Hi, my name is Ola, founder of Lula Femra. I’m originally from Warsaw, Poland but moved to the UK in 2018. Life’s journey brought me to Sheffield which I now call home and where I started my business. I’m a modern flower preservation artist and ceramicist.
Since I remember I have always been very connected to nature and very creative. For over 13 years I’ve been trying to figure out which creative activity is my favourite and where there is potential of growing the business. I can’t say I’ve tried it all but the list is not short: sewing, paper making; candles; ceramics; knitting; needle felting; drawing etc.
Finally, 5 years ago I put my first blossom between the pages of my book and when I saw it a weeks later I knew it would not end on that. Since then, something changed, I couldn’t look at home lawns the same way again as I fell in love with flowers and other botanical materials even more. I’ve become passionate about their different textures, colours, shapes, fragrances and loved the idea of being able to preserve them. It’s not simply drying the flower or a leaf, it’s capturing this precious moment when your garden was in full bloom or when someone gave you a lovely bouquet and you didn’t want to forget how special it was.
Finally, 5 years ago I put my first blossom between the pages of my book and when I saw it a weeks later I knew it would not end on that. Since then, something changed, I couldn’t look at home lawns the same way again as I fell in love with flowers and other botanical materials even more. I’ve become passionate about their different textures, colours, shapes, fragrances and loved the idea of being able to preserve them. It’s not simply drying the flower or a leaf, it’s capturing this precious moment when your garden was in full bloom or when someone gave you a lovely bouquet and you didn’t want to forget how special it was.
But not only opening the flower press after a few weeks of pressing brings me happiness. It’s the whole process starting from observing nature and finding interesting forms, colours, textures in it, ending working with the final product - brittle, delicate, requiring 100% attention.
I’m using traditional flower pressing technique and my work represents patience, the beauty of nature and harmony. Everything is made locally in my studio in Kelham Island, using good quality materials and following the principle that less is more. My goal is to grow an appreciation of nature around, inspire and boost the creativity in us.
Lots of love,
Ola
