Rising Stars: Meet Hope Steinle of Lawrence

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Steinle.

Hi Hope, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with a spark of inspiration when I saw pressed flower art on Etsy. I love flowers and gardening but the thought of pressing flowers had never crossed my mind, until then. Once I opened that press for the first time and saw the beauty of the flowers, I instantly knew that this is what I wanted to do. I love every step of the process. From growing the flowers, finding ones to pick, and then the whole process of pressing them was so enjoyable & therapeutic. Once I knew that I wanted to make art from pressed flowers, I took a few courses online to learn how to press and glue flowers and went all in. Within a few months I had a website up, signed up for my first market, and started printing my own prints. My husband, Sean, takes high quality images of my original collages and we turn them into archival quality prints. Everyone always comments how real and 3D my prints look because of the amazing photography by Sean. Sean also makes my flower presses that I use and we sell them as well for others who enjoy the process of pressing with a traditional wood press on my website.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. From being a stay at home mom for 11 years to starting and running a business was overwhelming. As a business owner, you are wearing all the hats plus still have your family/home life to take care of. Luckily, I have a very supportive, hands on husband so we are able to split up tasks with the business and taking care of our 3 kids. It’s still a challenge but I’ve been leaning into more balance and listening to my body when I need rest.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Pressed Flower Artist & Wedding Bouquet Preservationist. I specialize in pressing flowers with traditional wood presses and design collages with those flowers. I am able to retain the flowers vibrant colors by how I press and all the care and attention that I give while they’re pressing for up to 8 weeks. Once the flowers are done pressing, I get to work on designing. For my Wedding Bouquet Preservation service, after the flowers are done pressing from the bouquet, I create a few different designs for the bride to choose from before permanently placing the flower on a heavy watercolor archival paper and then frame it. I feel so lucky to be able to preserve such a special day and create a custom piece of art that will hang in their home for them to remember their big day. I am also an artist and create my own designs and sell those as prints as well as pressed flower bookmarks on my website.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To slow down, listen to your body and remind myself that time is on my side. When I first started this business, I was so excited and motivated that I went to hard for to long and started feeling burnt out. I had all these ideas and was trying to do to much in a short amount of time. I had to remind myself that what is for me will not pass me by and I have time. Just focus on one thing at a time and I will keep moving forward. And one of the best things I can do is to reflect on how far I’ve come and realize that this time last year, I was wishing to be where I’m at today.

Pricing:

• Pressed Flower Art Prints- $23-$64
• Handmade Oak Flower Presses- $25-$85
• Pressed Flower Bookmarks- $13

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hopesteinle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopesteinle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570851209964