How to Dip Roses in Wax

Wax roses. Photo by Sarah Zepecki.

Dipping roses in wax is a great way to preserve a special moment, and it's also a fun craft for children to learn. It is done with hot paraffin wax, so have an adult on hand for supervision and assistance. Dipping hands in paraffin wax is also a great way to moisturize, and it's a fun way to play with the leftover wax.

Things You'll Need

• 16 roses
• Paraffin wax
• Cooking thermometer
• Double boiler or two saucepans -- one that can fit inside the other
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Put 2-3 inches of water in the larger saucepan. Place the smaller saucepan inside the larger one, and bring the water to a boil, or simply heat the double boiler.

2. Add 3/4 pound of paraffin wax to the saucepan and let it melt. Measure the temperature with a cooking thermometer and maintain the heat when it reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Hold the stem as close to the end as possible without risking dropping it. Dip the rose, petals first, into the wax, up to your fingertips.

4. Take the rose out of the wax, and wait for it to cool and harden, about five minutes. Then hold the rose by the flower, and dip the stem where you were holding it so the entire rose is covered in wax.

5. Wait for the stem to harden and cool, then dip the flower again. Wait for the flower to harden, and dip the stem one more time. Lay the rose on wax paper to harden completely. Repeat this process with the other roses.