MAQS Meadow Creations is a new small business in Remsen. Samantha Petschauer makes pressed flower jewelry and house décor with locally sourced wild flowers and nature encased in epoxy resin.
Her products include necklaces, rings, earrings, coasters, wall décor, mirrors, and serving trays. She hand-picks the colorful wildflowers that will become her signature jewelry and house décor.
“I look to nature for inspiration,” Petschauer said. “Most of the flowers are from our homestead on Commons Road in Remsen but have collected flowers on the side of some back roads when the opportunity presents; but again, all local areas.”
Each wildflower piece is crafted using a meticulous process.
“I press the flowers for about two weeks until they are fully dry (or the epoxy will cause a chemical reaction and leech the flower of its color) and then cover them in epoxy resin,” Petschauer said. “The epoxy can be very tricky and finicky to work with. Air bubbles are ridiculously frustrating, and I still make mistakes more than I would like but have a great time doing it regardless.”
She began learning how to work with epoxy this past winter.
“Suddenly I found a new passion,” Petschauer said. “I love using mother nature to preserve her beauty in a permanent way so anyone can connect with the environment.”
MAQS Meadow Creations products are available at the Remsen Farmers Market, The Copper Easel in Rome, and Alabaster and Ash Mercantile in Remsen, and online on Etsy.
“Local helping local,” she said. “I could not be more excited for these new ventures.”
The MAQS part of the name MAQS Meadow Creations is an acronym of all of the family members’ names. Mathew, her husband; Andrew and Quin, her sons; and then her name, Samantha.
Naming the homestead (and thus her business) was an evolving process.
“When we bought our house in 2018 Matt instantly knew he would start a garden,” she said. “Everyone was amazed how serious he took his garden. By mid-late summer last year, Matt knew he would expand and wanted to be able to do a market garden. The moment last year’s season ended he began planning for this year, and that included naming our homestead. We decided we didn’t want to do our last name as our farm name. After tossing around a few ideas, MAQS just fit. After all, he was the green thumb and MAQS sounded close to Matt but also honored our family and included our boys. That was important. Andrew (5) has helped Matt from the beginning. But this year Quin (2) really jumped into gardening. He loves being out in the garden with daddy and helping. He eats hundreds of tomatoes each summer. It is definitely his favorite food.”
Petschaur grew up in Poland. She left the area to attend college in Plattsburgh. It was there she met her husband, Matthew.
“We stayed in Plattsburgh for a few years post grad and moved back to the area with the birth of our first son to be closer to family,” she said. “We bought our first house in Rome. It was great for a few years but as our family expanded by two dogs and another son, we decided we wanted a smaller school district and more space for the boys and dogs to run wild. I will never forget the day our house came on the market. I literally started crying because I told Matt that this would be our home. He laughed and said ‘you can’t know that.”
They looked at the house in Remsen the next day.
“The moment we hit the driveway he looked at me and said ‘You’re right, this is home,” Petschaur said. “We love the small, close community and comradery it brings. We are so grateful to be able to have land where the boys can run and learn about their environment. It’s so easy to get caught up in today’s technology and not connect with the outdoors. We want our kids to be able to play outside in the grass.”
The rural environment, and also the broader world in a social context, inspires her jewelry in many ways.
“I am inspired by the whimsical beauty in world, particularly when there is so much anger and hatred lately,” she said. “My goal is bring joy to others through my jewelry and art. I hope people can connect over my work. Strike up conversations and find some common ground. I love working with pressed flowers as you never know how different plants will press and how much color they may or may not lose. Every piece is unique, beautiful and handmade.”
In addition to MAQS Meadow Creations, Petschauer has a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and works full time locally.
“I love being able to give back to our communities and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves,” she said. “I make sure to not allow my business to affect my job nor my job affect my business. Both are equally important. Designing and creating new pieces relaxes me and I find great inner peace and joy working with epoxy.”
Starting a business in the midst of a global pandemic has distinctive challenges.
“Today’s world is definitely a unique one,” Petschauer said. “The pandemic has changed our entire world and many would say it’s a huge risk to start a business in the midst of all this, and they would be right! But I also think it’s the perfect time. People need reasons to smile. The phrase “stop and smell the roses” has often come to mind this past year. My hope is that those who wear my jewelry are able to take a step back and connect with mother nature and appreciate the simple beauty in the world as it will always be with them.”
MAQS Meadow Creations also offers custom pieces.
“If someone has a particular flower they would like or an idea for a piece, whether it be jewelry, wall art, plaque, serving tray or another idea,” Petschauer said. “I am excited to continue to grow this business and spread the beauty and joy.”
The Link LonkSeptember 06, 2020 at 08:00PM
https://romesentinel.com/stories/epoxy-artist-creates-unique-pressed-flower-jewelry-in-remsen,103344
Epoxy artist creates unique pressed flower jewelry in Remsen - Rome Sentinel
https://news.google.com/search?q=Flower&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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