Twenty years ago, Catherine Romero and Heidi Hallman met on the floor of O’Neal Library during kids’ movie time, their toddlers crawling around them and two more in car seat buckets nearby. As their kids went through school together, Catherine and Heidi’s paths continued to cross. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that they really reconnected, working at a local staging and design company. Both in a season of creative wanderlust, Catherine asked Heidi to join her in taking a plunge into the world of resin floral preservation. Heidi Cat was born — the moniker as clever as its products.
Catherine (left) and Heidi (right) take live florals from life’s most significant moments and create beautiful, functional pieces that last a lifetime.
Heidi Cat captures your flowers in a classic or unexpected resin shape. You must pick a “Main Piece” from the nine available larger shapes and products (like this square above, a serving tray, a set of bookends, etc.). Only after purchasing a “Main Piece” can you pick smaller add-on items like coasters, tea lights, bottle openers, etc.
Tell us a little about your background — where did you grow up? Were you always creative?
Catherine: I grew up in Birmingham. My background is primarily in marketing. (Fun fact: I was the OG Birmingham Editor of StyleBlueprint!) That experience appealed to my creative interest in writing, photography, website design, and social media, and it allowed me to meet many creatives. I am a perpetual DIYer, always dabbling in floral endeavors and various art mediums — from painting to sculpture — dating back to my early 20s when I took many classes at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, DC. I have always had a love for beautiful decor, antiques, weddings, and art.
Heidi: I grew up in the small town of Sikeston, MO, then attended the University of Alabama. My degree was in Advertising and Marketing. After college, I went to work for an advertising agency, where I worked for 23 years until retiring to have children. I had a side business called Two Magnolias, decorating mailboxes, businesses, and homes for Christmas. I have always loved decorating, art and flowers. Being in the South, this just seemed natural.
How did you come up with this idea?
Catherine: The idea for Heidi Cat came about haphazardly. We discussed various ideas centered around art, home decor, and possibly antiques. We both love to visit places like Scott Antique Market in Atlanta and value timeless traditions. While Googling another resin application, I found a resin jewelry artist using dried flowers in her creations. That gave me the idea of using flowers in resin that could be displayed as a functional piece of art and passed down for generations. Focusing on wedding florals was a natural segue due to the inherent sentimentality. When I shared the idea with Heidi, she was immediately on board!
From bookends to coasters, Heidi Cat creates all sorts of resin pieces.
Heidi: It was God’s timing because we both were at a point in life where we wanted a creative outlet and were looking for ways to express it. This seemed like a perfect fit: creating modern pieces of art out of flowers from a special occasion. In the South, floral arrangements are usually the center of all events. And do we ever have beautiful flowers!? But flowers only last for a fleeting moment in time. This idea of modern floral preservation is the perfect way to capture that special memory.
What’s a common misconception (or two) that people have about floral preservation?
Catherine: That it’s easy! Heidi and I often joke that you need a chemistry degree to pull this off. Precise temperatures of the room, the mixing agents, and the forms are needed for the piece to cure properly. We use lots of tools like an infrared temperature gun, a space heater, a hairdryer, and even a reptile mat!
Bubbles forming in the piece are also an issue. Even with vigilant bubble-popping techniques using various instruments such as a heat gun and blow torch, bubbles can still arise hours later and ruin a piece, so we’ve invested in devices like pressure pots and degassing chambers to eliminate problems and ensure that we deliver the highest quality products. We have heard too many accounts of brides attempting to preserve their own flowers only to ruin their bouquets.
One thing Heidi hears is I can get it much cheaper on Etsy. She says, “While many hobbyists do this on the side, we have had many brides tell us they sent theirs to someone on Etsy and were very disappointed in their end product.”
Here’s a pair of bookends in the making. Image: Heidi Cat via Facebook
Do you have a specific story about a project that really stuck with you?
Heidi: We had a mother of the bride call us about preserving a flower collar that their family dog wore in her daughter’s wedding in North Carolina. The precious dog had three legs and had battled cancer for years. This sweet pup was pulled down the aisle in a wagon during the ceremony. The MOB surprised her daughter with the preserved collar as a Christmas gift. Author’s Note: This was also Catherine’s favorite story.
Heidi’s dear friend and neighbor of 16 years had the most beautiful blue hydrangea bush in her yard. “Her realtor asked if I would preserve something from her yard as a gift for her to give when she moved into her new home. My neighbor held Bible Study at her home every Monday for years. So we created a Cross made of Blue Hydrangeas from her yard,” Heidi recalls.
Any tips for people planning events with florals they hope to preserve?
Catherine: If you plan to preserve your flowers, choose the ones that work best. Whether you are team white or team color, knowing how certain flowers will dry may influence which ones you choose to use. Many white flowers will dry more beige or even yellow, and red roses will often dry a much darker maroon color. Succulents do not work due to their high water content. We are always happy to consult with any bride and offer our input.
Heidi: Book your preservation appointment when you choose your florist. Don’t use your bouquet in the flower toss, as it will bruise the flowers. If you want your piece to be representative of the entire wedding, send us your bouquet, a bridesmaid’s bouquet, and some wedding flowers. Consider preserving your husband’s or father’s boutonniere.
Flowers-turned-bar cart essentials? We’re in!
What are some of your creations that can be given as a gift?
Heidi: We have had mothers of the bride and mothers of the groom give pieces to inlaws, the bride and groom, grandparents, or even the entire wedding party as gifts. The wedding party has given a collection to the couple as a wedding gift. [Our] main pieces [which Heidi Cat requires you to buy to purchase smaller add-on items], Christmas ornaments, and bottle stoppers are very popular gifts. We have done a number of memorials, as well as crosses for baby presents with flowers from the baby shower.
Any plans to sell non-personalized pieces for those who just love your work?
Catherine: We often make sample pieces from leftover bridal flowers. I don’t see a retail shop in Heidi Cat’s future, but we may sell some of these at some point through our website. We participate in several holiday pop-ups, primarily selling ornaments and coaster sets. We always welcome commissioned pieces, as well.
Get in touch with this design duo about preserving your next flower-focused event! Spots book up quickly. Image: Heidi Cat via Facebook
Explore more of Heidi and Catherine’s work at HeidiCat.com. All images submitted by Heidi Cat unless otherwise noted.
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