How to Coat Flowers in Resin
Flowers are one of life's greatest pleasures. Unfortunately, their lives are fleeting after they are cut. Through drying, it is possible to hold on to cut flowers for years. Dried flowers are quite long lasting, but like their fresh counterparts, they, too, are vulnerable to the passage of time. Their colors fade, and their leaves and petals crumble. By spraying, dipping or embedding dried flowers in resin, however, it is possible to protect and preserve them even longer, and to create new, enchanting objects, such as jewelry.
Things You'll Need
- Protective mask
- Rubber gloves
- Assorted dried flowers
- Craft resin spray
- Epoxy resin
- Clothespin or clip
- Twine
- Ice cube trays
- Disposable mixing containers
Instructions
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Coating Flowers in Resin
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Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear a protective mask to prevent the inhalation of excess fumes from either the spray or the epoxy resin. Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from coming in contact with the resin.
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Hold a dried flower stem in your gloved hand. Cover the entire stem and bloom with a light coating of craft spray resin. Follow the craft spray resin manufacturer's instructions for proper use of its product and drying time.
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3
Dip your flowers directly into clear epoxy resin. Wear protective gloves while doing so. After dipping, use a clothespin or other clip to suspend the flowers by their stems from a strung-up length of twine. Allow them to dry completely. Dip them again, if you desire.
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4
Embed dried flowers in epoxy resin. Place dried flower pieces in an ice cube tray. Pour epoxy resin into the tray. Follow the epoxy resin manufacturer's specific instructions for use and drying time. Remove the resin squares from the ice cube tray mold when dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Use disposable bowls, cups or utensils to measure and mix the different components of your epoxy resin if the type you use requires you to do so.
Generally, the more coats of spray craft resin you apply to your dried flowers, the glossier they will be. This will give them an almost plastic appearance.
Experiment with different types of molds besides ice cube trays. You can buy a variety of dimensional latex and plastic molds from art- and craft-supply retailers, or use assorted objects from around the house as molds.
Spray, dip or embed just the blooms or petals of your dried flowers, if you desire.
Coat all of your dried flowers in craft spray resin and arrange them in vases, baskets or other containers, or use them to make swags.
Use resin-dipped or embedded dried flowers to make interesting pendants for jewelry or other craft components.
