This cover of this book does not do it justice. Seems like it could be an alternative method to pressed flowers. Wonderful tutorials and showed the process well.

I love drying flowers and so when I saw a book about casting them, I had to give it a read. It's such an interesting art form and the pictures were fantastic. I'm a visual learner so I appreciated the photos not only for their beauty but as examples. I was a little overwhelmed while reading but I also consumed the whole book in a few days. I think it would be better to take your time and really let each section of information sink in. Overall, a great resource for any one who loves art and flowers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Casting Flowers by so-so-talented Rachel Dein
Okay, I have to admit it: I’m absolutely hopeless with my hands. If there’s a way to mess up a DIY project, trust me, I’ll find it. And yet, with Casting Flowers by Rachel Dein, I somehow found myself playing around with plaster, leaves, and petals—and actually having fun! That alone says a lot about how well this book guides you through the process. It’s practical, clear, and filled with precise, easy-to-follow instructions. Like other Timber Press books, it’s packed with stunning photos and walks you through each step with a kind of calm, reassuring presence—exactly what you need when working with materials that feel intimidating at first. But what truly sets this book apart for me is its section on casting flowers in different seasons. It gives the sense that this isn’t just a one-and-done project, but a creative practice you can revisit again and again, following the rhythm of nature. And I love that idea—the book isn’t meant to sit on a shelf gathering dust after one enthusiastic weekend. It’s the kind of book that belongs somewhere close, always within reach. Maybe on your nightstand, where it tempts you to dream up your next project before falling asleep. Or better yet, right on your worktable, where it naturally becomes part of your creative space, waiting for those quiet moments when you’re inspired to press, cast, and create. Because outside, the world keeps changing—the light shifts, the flowers bloom and fade, the seasons roll on. And with this book, you get to capture a little piece of that, time and time again.

🔥 Recommended: If you love flowers and hands-on creative projects, this book is an absolute gem.

Thanks a lot to Net Galley, Rachel Dein, and Timber Press for the ARC! All opinions are my personal own.

A really detailed and well written book on making botanical plaster arrangements. I had some knowledge of the craft going into this, and I found the techniques and tips included really helpful . While I think that some areas of the book felt too wordy at parts and could've been trimmed down slightly, the passion that the author has for the craft really shines through in her words.

The instructions are both written out and given in step by step pictures, which makes them easy to follow along with. The written instructions themselves were detailed. I think my favourite parts were reading the personal anecdotes sprinkled in at the start of the sections. Hearing the authors thoughts behind certain layouts and why she chose specific plants through these introductions was really helpful

I think that this is a wonderful reference for people with some prior knowledge of the craft, but may be too intimidating a read for a complete beginner.

I've studied bas relief as an art history student, but it never occurred to me that it was something one might do as a modern art. This book was so refreshing in it's uniqueness, and I would love to try this after seeing what's possible

I'm a beginning herbalist and I found this book to be right up my alley. It was a very colorful book, with excellent instructions for completing castings. I totally believe that I can get out there and start casting my different herbs. Lots of pictures, colorful, easy to read directions...just what we need in a craft book.

This is such a well-written and well-photographed craft book. The author has done a great job at making a craft that looks like it could be overwhelming simple. Thank you!

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I don't think I've ever come across a book about doing bas-relief before. The art looks really pretty. There seem to be a lot of ways to play with this technique, not only with different flowers, but with different methods to color the pieces. I suppose children could do the fun part of arranging and pressing the flowers in, but the rest seems pretty involved, and I think kids would just make a mess of it. It looks like it would be fun to try, but it does take a good number of materials (especially if you're making your own frame) and space to do all the work.

Not only is this book informative, it is beautiful.

I am always looking for new and unique hobbies to learn. And I never knw that casting flowers would be a hobby I would want to learn.

With step by step instructions, photos to help guide a beginner, this book is a must for any and all who are interested in this amazing hobby.

#NetGalley #CastingFlowers

Casting Flowers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Botanical Art by Rachel Dein is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in botanical art. As a potter who creates bas-relief embossing plates, I was particularly impressed by the author’s meticulous attention to detail in her clear, step-by-step instructions. The tips on removing plaster casts from frames and preparing them for hanging were especially helpful, offering practical insights that will make the process easier and more enjoyable. (I received an advance ready copy and all opinions are my own.) A beautifully crafted guide that combines technique and artistry with great precision!

What a fascinating and unique art form! I look forward to eventually trying the techniques described very clearly in this book. The ideas on seasonal flowers and plants to use was very helpful also.