Preserved Flowers – Flowers of memories, to reminisce forever Flowers are memories… they can bring back so much. A bouquet from a special occasion or a special someone – it’s a pity they can’t just stay the way you received them. But we do know a way you can immortalise that memorable moment. You can do so by preserving those very flowers!
Preserved flowers and crafts made with them are not new, they’ve been practiced now for centuries and the craft has been carried down, and we present you some.
The decision of preserving them must begin even before the flowers start withering, because when the flower is in full bloom, you can preserve the beauty in its entirety. There isn’t much you can do with limp flowers. So being conscious of wanting to preserve them would be the first step in getting a great outcome.
Here are a few tips you must keep in mind:
- The craft idea: Don’t allow your preserve flowers to stay in a closet or old books for too long before you turn them into crafts that would only invite bugs in the long run! Think up of what you want to do with them and map the flowers to your favourite craft idea
- Your preserved floral crafts need a home and so don’t forget to make space for it at your favourite corner! When you decide where you want to place them, you can also plan on accurate measurements for your craft idea. The aesthetics of the setting, walls, furniture around must be taken into account when you plan.
- Keep preservation material handy. Heavy old books in absorbent paper books, rubber bands, butter paper, silica gel, coloured threads must be kept handy.
- Keep them away from direct sunlight: Direct sunlight causes the flowers to fade, so pick a place that’s prominent but away from direct sunlight.
Best Ways to Preserve Flowers:
1. Air Drying: Pick the best ventilated area, wrap rubber bands around the bunch of flowers and hand them on hook to dry.
2. Glycerin: Want the fresh look of your flowers to stay? Soak them in glycerine, the water in the flowers get replaced with glycerine giving it a fresh look for you to
preserve forever.
3. Freeze Drying: Professional freeze drying companies can do them for you.
4. Microwave: Cover flowers with an absorbant material, microwave (on moderate heat) till all moisture is taken away.
5. Silica Gel: Place your flowers in between two inches of silica gel on all sides and place them in a container.
6. Epoxy Resin: This would be the toughest option considering the amount of raw material you would need – a mold, one that confirms to your innovative idea and
resin. Fill the mold half way, place the flower in an arrangement that you like and fill the rest of the mold with resin.
7. Pressing: A simple favourite – all you would need is an old book with non-glossy pages. Do place the flowers in absorbent paper before you place them between the
pages. The books got to be heavy enough to press the flowers to perfection.
Craft Ideas for Preserved Flowers
1. Frames: Pressed flowers are the best for frames. Frame your precious florals in a clear frame with statement edges, in wood or wood coloured material. They make for a lovely rustic look on the wall. You could also use a double frame featuring the pressed flowers on one side and an image of the moment captured when you received the flowers first.
2. Lanterns: You can stick the pressed flowers on frames of light butter paper, attach them at the edges and vola – you can light up the room with your favourite memories, quite literally!
3. Jewellery: The resin method works best for this. Get the right resin molds for pendants, bracelets or earrings and wear these eco friendly jewellery pieces that you can flaunt of that special memory.
4. Flower Shadow Boxes: Make a transparent lid to a box of your choice and store he flowers, petals up. They can make great pieces of conversation starters and a unique decoration item for any room!
5. Paper Weights: The resin method works here – use an interesting shape of mould and give yourself a chance to reminisce the memories everyday, even between busy work schedules.
Flowers are to be cherished, and you can cherish them forever in several innovative ways...tell us about your favourite way!
