Today’s featured Etsy shop is Designs in Floral, a shop featuring a variety of home and gift items created with pressed flowers. This includes intricate artwork, greeting cards, bookmarks, candles, pendants, and soaps.

I asked the owner of Designs in Floral a few questions about herself and her work.

Tell me about yourself. How did you get started making your art?

My mom is a florist so she makes beautiful arrangements with fresh, silk and dried flowers. I always loved helping my Mom gather flowers on the side of the road to dry. However, I was often disappointed that the brightest flowers could not be hung upside down to dry, and continue to be pretty. That is how my business got started. I went to a single class about how to press flowers and I was immediately hooked. To this day, I love to stop on the side of the road looking for flowers to dry. Now I pick those beautifully colored flowers and immediately press them to preserve their beauty. Then I make my own version of flower arrangements for you to enjoy. I love to take the pressed flowers and see how many new ways I can use them. My favorite things to do with them are to use them as my “paint”. A piece of fern becomes a evergreen tree, hydrangea petals transform into lakes or streams, and the stem from a tiger lily can become bark on a tree. Its always an adventure to create something new, because I don’t have any two flowers exactly the same.

What is your day job?

I have a variety of “jobs” I do. I work in my home as a Mom of 3 children (soon to be 4!). That alone is enough to keep me busy, but I also work part time as a medical assistant for a doctors office, as well as some volunteer work with my church. Sometimes I wish I had more time to create art, but I love everything I do. You can learn more about me on my own blog: http://designsinfloral.blogspot.com

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own small business selling handmade goods?

My only advice would be to GO FOR IT! It has been a great creative outlet for me to run my own business. I’ve stretched my capabilities with not only my craft, but also with learning how to run a business and create and maintain a website. It will keep you busy, but it will also keep you learning and expanding your mind.

Where is your work available for sale?

I sell at local craft shows and my online stores: http://www.designs-in-floral.com and http://designsinfloral.etsy.com.