- LanguagePortuguese, English
- Duration3h
- DifficultyBeginner
- Next Date03/05/2026
Mother’s Day flower pressing workshop in Mafra for mothers and their children to spend an afternoon together surrounded by flowers, nature and the quiet satisfaction of making something beautiful by hand. Led by Maria Mântua, a floral preservation specialist who learned to press flowers from her grandmother in childhood and has dedicated herself to this craft since 2023, this relaxed and artistic session takes place on a private quinta in the countryside, a genuinely special setting for a genuinely special day. Children from age 6 are welcome and no prior experience is needed, just a love of flowers and handmade things.
The session opens with a short introduction to the traditional art of flower pressing, a technique with several centuries of history that was even taught to samurai in the 16th century to cultivate patience and calm. Using fresh flowers and a heavy book brought from home, you practice the pressing technique together before moving into the creative phase, where mothers and children work side by side using Maria’s personal stock of pressed flowers and leaves in every colour, shape and size to create a small framed piece, postcards and laminated bookmarks to take home. The afternoon ends with a delicious homemade snack enjoyed in the quiet of the countryside.
What you’ll learn
🌸 The traditional technique of flower pressing and how it works
🌸 How to press fresh flowers using a large heavy book
🌸 How to arrange and compose pressed flowers into framed artwork, postcards and bookmarks
🌸 How to laminate and finish bookmarks using a laminating machine
🌸 The history and cultural significance of flower pressing as a centuries-old craft
What’s included
🌼 Fresh flowers for practising the pressing technique
🌼 A 15x15cm frame, watercolour paper for postcards and laminated plastic for bookmarks
🌼 Laminating machine, tweezers, glue and scissors
🌼 Maria’s full stock of pressed flowers and leaves in all colours and shapes
🌼 Homemade cakes and fresh healthy drinks at the end of the session
Please bring one or more large heavy books from home for the pressing practice.
What you leave with
Your heavy book filled with freshly pressed flowers to use in future projects, a small framed piece, one or more postcards and one or more laminated bookmarks, all made together as a family and all yours to keep as an unforgettable memory of this Mother’s Day.
I am Maria Mântua, a floral preservation specialist based in Portugal. My journey with pressed flowers began in childhood when my grandmother first taught me to press them and showed me the beauty of preserving something so delicate and ephemeral. I have been dedicated to this craft since 2023, working primarily with bridal bouquet preservation and leading workshops where technique and sensitivity come together. I believe that preserving flowers is preserving stories, essences and irreplaceable moments.
Open to mothers and their children aged 6 and over. Children between 6 and 18 receive a 30% discount. Price is per participant. No prior experience needed.
Location
FAQ
From what age can children participate?
Children aged 6 and over can participate.
Do I need to bring anything?
You need to bring a large, heavy book, ideally one for each participant.
More about your Teacher Maria Mântua
PT
SOBRE MIM
O meu nome é Maria Mântua e sou especialista em
preservação floral, dedicando-me desde 2023 a criar arte
com flores prensadas e preservadas, com especial foco
na preservação de bouquets de noiva.
A minha viagem pelo mundo da preservação de flores
começou ainda na infância. Foi a minha avó quem me
ensinou a prensar flores e a descobrir a beleza de
preservar algo tão delicado e efémero.
Em contexto de workshop, proponho uma abordagem
imersiva à preservação floral, onde técnica e
sensibilidade se encontram, convidando os participantes a
refletir sobre permanência, memória e Natureza.
Acredito que preservar flores é preservar histórias,
essências e momentos irrepetíveis.
ING
ABOUT ME
My name is Maria Mântua and I am floral preservation artist, working since 2023 to create art with pressed and preserved flowers, with the main focus on the preservation of bridal bouquets.
My journey through the world of flower preservation began in childhood. It was my grandmother who taught me how to press flowers and discover the beauty of preserving something so delicate and ephemeral.
In a workshop context, I propose an immersive approach to floral preservation, where technique and sensitivity meet, inviting participants to reflect on permanence, memory, and Nature.
I believe that preserving flowers is preserving stories, essences, and unrepeatable moments.
uk english 
pt portuguese