Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy has been actively involved in dried flower art for the past two years and has achieved considerable success. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

By Thanh Nga

Dried flower art has gained popularity due to its natural appeal and use of environmentally friendly materials.

The concept originated from the practice of pressing flowers and leaves in books, which has been adapted and innovated by young artists to create unique artworks. With readily available materials such as dried flowers, picture frames, and glue, artists can freely make creations according to their preferences.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy, a resident of Hà Đông District, Hà Nội, has been actively involved in dried flower art for the past two years and has achieved considerable success, earning a lucrative monthly income from her work.

Recalling her journey, Thủy said: "It all began with the idea of gifting my partner a bouquet of daisies on his birthday. However, fresh flowers were not suitable for a male recipient, and wilted flowers held no value. That's when I had the inspiration to create something beautiful from dried flowers, and since then, my love for pressed flower pictures has only grown."

Thủy has dedicated herself to learning the dried flower art and making pictures since 2022.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy is seen at work, arranging assorted dried flowers in frames. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

"I have researched and learned from abroad through social networks about how to craft a picture, how to coordinate colours harmoniously, and combine them with personal creativity to have a unique look and improve every day," she told Việt Nam News.

"I then shared my dried flower pictures on social media, and they were well-received. With time, I accumulated experience and developed my own techniques to enhance the beauty of my creations."

Thủy also recounted the challenges she faced during the initial stages, particularly due to Việt Nam's hot and humid climate, which caused dried flowers to lose their colour quickly if not properly preserved. Furthermore, the properties of flowers and leaves would alter after each pressing.

A dried flower picture of Thủy. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

"For instance, green-leaf tulips would turn yellow after pressing, and roses would change to a purple hue," Thủy said.

To achieve beautifully pressed dried flowers, she emphasised the importance of using a set of tools including pressed wood panels, absorbent paper, foam padding, and screws.

She further elaborated on her work process, saying, "After extracting all the moisture from the petals, I place them in a zip bag, vacuum seal it, and wait for five to 10 days. Finally, I remove the flowers from the press and arrange them within a picture frame."

Thủy highlighted the most challenging aspect of the process, which is selecting the ideal time for the flowers to bloom and attain their most beautiful form for pressing. This process requires thorough research on the properties of each type of flower and precise timing. After pressing, the flowers must be stored in zip bags or airtight containers

"Failure to press the flowers correctly can result in bruising or discolouration. Each type of flower needs a specific pressing time. For example, roses with delicate petals require 4-5 days, while sunflowers may need up to a month."

An artwork of Thủy. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

According to Thủy, certain flowers contain a high amount of resin, which causes them to turn black or brown after pressing. Additionally, some flowers may not adhere tightly to the picture frame, resulting in colour fading after a few weeks.

"I have faced these challenges repeatedly and have had to overcome them through experimentation," Thủy said.

Each stage of the process, from pressing the flowers to framing and decorating, requires meticulous handling.

A lamp is made of dried wedding flowers. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

"To ensure the picture a harmony of colour, the main and secondary flowers should be arranged in a balanced manner. Moreover, the end product needs to be durable and versatile," Thủy explained.

To create intricate and artistic dried flower pictures, Thủy either purchases beautiful flower bouquets or uses flowers from her own garden.

Some newlyweds even sent her their wedding bouquets, which she dried and turned into artwork, preserving cherished memories.

Due to the handmade nature of the products, Thủy is unable to expedite the working process. On average, each piece takes one or two weeks to complete. Thủy often makes two main types of pictures: wedding flower pictures and gift pictures. Her creations are known for their uniqueness, as she continuously incorporates creativity and explores new materials for her products.

A dried flower frame to celebrate Teachers' Day. — Photo courtesy of Thủy

Currently, she sells dried flower artworks at prices ranging from VNĐ350,000 to VNĐ2.6 million per piece.

Customers often buy them for weddings as well as to adorn their homes, shops, restaurants, or as souvenirs or gifts, Thủy said.

"To increase my income, I also sell wholesale dried flowers and open dried flower art classes, providing opportunities for young people to engage in this business. Currently, my products are available in numerous provinces and cities, generating an estimated monthly profit of around VNĐ150 million," she said.

Thủy said that the dried flower art in the country has yet to be developed, due to the lack of technology for pressing dried flowers.

She believes that the profession holds great potential for future growth. As long as the petals remain beautiful despite external bruising, drying them through pressing can still be profitable.

"Not only flowers but also plants can be pressed and dried, so these products will become more familiar to everyone in the future," Thủy said.

Hanoian Nguyễn Mai Hoa spent over VNĐ2 million to buy some dried flower frames at Thủy's shop for home decoration.

Hoa expressed her admiration, saying, "I find Thủy's pictures to be incredibly delicate and naturally beautiful, resembling fresh flowers. The arrangement and colour combinations in her creations are beautiful and harmonious." VNS

A dried plum flower picture. — Photo courtesy of Thủy