How to Make Rose Beads
From junk to jewels, transforming old rose petals into rose petal beads is a great opportunity to reuse what would otherwise end up in the trash. Rose beads have the incredible ability to retain their scent for long periods of time and, due to body heat, release their scent when worn. Beads have been used throughout the ages for prayer, meditation and decoration. The word "rosary" even means "crown of roses" so an even more meaningful use of your rose beads would be to create a Holy Rosary.
Things You'll Need
- Roses
- Water
- Saucepan
- Stove
- Colander or sieve
- Bodkin, long needle, wire or metal hanger
Instructions
-
-
1
Gather roses. Remove the petals and chop them finely. Add the petals to a saucepan then add enough water to just cover the petals. Turn the heat on medium-low and let the petals cook for one hour. Do not let the water boil. Repeat this heating of the petals for three or four days. If necessary, add more water.
-
2
Check to see if the petals have reached a clay-like consistency. If they have, you are ready to form them into beads. Place the petal pulp in a colander or sieve. Press out as much water as possible.
-
-
3
Shape the pulp with your fingers into balls. When dry they will shrink to approximately half the size, so make them twice as large as you would like them to be.
-
4
Press the fairly dry balls onto a bodkin, long needle, wire or metal hanger to pierce holes in the center of the beads. Until the rose beads are perfectly dry they must be shifted around on the bodkin occasionally or else they will be break when removed. Once dry, remove and string them.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
