Order Stages - so you’ve posted your flowers – what to expect next….

Order Form - Its very important I have a completed form before receiving your flowers for preservation. I do not dry all of your flowers, I select the freshest flowers to preserve and only enough to cover your order plus a few extra just in case. I also need to know if you would like any add on items that require flattened flowers. If you are unsure on which size/shape resin block to choose please get in touch and we can have a chat about it.

Design Form - this will be sent with your invoice, you can let me know if you have a specific design in mind. I am unable to go through email threads when it comes to designing your order, I only use the design form so please detail anything important regarding the design on this form.

Uploading any photos of your original flowers is very helpful if you would like your design to reference their original style (e.g. wedding bouquet). Please ensure your design form is completed, I am unable to send out reminders. If I do not have a completed design form I will have to create a design without your preferences and images for reference

Once I receive your flowers I send an invoice within 48 hours which is due upon receipt. If your order is over £300 it may eligible for a payment plan. No resin work starts until payment is made in full.

After payment is made in full you will then be placed in a queue in order of payment date, the length of this will be dependent on your chosen item(s) and my workload at the time. Please note it is unlikely I will be able to start your design straight away as I work on multiple orders at a time and I may need to wait for the mould to be free before I can start yours.

Do not worry your flowers will be well looked after in silica which is refreshed and checked regularly. Current turnaround time is 4 - 8 months from final payment and may be longer for larger orders and during peak times but I endeavour to complete orders as soon as possible.

Updates during the process.

Please use your tracking info to confirm if your flowers have been delivered rather than emailing. As long as you have sent me the tracking info to confirm you’ve posted them (on the day of postage), you can assume they have arrived safely unless I get in touch with an issue. You will receive emails at various stages of the process keeping you informed, these are stated below ;

-Final Invoices and Design Questions (within 24-48 hours of me receiving your flowers)
-Payment Confirmations (sent in batch once weekly)
-Design Approval (if a mock up is requested)
-Order Complete and Address Confirmation.

If you do not hear anything from me between the above stages it’s simply because I do not have an update for you and I’m busy creating orders. I wish I could contact everyone more regularly but that’s just not possible as I need to spend my time creating rather than doing admin. I will try and respond to any queries in the process as quick as possible, but if I’m not able get back to you straight away, please understand :)

Flower Preservation is a long and very delicate process with lots of variable elements. Please anticipate receiving your order within 4-8 months from the date that I receive your final payment. This timeframe is typical for flower preservation projects, and it may even take longer. I ask that you kindly allow for this timeframe before contacting to chase your order. I will always do my very best to get orders out to you as quickly as possible, however it is not always possible during busy periods. Sometimes, due to circumstances beyond my control this time-frame could be extended several times.

If you have ordered several items, especially several items of the same product, it’s very likely to increase the length of time the order takes. I only have a couple (sometimes one) of each mould so limited to how quickly I can make your order.

It’s very difficult to put a timescale on creating such beautiful pieces, I only get your flowers for a few months, but you will get to keep them forever.
Every piece is completely unique, and may take longer than expected, which is why I can’t give out expected completion dates. Please don’t expect to have your piece back by a specific deadline.

When I have receive your flowers I will revive them for a few hours in water containing flower food before placing in silica gel.

Depending on what flowers you have they can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks to dry.

Once your invoice is settled I may not start your order straight away as I work on multiple orders at a time and I may need to wait for moulds to be free before I can start yours.

I will design your order based on previous feedback from your design form. You should not expect to receive mock-up designs as I prefer to work with creative freedom due to my extensive experience with different types of flowers. Without the constraints of pre-determined mock up designs, I can adapt my creations in real-time without holding up the process. I understand what works best and how they can best be arranged.

If you would like mock-up designs this can be arranged, however please note that a fee of £25 per design will be added to your final invoice.

I will start by preparing each dreid flower which involves hand brushing any silica gel and sometimes repairing petals that have fallen with glue. This is a part of the process you don’t see and is very time consuming. Resin is then poured in layers every 24-36 hours (depending on the type of resin used for your order) and can take up to a couple of weeks depending on the items.

Once the items are fully cured these can then be demoulded. I will then see what extra finishing touches each piece needs. Usually most will require sanding and a shiny topcoat adding followed by polishing. These factors are the reason that time frames are not given and if they are they are only an estimate. I will give each piece all of the love and attention it deserves to ensure quality is not compromised and the pressure of deadlines/timescales are when things can go wrong.

Please note, these steps do not always go to plan the first time and may need to be repeated several times, which can increase the time to complete your order.

I love working with your flowers and strive for handmade perfection… I wouldn’t send anything out that I wouldn’t want to receive myself.

When I am happy that your order is complete I usually take photos of the finished pieces.

I always email a google form to confirm your delivery address and availability for delivery before dispatching your order to ensure there are no changes to your address. Your prompt completion of the form is appreciated so I can make dispacthes as quickly as possible in batches.

I then package your beautiful item(s) and post them as soon as possible. Orders are posted in bulk and you will be provided a tracking number so you know when to expect it.

Then all you have to do is find your items, their perfect spots so you can enjoy the reminder of your special day.

I love seeing photos of your items in your home so don’t forget to send me some :)

Thank you for supporting my small business :)

Please be aware that currently I run all aspects of the business myself with no help. I am Petals Preserved administrator, stock and supply coordinator, customer services, bookkeeper, marketing and social media manager and most importantly a wife and mum to 2 small people. As a small business (just little old me) it can be tricky to juggle. I will try to keep you updated in the process as much as I can but if I’m not able get back to you straight away, please understand. I am hoping that in the future I will be able to hire someone to help but I’m just not at that stage yet.

Amongst all the above steps please remember that I am a small business. I am not a big corporation; I am human and I make mistakes like everyone else. :)