How to Crystallize Thistle Heads

Everything looks beautiful after a hard freezing rain. Bring that beauty indoors by making crystallized thistle heads.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Thistle Heads
• Clear silicone caulk
• Paper plate or pie plate
• Plastic "lunch lady" gloves
• Wooden spring style clothes-pins
• 4 cups of Epsom salts
• 2 cups boiling water
• Several thistle heads
• Butcher's string
• Clothesline
• Flat clothes-pins

Silicone Coating Method

1. Non-latex gloves keep hands clean... Know that silicone begins to harden immediately, so you will have to work quickly. Wearing non-latex plastic gloves, squeeze silicone gel onto a paper plate or pie plate.
2. Roll thistle head in silicone, working quickly, using your fingers to spread silicone over the entire thistle head. Swing thistle head gently back and forth to help gel harden.
3. Use a clothespin to hang thistle heads upside down until the gel dries.

Epsom Salts Method

4. There are many uses for Epsom salts... Heat 2 cups water to a rolling boil. Stir in 4 cups Epsom Salts until dissolved. Remove from heat.
5. Thistle heads make beautiful indoor decorations. Place thistles head down in pan of hot Epsom salt water. Soak until water has cooled.
6. Pin it up! Gather several thistle stems together, tie with butcher's string. Hang from clothesline stretched near ceiling using wooden spring clothes pins.
7. When dry, thistle heads should appear to be dusted with ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear non-latex gloves to keep hands from getting sticky with silicone gel.
• Use silicone gel only in a well-ventilated area.
• Do not use Epsom Salt internally, this product is intended for external use only.
• Do not use in case of skin infection or external wounds.
• Consult with a doctor before using if you have any medical conditions, are on medication, or are pregnant.