Cat Gilbert
Hammered flowers with CAT GILBERT
Thank you all for joining me for Hammered Flowers at Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. Your support of the Museum is so important and I love showcasing new types of design and art whenever I can! Please see some history of Hammered Flowers below and a step by step guide on how to do Hammered Flowers at home. And don't forget to sign up for future classes as the Villa or book a private class with me for your next event!
HISTORY
The history of hammered flower art can be traced back to ancient times. Pressed flower art was practiced by the ancient Egyptians, who used it to create decorative pieces and for religious purposes. They would press flowers and plants between sheets of papyrus or linen and incorporate them into burial rituals and ceremonies.
There is also a suggested history of flower pounding (called Hapa Zome or Tataki Zome) being used in ancient times in Japan. The Mexican techniques of using natural dyes for fabrics more than likely had a great incluence on hammered flowers as well.
The art of flower pounding gained popularity during the Victorian era in the 19th century. This era was known for its fascination with botany and the natural world. Women, in particular, enjoyed collecting and preserving flowers as a hobby. They would press flowers in books, creating detailed collections known as herbariums.
https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers
Hammered flower art as we know it today began to emerge in the late 20th century. Artists and crafters discovered that pounding flowers with a hammer released their natural pigments, resulting in vibrant and detailed imprints on paper or fabric. This technique allowed for more artistic freedom and creativity compared to traditional pressed flower arrangements.
Hammered flower art became especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s when the interest in crafts and do-it-yourself projects soared. Artists and enthusiasts experimented with various flowers and leaves, exploring the different colors and textures that could be achieved through hammering. They used hammers, mallets, or even rubber mallets to gently pound the flowers onto paper or fabric, creating unique designs and patterns.
Over time, hammered flower art has evolved and expanded, with artists incorporating other techniques such as hand-painting, embroidery, or collage to enhance their creations. It has become a beloved craft that combines nature, creativity, and a touch of nostalgia.
HOW TO
MATERIALS
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Fresh flowers (freshly picked spring flowers (like petunias) work very well. I've also found herbs, leafy vegetables, iris, and other flowers with delicate petals work best.)
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Thick paper (I use water color paper) or mordanted fabric (I suggest 100% cotton but you can also use silk, wool or other fabrics, just be sure to research how to prepare each type of fabric.)
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Hammer
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Paper towel or parchment paper
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Markers, pens or paint (optional)
Step #1
If you are using fabric be sure to mordant any fabric before you start. If you are using paper you can move directly to step 2.
Step #2
Collect your flowers and choose your arrangement. Remember, once you use a flower, it cannot be reused. So, it is important to either do tests of the same flower before you use them all or predecide what you plan to use where. I prefer to do the arrangement with one element at a time, so you may want to stage your arrangement before you start hammering.
Step #3
Once you have your arrangement, set up your fabric or paper on a hard, flat surface. It is best if the surface will not move and remember it will be noisy! Place your first piece of floral on the paper or fabric and cover with a sheet of parchemnt or paper towel (I prefer paper towel because it moves less.)
Step #4
Gently hammer the floral element. Slow, and steady wins the race. If you hit the flower to hard it will just mash into a pulpy blob. Make sure you have hammered all the areas of the floral element and that there are no gaps left in the flower or leaf.
Step #4
Gently remove the paper towel and peel off the leaf or floral element. Voila! You are done, you have pounded your first flower! Continue until the full arangment is complete.
Step #5
Let your fabric or paper dry completely and then brush off any extra flower pulp. If you use fabric gently hand wash with a touch of dish soap to clean. Then lay to dry. Do not wash in washer or dry in dryer. Natural dyes will fade over time and fabric should be decorative only!
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