These images document the process of working with live button bush flowers before and after they were electro-formed. The image in the upper left corner is the live flower that has been coated with several layers of a thin white glue to seal the flower. The image in the lower left is of the flower that is coated with copper metallic paint applied over the sealed flower, using a small paint brush. This process can't be rushed and takes several hours to coat and dry each element so that they don't stick to one another. The flower is electro-formed in the electrolyte bath for 4-6 hours. Working with live plants is a race against time. As soon as the flower is cut, it starts to die. Once the process begins it must be carried through before the flower completely wilts. The larger image is a detail of a electro-formed button bush flower.