Flower Friend Spotlight - Stephanie @ Lush Magnolia
I want you all to meet one of my dear friends, Stephanie. She is the owner of Lush Magnolia, a floral preservation boutique in New Orleans. I hope you all get a chance to work with and meet Stephanie, she is such a kind and creative person. You’ll love her and her amazing work as well!
What made you get into preserving flowers?
Lush Magnolia is the culmination of my lifelong passions and career experiences. As an artist, lover of nature/science as well as coming from a career in the NOLA wedding industry, flower preservation was the perfect fit for me. I knew that it was a vendor we were missing in our market and it suited my background and all of my skill sets. The idea that I could be an entrepreneur and remain in the industry that I loved was a dream come true. What truly drives me in this work though, is the sentimental meaning behind each piece. I'm honored to have the opportunity to work on each one.
How can brides and clients get their bouquets and flowers to you?
We have a studio with a storefront located at 2900 Magazine Street where clients can drop off their bouquets. We also accept shipped flowers from anywhere in the US.
How soon after the wedding or event do they need to get them to you?
Ideally, we would receive the flowers the following day, but we accept up to 4 days after the event for pressed work. We do accept flowers after the 4-day mark, including already dried flowers from years ago, but only for 3D preservation.
What are their options as far as how to preserve them?
Our preservation method is really driven by the product that the client selects. Most clients will select multiple items which entails different methods. We offer items that require traditional pressing, speed pressing, modified 3D, and 3D.
When preserving flowers, are there flowers that do better than others?
Generally speaking, when preserving special occasion flowers that have passed through so many hands, (the farmer, the wholesaler, the florist, the client) regardless of the variety, not all flowers will survive the drying process. Some flowers & foliage do better with one drying method than another. For example, I prefer to speed press tropical flowers & foliage which helps to maintain the vibrate colors rather than other methods that tend to have a brown outcome. Flowers with a high moisture content within the petals are more difficult to press such as orchids, calla lilies, lilies, anthuriums, & succulents; however, I have found some success speed pressing them. White flowers are notoriously difficult as well. Very few varieties will remain white when dried, but the quality that I receive them in greatly affects the outcome. They will typically turn an antique white or ivory, but can sometimes turn yellow or even beige. This is a topic I could discuss for hours.
What sort of products do you create? Do you have a favorite?
With over 50 different options, we have an extensive list of products that we offer. Most clients will select multiple items for themselves and/or gifts for family and friends. It ranges from decorative blocks, serving trays, bookends, picture frames, to smaller functional items like end tables, wine stoppers, and ring holders as well as pendant necklaces or key chains. My current favorites to make are the end tables, trays, and bookends.
How long does the process take from start to finish?
The process can take as few as 6 weeks depending on the types of flowers, drying method, and products selected. That is IF we didn't have other orders. However, we are fortunate to have a full workload, which makes our general turnaround time 8-16 weeks. I am constantly working on ways to improve our turnaround time without losing the quality that we strive for. At the end of the day, this is resin artwork, which shouldn't be rushed. Waiting a couple of extra weeks for something you will keep for a lifetime, will be worth it in the long run.
What is your favorite flower?
This is such a tough question because I have so many favorites! If we are talking in general, the Japanese magnolia is my all-time fav! If we are talking about flowers that I preserve for clients I love peonies, ranunculus, & anemones the most.
Lush Magnolia is the perfect small business to support for your bride/grooms and any other flower lover wanting to preserve their special occasion florals forever. Check out our Holiday Gift Guide blog for some other floral-inspired holiday ideas.
