How to Make a Rose Bead Necklace

While roses are in season, grab some off those precious petals as they drop and save them for this old-fashioned craft. Girls often made these for party favors 50 or more years ago but today, girls of all ages will enjoy reviving this craft and making themselves rose bead necklaces. They will end up with a great scented conversation piece as well as an attractive piece of jewelry.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 3 cups of rose petals
• 1 cup of flour
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Water
• A bowl
• Paring knife
• Cutting board
• Jewelry wire
• A necklace clasp
• Straight pins
• A dozen pea-size beads in your choice of color

1. Collect rose petals. If you need to do this over a period of time, store the petals in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator until you are ready to start the project.
2. Cut the petals into tiny pieces, about the size of thumbtacks.
3. Make some dough from one cup of flour mixed in a bowl with enough water added to make it firm but pliable. Add a few drops of red food coloring if desired.
4. Turn the dough out onto a cutting board and knead it well. Add the rose petals to the dough and knead once again.
5. Shape the rose petal dough into balls the size of small grapes. Be careful not to make them too large.
6. Use a pin to scratch the surface of the rose petal balls so they are marked to actually have the appearance of roses.
7. Pierce the balls with a straight pin so that you now have rose petal beads. Let the beads dry thoroughly before removing the pin.
8. Use the jewelry wire to string the beads, alternating with small beads. Attach the clasp.

Tips & Warnings

• You might want to buy earring backs and attach rose beads to these as well.