Meet Elisabeth Russell | Flower Preservation Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisabeth Russell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisabeth, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I think one thing people are surprised about is how nuanced and labor-intensive flower preservation is. Each type of flower requires a unique pressing strategy, and no two bouquets are the same. There are some flowers we deconstruct completely and glue back together once they are dried and others that require layers of paper arranged in a certain way to get the desired result. It has taken us months of experimenting, but we feel confident that it has led to us delivering a high-quality product for our clients.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey into professional flower preservation started when I decided to save my own wedding flowers (and ended up basically destroying them trying to DIY it!). I felt challenged to figure out where I had gone wrong in the pressing process and began experimenting to get more desirable outcomes. The process sparked something in me, and I realized I love to create art from nature. Balancing my career as an environmental engineer by day, I devoted my evenings to mastering the art of flower pressing. I began preserving for clients, and it has snowballed into a flourishing business. We truly believe that flowers deserve more than just one day to shine, and can be enjoyed forever as pieces of heirloom art. Our designs reflect the unpredictable and whimsical beauty of nature, ensuring that each piece is as unique as the memories it holds.

Expanding a small business alongside a full-time job presents numerous challenges, with time constraints being the most significant. Through the growth of Peachy Petals, we have come to understand the significance of patience, perseverance, and efficiency, particularly in refining our craft and enhancing our processing system. Each challenge has taught us to adapt and innovate, ensuring that our work consistently meets the highest standards. We’ve discovered the value of building strong relationships with our clients and the creative community, as their trust and support have been crucial to our success. Ultimately, every step of this journey has reinforced our commitment to quality and personalized service.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is a vibrant city with so many wonderful options of things to explore – the ideal Saturday in the city …… start off with crepes from Amelies Bakery & Cafe by Krog Street Market, walk the beltline towards Piedmont Park (grabbing a drink from Harbor coffee while you walk). Be sure to pop into ponce city market to check out the cute stores and shopping inside before making your way to Piedmont Park for the farmers market. Next, head a little further north to the Battery and catch a Braves game. Grab dinner nearby before enjoying America’s favorite pastime, and if you are feeling up for it, spend the rest of the night in the best dueling piano bar located right next to the Braves stadium – Park Bench!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have contributed to the success and growth of my small business. My mom and husband have been my sounding boards and cheerleaders, even when they did not fully understand the pressures of running a small business. I also want to recognize the local florists and wedding planners who believed in Peachy Petals and gave me the opportunity to collaborate and grow. Additionally, the creative community, both online and offline, especially The Founders Society, has been a source of inspiration and learning, helping me refine my techniques and expand my horizons. Their collective influence has played a significant role in the success of Peachy Petals, and I am incredibly grateful for their contributions to my story.

Website: https://www.peachypetalsco.com

Instagram: @peachy.petals.co

Facebook: Peachy Petals Flower Preservation

Image Credits
Abby Byrd Photography