Tips on preserving leaves and flowers either by pressing or adding into candles and soaps.
Preserving flowers and leaves is a fun, interesting project, and they serve as great gifts for those you love. To begin preserving, you'll need to have freshly picked flowers and leaves. I'll take you through step-by-step on two different ways to preserve, and how to turn preservation into a thoughtful gift.
Drying & Pressing Flowers:
Many flowers and leaves can be dried by simply allowing them to hang upside down or by flattening them between a book. To dry flowers by hanging, tie flower stems together with a rubber band, wire, or ribbon. Hang on a hook upside down in a ventilated area and leave for 7-10 days, or until completely dried.
To press flowers or leaves, place objects between waxed paper, making sure that all petals are evened out. Place a heavy object on top of waxed paper and leave for 7-10 days, or until items are completely dried.
Preserving Long Stemmed Flowers With Sand:
You'll need to wrap the stem of your flower with floral tape first. Next fill a container with sand and place your flower inside. Cover the petals with sand and let dry for 5-10 days, or until completely dry, in a warm, dry area. Arrange long stemmed flowers together to make a long lasting bouquet. Dry greenery like fern, ivy, baby's breath, or statice to use as filler. You can dry these by placing in sand, or by hanging upside down.
Preserving Flowers With Glycerine:
Buy liquid glycerine made especially for preserving flowers and foliage at your local craft store. You'll need to cut flowers that are in full bloom. New blooms will not do well in the glycerin mixture. Clean petals of all dirt and remove wilted, broken petals. With a pair of scissors, crush the flower stem about 2 inches from the bottom of the stem.
Heat the liquid glycerine to 140 degrees F in your microwave,(Follow directions on liquid glycerine package), leaving glycerine in its original container, or as directed on package. Insert the stems into the glycerine and leave for up to 3 weeks. When petals are pliable, remove from the glycerine. If you have small flowers with very little stems, place them in a small container of the glycerine and leave until pliable.
Making Glycerine Soap:
Purchase glycerine soap at your local craft store. After drying leaves or flowers, place in small molds. Cut off desired amounts of glycerine and place in heavy duty plastic bags. Place bags in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Carefully remove bags and pour into soap molds over flowers. If you want to have a layered look, put leaves on bottom of mold, in the middle, and then on the very top. Leave soap in molds until completely cool and hardened.
Making Candles:
The easiest way to add preserved flowers or leaves to a candle is to simply add them to the outside of the candle. If you want to have them inside, you'll need to refer to use of paraffin wax and making homemade candles. Choose a candle to work with. You'll probably need to use a light colored candle to see your flowers or leaves. Have your pressed flowers or leaves laid out and ready to be added to the candle. Cut of a piece of clear paraffin wax and place in the top of a double boiler. Set the heat on high and stir frequently. Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature until wax reaches 180 degrees F. Remove from heat. Dip a paintbrush in wax and apply to candle where you want your flower to go. Press the flower onto the wax and then put a thin layer of hot wax over the flower. Repeat until all flowers are applied. Using a pair of tongs or pliers to hold onto candle, dip your candle into the hot wax to give candle a finished look.
