Bluebell & Ivy Backstory – Crafting Keepsakes from Nature

I'm Michaela, an English gal who spent my teens in Canada and most of my adult life in sunny Queensland, Australia. Now, a new chapter begins as my partner and I moved to my childhood hometown in West Yorkshire, England, in January 2024.

Six years ago, I found myself knee-deep in red Australian dirt, working long days on a farm harvesting sweet potatoes. It was hard work—12-hour days covered in mud—but strangely, some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. Amidst the rugged toil, I fell in love with the Australian flora and fauna. During that time, I spent months pressing the exquisite purple water lilies that bloomed by the farm creek. Oh mannn, the aroma of those flowers was something else. My farmer crafted a flower press for me, and from that moment, I was hooked—pressing flowers and creating with them became my passion.

Thus, Bluebell & Ivy took root during the Covid era, much like many small businesses. At that time, I lost my job, and during lockdown, I delved into crafting pressed flower resin earrings. Friends urged me to sell them, but I was incredibly hesitant. It took a year of trials, errors, and self-doubt before I finally put them online one evening, expecting little to come of it. To my complete surprise, I woke up to all pairs sold—and since then, Bluebell & Ivy has been my labor of love.

After moving back to the UK, my partner and I spent most of 2024 practicing the art of pressed bouquet frames, refining techniques, and perfecting designs. Now, I’m thrilled to offer pressed floral bouquet preservation as a service—carefully preserving wedding flowers, special occasion blooms, and sentimental florals in frames. With a brand-new studio set up in Huddersfield, I can’t wait to create lasting keepsakes for you.

Alongside pressed bouquet frames, I also create custom keepsakes such as earrings, cufflinks, and other floral treasures, perfect for carrying a special memory with you always.

With a tiny garden of my own, I’m excited to fill it with forget-me-nots, daffodils, and every bloom I can get my hands on. On weekends you can often find me at local artisan markets & if you cant find me there, my earrings are stocked in a few local shops around the area.

Thank you all for being part of this journey, supporting me along the way, and allowing me to follow the path my heart loves so dearly. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates! 💐✨

Much love,
Michaela xx