Since a lot of you are new here, I thought it would be a good time to share a little bit about me ✨ I’m Ciara, the owner and artist behind Pressed with Pride. I’m 27, queer, and currently living in good ol’ Philly. I’ve been a creative person who’s passionate about bringing kind souls together for as long as I can remember.. but for a while my career was geared toward survival rather than my passions. Moving out at a young age, I approached career opportunities largely around financial need, rather than my dreams. Since moving to Philly two years ago, I have been so immensely blessed by the connections I have made and the safety I have been able to cultivate for myself as a result. I feel so thankful to have so many incredible people around me that have empowered me in the pursuit of my passions. So, when I unexpectedly lost my job in May, I decided that I wanted to lean into my creative side more (not to mention that being neurodivergent was making a 9-5 corporate setting less and less sustainable). I took a leap of faith and Pressed with Pride was born! Ironically, I began pressing flowers when preserving a bouquet from one of my dearest friends.. which was a gift when I got that very job. A full circle moment. I’m not usually too sure what to write in bios, but when I think about what I want to leave people with, what my passions are, and my defining characteristics, it really comes down to wanting to make people feel safe and seen. Wanting to share my kindness and my heart with the world. Wanting to share my art with people celebrating themselves and celebrating life’s beautiful moments. And to hopefully inspire a few people to pursue their passions along the way. Thank you all for being here on this journey with me. Thank you to the community around me, my supportive partner, all of my friends who have made this possible (especially @unconventional_palette and those who have helped me vend) to anyone who has bought a piece, shared a post, given a like, sent me positive energy, stopped by my booth, or believed in my vision. 🌈 ALSO! Check out the photographer behind this photo, they’re one of those special people I mentioned: @tomas.provencher 😌