Pressed Flowers - Pressing the "Odd" Item, Part I

Birch trees shed their bark. I often find large swathes of it on the ground, and small bits peeling off of the trees that line the creek near my home. The piece in the photograph above is large and thick. This bark required the heat and pressure of an iron to flatten it out. Unfortunately, although this does work, it also darkens and muddies the beautiful swirled color of the bark. I prefer pressing smaller pieces of birch bark. I do not iron or use heated books to press, but instead place the bark inside a weighted book. Since the pieces are already dry they are ready to use in just a day or two.

The pieces of bark stay supple and are easily cut into interesting shapes to use in my pressed flowercraft. Baskets, bowls, birdhouses, wagons, small houses, etc., all of these, and more, can be created with delicate pieces of pressed birch bark.

Caution: Birch bark is a hiding place for ticks. Make sure to check for these pests after collecting birch bark.