designer. Specializing in the preservation of flowers, ashes, and other cherished memories in resin, Emma’s journey began in 2023 after a friend’s inspiring photo of a bridal bouquet preserved in resin sparked her craftiness. Since then, she has expanded her skills to include crafting stunning jewelry pieces that she adores. The unique blend of her professional design background and her newfound passion for flower preservation allows Emma to connect with clients on a personal level, capturing their sentimental moments into tangible keepsakes. She has chosen Wisedry silica gel for its superior quality, which ensures that flowers dry evenly while maintaining their delicate beauty. Recently, Emma became a registered supplier to Gift of a Wedding, a charity providing weddings to those with terminal illnesses, highlighting the emotional depth and responsibility she carries in her work. For Emma, flower preservation is not just a craft; it is an opportunity to transform precious memories into timeless treasures, making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Interview

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

Hey there! I’m Emma, the proud owner of Viva La Flora, my little side business which I run alongside my full time job as a graphic design. Specialising in preserving flowers, ashes, and other cherished memories in resin. It all began in 2023 when my best friend showed me a photo of a bridal bouquet preserved in resin from Pinterest. Being the crafty person that I am, I couldn’t resist giving it a try: “I can do that!”. And just like that, my resin journey begun. Since then, I’ve ventured into crafting stunning jewellery pieces, which I absolutely adore.

So lovely! While working in two jobs, what’s the difference between graphic design and flower preservation? Would you have more opportunities to connect with more people in flower preservation?

Great question! While both graphic design and flower preservation are incredibly fulfilling in their own ways, they are quite different. In graphic design I use my creativity through digital and print media. Often collaborating with clients and bringing their concepts to life. It’s usually fast paced, involves a lot of problem solving, attention to detail and some very strict deadlines. On the other hand, flower preservation is more hands on and tactile. It allows me to work with different materials, capturing their beauty to create precious keepsakes. This is a much slower process that requires a more careful attention to detail and craftsmanship that is built up with experience. As for connecting with people both give unique opportunities for this. In my full time job as a graphic designer I often interact with clients, colleagues and other professionals in the creative industry exchanging ideas and collaborating on projects.
Emma’s Art
Emma’s Art

In flower preservation I can connect with my clients on a more personal level as I help them to preserve their cherished memories and create meaningful pieces that hold true sentimental value. So in all, both offer different experiences to connect with people but both allow me to express my creativity and make meaningful contributions in their own way. I love both. 

Sorry if that is too long.

No worries. It’s an excellent answer! I am so happy to have known the difference!

Haha thank you both are so rewarding in their own right but it’s great to be able to use both digital and hands on skills.

Based on your words, I find that you must be a person who is dedicated to creating better work. Over the years, you must have tried many brands of silica gel crystals. Why did you choose us in the end?

I’ve experimented with various brands of silica gel crystals over time but ultimately wisedry stood out for several reasons. An issue I encountered with other brands was the size of the crystals, many other brands have larger pieces that don’t easily fall between the petals of the flowers. This caused the flowers to dry unevenly and even damaged some delicate flowers. Wisedry crystals are much smaller in size so are perfect for drying flowers. A standout feature of wisedry is the colour changing indicators. The visual change from orange to green when the silica is saturated is incredibly helpful. Knowing exactly when it needs to be recharged ensures optimal drying conditions. This brings me into another element of wisedry that is amazing, being able to recharge and reuse the crystals. I tend to do mine in the oven so I can fill multiple trays at once and leave them to dry out for a few hours. When the green beads turn back to orange I know it’s ready to be used again.

Thank you so much. Glad that we can help you preserve flowers better!

Also the fact that the silica is non toxic is great, knowing I am using a product that is safe and environmentally friendly draws me in even more to using and sticking with the wisedry brand. It’s just great!

As you have mentioned, you can connect with your clients on a more personal level and help them to preserve cherished memories. During the career, is there a story that leaves you a stong impression?

There certainly is. At the end of last year I became a registered supplier to Gift of a Wedding, a UK based charity that provides weddings for people with terminal illnesses who are unable to organise or afford a wedding in the time they have. In December last year a wedding local to me was being organised by the charity and of course I jumped at the chance to offer my services to the bride and groom. They accepted and the flowers were delivered to me by some of their friends. Tragically, I was contacted a few weeks later and told that sadly the husband had passed away, only a few weeks after their wedding. I am now not only working on a bouquet to preserve the memory of the wedding day but also to honour the brides lost love one. This emphasises the profoundness of preserving memories and my responsibility to capture these moments in time, forever. I am yet to finish this piece but as I work on it I hope that it will provide comfort to the bride and their children.

As well as a reminder of the love the couple shared. It is a privilege to work with Gift of a Wedding and I can’t wait to share this piece with the bride when it is ready. I hope it will bring some light into dark days. It’s quite emotional really.

Oh god. This is really saddening.

It really is. But they got the wedding day of their dreams before he sadly passed away, and for that they are so grateful. I truly cannot wait to send her her piece. Yes of course I can. I may have recorded drying it too, which of course I used wisedry for.

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

Being a flower preservation artist means being entrusted with the task of creating beautiful pieces that incorporate the precious memories and emotions of my clients, transforming them into timeless treasures with heartfelt meaning.

This is very deep. Thank you so much! We will compile the interview into an article and post it on our account.

writer Mingzhu Wu

30.08.2024

返回博客

发表评论