Sharing the love.. Wilder & Wren

For anyone needing a gentle boost or a lift in mood, may I suggest browsing the Wilder & Wren collection of pressed wildflower artworks made by Beth Kendall…

Based in Dorset, Beth founded her business in 2016 with the intention of offering a modern approach to the traditional craft of flower pressing. Designs are inspired by nature, folklore, femininity, motherhood and home-making.

Timeless and contemporary

There’s something about the way Beth combines timeless tradition and aesthetics with contemporary sensibility that really appeals to me. How gorgeous is this Blanket of Flowers pressed flowers print? You can see how the pattern placement is inspired by appliqué quilts, vintage textiles and folklore crafts, which to my mind makes this as interesting as it is pretty.

blanket of flowers pressed wildflower print by wilder and wren

Original artworks

If you’d like to snap up one of Beth’s original artworks, you’ll need to keep a regular eye on her shop, as they sell out fast. I’d have loved this original pressed flower Meadow Flower Frame for instance, but I missed my chance. I am wondering, however, about having a go at pressing some wild flowers myself.

wilder and wren pressed wild flowers artwork

Beth’s beginner’s guide

Beth’s 8-page printable guide booklet seems like it would be a great place to start. It’s just £5 and is the perfect guide to accompany readers on the journey through wild flower season. It includes notes on foraging for wildflowers, pressing flowers, making art, the BSBI code of conduct, flower folklore and the ‘language of flowers’ – or Victorian Floriography – as well as an essential reading list for wild flower-lovers. I’m going to treat myself. That’s a lot of pleasure in store for just a fiver.

wilder and wren guide to flower pressing

If you’re looking to find a pretty gift idea, the Pressed Poppy print is a great find – just add it to a simple frame and you’re on to a winner as far as I’m concerned. Ask yourself: who doesn’t love a poppy? Answer: no one.

And there’s something about this Horseshoe print that really appeals.

horseshoe pressed flower print wilder and wren

I know that horse shoes have a long history of magic and superstition reaching back to Medieval times, and that people would nail horseshoes to their front doors, to ward off evil spirits. To be frank, however, I just think I like the shape of it. Feels like a relaxed half-wreath as much as a horse shoe. Throw in some good luck and I won’t complain however… my Irish grandmother would definitely have approved. I won’t be throwing salt over my shoulder, feverishly searching to spot a second magpie or conversing with St Anthony to help locate my missing driving licence anytime soon, though. Okay, maybe just the briefest of heavenly requests for help with the lost license before I give up searching…

More favourite finds

Anyway, back to Wilder & Wren and the last two things I wanted to share with you.

Firstly, this writing set is totally gorgeous find – either for yourself or perfect as a gift.

wilder and wren pressed flower stationery writing set

The boxed set includes 24 sheets of writing paper decorated with 6 original pressed flower prints (forget-me-nots, buttercups, flax, field poppies, cuckooflowers and common vetch), 12 envelopes and is finished with a real pressed flower. Really quite lovely and all for £19.

My final favourite is this Midsummer Buttercups pressed flower print. It would make me dream of Summer days all year round. At £15+ that’s good value in my book.