Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bieznieks.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In the fall of 2021, we had an incredible amount of pinecones fall from our 100 year old trees. I had a random thought, what can I make with all these pinecones? I started searching the internet and found one picture of a flower made from a pinecone. My husband Ron, gave me a few hand pruners and cutter . Then I had to come up with a way to clean those cones. Turns out vinegar fixes everything! I was amazed how a dirty pinecone could turn into something so beautiful. My goal at that time was to make an arrangement for my dining room table with the flowers. As some months had gone by , I decided to try a local farmers market and see what the response would be with the pinecone flowers. People were amazed! The positive feedback was enough to keep moving forward with the flowers and keep improving on what we started. We went from a using bamboo stick for the stem to now using a flexible green wire which looks more natural and enables the customer to cut and bend them to their desire. Also, we incorporate natural mediums, such as, driftwood, grapevine, pallet wood, birch, & dried flowers, . with the pinecone flowers to keep with the natural flow of creating. Here we are now, almost 2026, and I have been so fortunate in the past 5 years to been invited on Fox 8 Good Morning Cleveland , and juried into countless Art Shows in the State of Ohio.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One year into the start of making the pinecone flowers, I suddenly lost 80% of my vision in my right eye permanently overnight. It was a stroke in the optic nerve. I have now adjusted to the loss , and do the best I can. My husband Ron, helps me with the hardware and wood working part of the business. At shows, he will always be there as a constant support.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I went to University of Cincinnati and received a BS in Criminal Justice. I moved back to Cleveland after graduating in 1989. I briefly was a dispatcher at a police station. I also worked for 10 years as a Commercial Insurance Representative licensed with the State of Ohio. Somehow after all those years working at a desk, I knew it wasn’t for me. I was lucky enough to spend the last 20 years taking care of my daughter Rachel. I would say over these years at home, finally finding my niche, I can be known for the art of decorating and eye for beauty in making most anything look great.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those just starting out, believe in yourself and the art or craft you are creating. There might be some in this business that won’t accept you or your work, but do not let them define or discourage you. Most times than not , they have an agenda or just jealousy. I found this out the hard way in the beginning. One person can be such a negative in something you are so passionate about. Don’t let anyone take your joy. I have come so far in something that was just a whim seeing the beauty in nature.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: the flowered pinecone
- Facebook: the flowered pinecone
