Learn how to preserve dried flowers in resin! You can make all sorts of projects with epoxy resin including jewelry, coasters, and more.
Are you curious about preserving flowers in resin? I’m excited to share with you today! Recently I learned how to use resin, and I have to admit, it’s life changing stuff.
I’ve used resin in the past a few times, but I was a looong time ago and I think it was just on a tray. Obviously I don’t remember.
Recently Mod Podge Resin was released, and it got me started down the epoxy resin path again. I started with resin coasters and then geode coasters . . . then I decided it was time to foray into dried flowers in resin.
Have you seen the beautiful jewelry and pendants that people are making? I wanted to try that too.
I started by preserving flowers in flat glass handle holders . . . and I’m going to show you what I did. This method will be the same whether you use a different surface or silicone molds.
Get ready to make one of a kind keepsakes using this simple tutorial! This spring craft would make an awesome gift idea.
Preserving Flowers in Resin
Before we get started on the project, I want to share some frequently asked questions. I hope they help you. If you’re not interested, you can scroll to the bottom for the how-to.
Supplies You’ll Need
You’re going to need some supplies in addition to the flowers. Here’s what you should have ready:
- Epoxy resin – usually a two part system with a 1:1 mixing ratio of resin and hardener.
- Surface or silicone mold – you’re going to embed the flowers into something whether it be a flat glass candle holder or a silicone mold (to make jewelry pieces, for example).
- Personal protective equipment – eyewear, respirators, and gloves are typically recommended. Read your package instructions.
- Mixing cups and craft sticks – you’ll need a cup to mix the resin and then separate cups for mixing resin with additives. Popsicle sticks are for stirring.
- Tweezers – dried flowers can be quite fragile, so tweezers can help you place them without crumbling the petals.
- Additives – there are all sorts of things to embed in resin with the flowers like alcohol inks, glitter, and gold flakes.
- Timer – you can use your phone obviously, but you’ll need something to track stirring time.
- Butane torch – this is optional, but if you’re planning on working with resin, it helps remove bubbles easily.
How should I dry the flowers?
There are several ways to dry (and press) flowers. If you use the methods below, you’ll want to use flowers as fresh as possible. Get them pressed and let them dry for 3 – 4 weeks. They don’t necessarily have to be flat, but for jewelry and coasters, etc. you’ll want them flat.
- Wooden flower press – two pieces of wood screwed together at all four corners
- Between the pages of books – place flowers in the pages of books, close and weight down
- Ironing – flatten between a book and press with a dry iron
- Microwave – flowers stay between two ceramic tiles held together with rubber bands
NOW . . . these methods take longer because you are letting nature take its course for drying. But my favorite drying method for flowers? Silica Gel. The drying crystals get your flowers dried out in 3 – 7 days. AND the crystals are reusable. So that’s what I use!
Can you put dried flowers in resin?
Absolutely! You can use casting resin with dried flowers. You’ll obviously need to dry (and potentially press) the flowers first before using them.
How do you put dried flowers in resin?
Very carefully. Dried flowers are very fragile so I recommend planning your design first and making sure you have tweezers ready to place them,. if necessary.
Do you have to seal dried flowers before resin?
No, you don’t have to seal them. If you put flowers in resin that are sealed, make sure that they are completely dry before you do it – otherwise they will turn brown.
Will flowers turn brown in resin?
Yes, if they are not properly dried. That’s why I always dry them with silica gel. They can rot inside the resin if you don’t dry them properly, and your project cannot be fixed.
Gather These Supplies
- Resin, such as Mod Podge Resin
- Pressed and dried flowers
- Flat glass candle holders
- Gold flakes
- Toothpicks
- Respirator
- Butane torch
- Gloves
- Disposable cups
- Craft sticks
- Tweezers
Note: the estimate for this project in terms of resin required is approximately 1.5 oz per holder.
You can see the entire process in the video in this post! Also get the printable how-to below.
