Inspired by Pacific Seaweeds

You will need:

Blotting or herbarium paper or watercolor paper

Clean cloths with satiny finish, or disposable

polyester dishcloths/rags

At least 2 pieces of cardboard

Newspaper to layer

A plant/flower press or weighted set up (heavy books) for pressing

Seaweed Pressing Process:

Plants are arranged on herbarium paper or watercolor paper into desired design.

Tips for arranging:

You can float paper and seaweeds in water to aid in arranging the seaweeds. This method is helpful for setting more delicate, filamentous seaweeds; however, lifting paper out of water with seaweeds in place is tricky and needs to be done with care.

Float in a thin layer of water. Can use a syringe to move water through seaweeds and aid in arrangement. Peel paper out and allow excess water to drip off.

Seawater is best to use to preserve integrity of seaweeds.

Partially drying seaweeds and then blotting with water as you are setting can be helpful for arranging.

Presoaking seaweeds covered in 1 part vegetable glycerin, 1 part water will soften them and may aid in pressing or other artistic uses of seaweeds. (Weight to submberge for 48 hours.)

Skewers, paintbrushes, tweezers, and pencils can be used to manipulate and place seaweeds.

You can use a template to shape, like a cut-out inverse circle to make a wreath-shape within.

For seaweeds with more moisture or denser tissues, squeeze excess liquid out of bladders, or cut a cross section (as in bullkelp whip), before setting.

Cover your design with a clean cloth (silky texture or disposable polyester dishcloths/rags work best for not sticking to seaweed and can be re-used).

3-4 cloths above and below pressing, plus newspaper, are recommended for absorbing moisture.

Sandwich cloths and paper with seaweeds between layers of newspaper (to absorb moisture).

Sandwich newspaper layers between corrugated cardboard (creates flat surface for pressing and allows airflow)

Compress in a plant/flower press or by laying on a flat surface with a weight placed evenly on top (heavy books).

Take care to press flat and evenly.

Carefully check pressing (without disturbing artwork—do not fully open) after 24 hours for moisture. Replace any excessively damp layers to avoid mold.

Let set at least one week (until plants are dry). Check periodically to avoid mold and change out newspaper and cloth layers as needed.

When dry, carefully remove layers to reveal your design.

Preserve your art away from moisture and UV light.

Laminate or frame in museum grade glass; spray with UV protective sprays and/or hang in a dark area.

If needed, seaweeds can be affixed to paper with Elmer’s glue.

For more information, check out these videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y75dmbiGfHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J3zQsYdUek