Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Sutherland.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been lucky to grow up in the most magical places; Laguna Beach and neighboring beach cities in California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Vancouver, Canada. Being surrounded by this beauty is where I feel the calmest, and myself and the most creative. I love creating art in all types of mediums ever since I was a kid. As an artist, it can be challenging to find ‘one’ medium to use, so I dabbled in many. I love the process of hand making anything and always wanted to start a business.
A couple years ago I was gifted a piece of artwork that encompassed flowers. A Lightbulb went off! I said to myself “This is my medium, I am in love!” I can be outside in nature, forage, and create pieces for others who want more tranquility and peace in their homes. My work involves foraging for botanicals, pressing and drying them. I then arrange on Frames, Stationary, DIY Flower Art Kits where you can make your own frame with your kids or friends, and Fairy Flower Crowns. I also do bridal bouquet preservations, custom designs, and memorials. There is something so special about collaborating and sharing in others memories and stories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course when starting anything new it has its ups and downs and things come and go out of our lives. There was a point a couple years in when I wanted to stop. It is challenging to be the artist, sales, marketing and accountant and still feel creative. When I had my down times, the easiet thing is to just stop. But, things picked up again, I put my self out there in new and different surroundings and it has been so worth it. I love seeing the smiles and reactions I get from people about how niche and special my work is. It helps me to keep looking into the future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pressed Vibrations?
I am an artist at heart. I love to create in all mediums. I decided to focus on floral art becuase I love nature and see how happy it makes other people. I want to bring nature into the homes of others, preserved for life. So, now I consider myself a floral artist. I go out in parks and the forest and forage for botanicals I can dry and create art out of. I do a lot of festivals in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. It is niche art, and making a comeback! I am lucky to always have a crowded booth, get lots of questions about the process, and people reliving stories of thier parents pressing flowers in books when they were young. Everyone seems to love it. I also am contacted for Bridal Bouquet preservations which is so special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pressedvibrations.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pressedvibrations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PressedVibrations/
