Frequently Asked Questions

Flower pressing

What comes in a Berstuk flower press?

Two sustainably sourced wooden boards, solid metal hardware (bolts, washers and wing nuts), thick cardboard layers, acid-free blotting paper, a clear printed manual, and a free digital copy of The Pressed Flower Companion by Sarah Bexley. Everything you need is in the box.

How long does it take to press flowers?

Most flowers take two to four weeks. Thin, single-petalled blooms and foliage can be ready in a few days; thick flowers like roses and peonies need the full three to four weeks. The one rule that matters: opening the press early is how good flowers get ruined.

How do I store my pressed flowers?

Keep them flat, in an airtight container or between sheets of paper in a book, away from direct sunlight and damp. If a thicker flower still feels cool or slightly soft, add a silica gel sachet to the container for a week before you frame it.

Which press should I choose?

Poppy is handbag-sized for walks and travel. Lilabelle is extra large for whole bouquets and big blooms like roses and hydrangeas. Tilly & Tansy are pocket twins, lovely for tiny flowers and for gifting. If you are pressing a wedding or memorial bouquet, choose Lilabelle.

Do I need any experience?

None. Every press comes with a printed manual, a free e-book, and free step-by-step video lessons you reach by scanning the card in your box.

Which flowers press best?

Flat, thin-petalled flowers are the easiest: pansies, violets, cosmos, daisies, ferns and most leaves. Thick flowers work too if you separate the petals first and press them individually, then rebuild the flower when you mount it.

Crochet kits

I have never crocheted in my life. Can I really do this?

Yes, and you are exactly who we make kits for. The Mug Rug Crochet Kit assumes nothing: Lauren from WillowCrochet guides you from your very first stitch on video, one step at a time, and you tick off each step as you go. By the last stitch you will have two mug rugs you actually made.

I am left-handed. Will I struggle?

No. Every crochet lesson is filmed twice, once for right-handed makers and once for left-handed makers. Pick your hand once and every video plays the right way for you.

What comes in a crochet kit?

Everything: yarn, hook, stitch markers, needles, any buttons or extras the project needs, a printed pattern manual, and free access to the video course. You will not need to buy anything else.

Which crochet kit should I start with?

Start with the Mug Rug Kit if you have never held a hook. Move to the Stitch Sculptor to learn new skills across three projects. Benny the Bunny and the capybara kits are happiest as your second or third project.

How do the video lessons work?

Inside your box is a card with a QR code. Scan it and the course opens in your browser, no app and no account needed. Your progress saves on your device, so you can put the kit down for a week and pick up where you left off.

Ordering and delivery

How much is shipping?

Standard shipping is free on orders over $30. Orders are packed within 2 business days and usually arrive within 5 to 7 days, with a tracking link emailed to you.

Is there something new coming?

Always. Join the Berstuk VIP Club and you will hear about it before anyone else.