Margot|@bluemargot_margot.swinnen

Introduction

Meet Margot, a nature-loving 50-year-old residing in Belgium’s quaint village of Loksbergen. Following a career in fashion design and pattern making, Margot discovered her passion for flower gardening and preservation after overcoming a burnout in 2019. Her small flower-cutting garden not only serves as a sanctuary but also as a tribute to nature’s healing powers. Embracing the therapeutic benefits of gardening, Margot now creates stunning floral arrangements and hosts workshops on flower preservation, embodying her belief that flowers are more than just temporary beauties—they are timeless art pieces that capture memories and emotions. Join us as Margot shares her inspiring journey of growth, healing, and creativity.

Interview

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

Hi I am Margot , 50 years and living in Belgium in a small village called Loksbergen ( county Limburg ) I live happily together with my boyfriend, Ozzi , 26years we are together, I have no kids . I love nature and partically garden birds. My whole career I was employed in the fashion business, as designer and Pattern maker . In 2019 I had a burn-out, and I decides never work in this world again … Nature helped me to clime out of the burn-out and in 2021 I decided to have my OWN (small) flowercutting garden . It was a thank you back to nature , because it cured me and I saw the benefits of working with flowers and being creative with these beauties . (Gardening is good for body and soul ) , (grow flowers to save bees) Flowers are my paint to create flowerarrangement or weddingbouquets etc. Besides the flowers I give workshops with dried flowers , or making sustainable flowerarrangements (no green oasis) In wintertime I upholster small chairs, make christmas cards … make drawings …

What a wonderful answer. So great to meet you! I think it might be the translation problem. Could you tell me what is a burn-out?

Somebody in the UK told me “yuppie desease” , too much workptessure , too much stress results in this … it is the desease of this century … my body just stopped funtioning …

Oh, I see. I am sorry to hear that. So glad that you are not working in that world now. What makes you start your flower gardening journey? Is there a special moment?

The calmness of nature, living in the moment , grounding with earth , the beauty that nature gives , sowing seeds , seeing starting from seedling till Flower , and than processing it to a bouquet. Seeing all The butterflies and bees ,birds in my garden . It makes me calm and quit I often call it my therapy. Drying my flowers and transforming it to a long lasting art object.

It is so beautiful. I am curious. As you have mentioned, you only start the gardening at first. How do you know about silica gel crystals and us? Have you preserved bouquets or flowers for others?

With the flowers a grow , I can drie some upside down in my shed, but very often when I make a weddingbouquet , people ask me if they can dry it . Some flowers Will work very well and other don’t . Also the bouquet is made very densed together and if people keep it this way it Will mould very easely . So I was looking on insta for better results for drying and came out with wisedry. I thinking it would be an very bonus for the newly wedds if I can transform there weddingbouquet in a Nice dryed frame with the flowers of there most beautifull day . The colours stay so good with the silica and quit quickly to. All springflowers a lot of tulips and drying upside down doesn’t work well for them.

Totally understand. Margot, how long have you been in the flower preservation business?

About 2 years , but flowerpressing longer. Do you also have something for flowerpressing?

Yes sure! We are about to launch it in the UK this year. During the career, you must have preserved memories fore many people. Is there a story that leaves you a stong impression?

Well there is … I have two aunts , and I loved them so much , as a teenager(15years) my mom died in an accident since that day they helped me if possible . The two sisters were together for more than 70 years , last year the youngest aunt died … she was my favourite. She gave me always nice presents, and she was a florist , always busy in the garden , also loved the birds , we both had birdfeeders in our garden, she also was very creative … But about 10 years ago , she began to have troubles of , writing , seeing and speaking … In the last 5 years she couldn’t speak anymore … For a birthday present I made a frame with dried flowers , She loved it so much , you could see it in her eyes and smile … Nice memories of beautifull garden flowers . And I could feel she said , oooh Margot this is so beautifull, I ‘m so proud of you.

Awwww.So sweet and heartwarming. She must be a very kind lady. Last question! If you could sum it up in one sentence, what does flower preservation mean to you?

Prolonging the life of fresh flowers into beautifull art.

It’s amazing. Thank you so much for joining us.

Writer: Mingzhu Wu

19.07.2024