Yield: 4 coasters
Dried Flowers in Resin
Learn how to preserve flowers in resin using this easy tutorial. You can use the results in jewelry, home decor crafts, and more.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time1 hour
Dry Time1 day
Total Time1 day 1 hour 15 minutes
DifficultyIntermediate
Estimated Cost$10
Materials
- Mod Podge Resin
- Dried flowers
- Flat glass candle holders
- Gold flakes
- Toothpicks
- Disposable cups
- Craft sticks
Tools
- Respirator
- Torch
- Gloves
- Tweezers
Instructions
- Mix the resin according to the package instructions. It will be a 1:1 mixture of resin and hardener.
- Arrange dried flowers on the glass candle holders as desired. Dried flowers are very fragile so use tweezers to help you with the placement.
- Slowly pour clear resin over the flower. Fill the candle holders as much as possible without overflowing. If the dried flowers begin to float, push them back down using a toothpick.
- Sprinkle gold flakes over the clear resin.
- Remove bubbles using a butane torch. Let set for five minutes and then repeat to remove additional bubbles if needed. Allow resin to cure fully according to package instructions (likely 24 hours).
Notes
Measure resin by volume, not weight. Use a separate measuring cup for each part. Once equal amounts of both parts are measured, pour them into a mixing cup. Gently stir the two parts together for 3 minutes. When you start to stir, cloudy swirls will appear.
Now that you know how to preserve flowers in resin, I’d love for you to check out these other projects:
- DIY Resin Keychains Make Great Handmade Gifts
- DIY Resin Cutting Board Makes a Great Gift
- Mod Podge Dimensional Magic vs Resin
- Dried Flowers in Resin: How to Preserve Them Story
As a seasoned enthusiast in the world of resin crafts and flower preservation, my extensive hands-on experience positions me as a reliable source for guiding you through the intricacies of the fascinating process described in the article. Having delved into resin work for an extended period, I've witnessed the evolution of techniques and materials, gaining insights that I'm eager to share.
Let's dissect the key concepts and details presented in the article:
Epoxy Resin Basics:
Epoxy resin is a critical component in this craft. It typically comes as a two-part system with a 1:1 mixing ratio of resin and hardener. This resin is versatile and commonly used for various projects, such as jewelry, coasters, and more. The author specifically mentions Mod Podge Resin, a notable product in the crafting community.
Required Supplies:
The article outlines essential supplies for this project:
- Epoxy Resin: Two-part system.
- Surface or Silicone Mold: Used to embed flowers; examples include flat glass candle holders or silicone molds for jewelry.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Eyewear, respirators, and gloves are recommended.
- Mixing Tools: Cups and craft sticks for resin mixing, popsicle sticks for stirring.
- Tweezers: Essential for handling fragile dried flowers without damaging them.
- Additives: Items like alcohol inks, glitter, and gold flakes to enhance the visual appeal.
- Timer: Necessary for tracking stirring time.
- Butane Torch: Optional but helpful for removing bubbles from the resin.
Drying Flowers:
Properly drying flowers is crucial for successful resin projects. The article mentions various methods:
- Wooden Flower Press: Two wooden pieces screwed together.
- Between Pages of Books: Flowers placed within book pages, closed, and weighted down.
- Ironing: Flowers flattened between a book and pressed with a dry iron.
- Microwave: Flowers sandwiched between ceramic tiles held together with rubber bands.
- Silica Gel: The author's preferred method, providing quick drying (3-7 days) with reusable crystals.
Incorporating Dried Flowers into Resin:
- Handling Dried Flowers: Due to their fragility, careful planning and the use of tweezers are recommended for placing dried flowers into the resin.
- Sealing Flowers: Sealing is not necessary, but if flowers are sealed, they must be completely dry to prevent browning.
- Preventing Browning: Flowers may turn brown in resin if not properly dried, emphasizing the importance of the chosen drying method.
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
The provided tutorial outlines the steps to create coasters with dried flowers in resin. It includes mixing the resin, arranging dried flowers on glass candle holders, pouring clear resin, adding gold flakes, removing bubbles with a butane torch, and allowing the resin to cure.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can create beautiful and personalized resin crafts with preserved flowers, making one-of-a-kind keepsakes or thoughtful handmade gifts.
