Bowie Mae X FleuRich
This Spring we are delighted to work with our friend Erin at Bowie Mae on a curated collection of pressed floral art, available exclusively at FleuRich Creations. As part of our local collaboration series, we chatted with Erin about how the collection came about and what inspires her stunning artwork and everyday passions.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Erin, and I’m the woman behind Bowie Mae. I’m based in Summerland, BC with my husband, two young kids and our Corgi pup, Astro.
Pressing flowers has always been a fun hobby of mine since I was a kid, having the techniques passed down from my Mom, who’s Mom taught her - all the way back to my Great, great grandmother. In 2018, I started to take it more seriously, creating my own flower presses in my garage. What first started out as my personal creative outlet, quickly turned into a successful business - I’m so grateful.
How did the collection come about?
In late 2021, Laurence had kindly given me the opportunity to showcase and sell some of my pieces in her store - FleuRich Creations. Having admired her floral work for years previously, I was so excited! I created a variety of pressed flower pendants, and to my amazement - they quickly sold out.
With that success came a new idea for a seasonal collaboration, working with a variety of flowers you can find throughout the year. So here we are, launching our first Spring collection!
What makes the collection unique?
What makes this collection so unique, is the fact each pressed flower piece is one of a kind - no two frames, pendants, cards are alike. Each spring flowers was mindfully sourced by the ladies at FleuRich, considering every tone and shape in the final pieces.
What are your favourite flowers to work with and why?
When it comes to pressing flowers, I’m always drawn to delicate, colourful flowers. A few of my favorites to press are Cosmos, Sweet peas, Lavender, Phlox, Hellebores, and Peonies.
Through my experience, each flower needs to be handled in a specific way when pressing, depending on the amount of water it retains, size and shape. Any kind of moisture is your biggest enemy when pressing flowers, which can result in mold/browning.
Tell us about you proudest moment or piece?
In 2021, Laurence had commissioned me to create a surprise birthday gift for Jillian Harris’ using their first flower farm harvest. It was such a joy to forage, preserve and commemorate their first year on their new farm through pressed flowers. I am so proud of how the frames came together, and they plan to display it in their new flower hut. I hope it can be a constant reflection of where they started and how much they’ll grow.
Who or what inspires and motivates you?
As someone who preserves a variety of flowers, I get the opportunity to work with a variety of talented growers, florists and designers here in the Okanagan. This art form has connected me with some incredible people. When I create a piece, it’s truly a love letter to everyone involved with those flowers. From the hands that grew each bloom, to the florists designing each arrangement, to the bride holding it down the aisle - I want to extend those memories and hard work for others to reflect on for years to come - Erin, Bowie Mae.