How to preserve flowers in Resin Paperweights – Learn the best techniques for preserving your flowers in resin paperweights.
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Introduction
Resin paperweights are a pretty and unique way to preserve flowers You can use any type of flower, but you’ll get the best results with blooms that are flat, like daisies, or have interesting colors or petals, like roses. The process is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment. All you need is some clear resin, hardener for the resin, a mold for the paperweight (a small cup will work in a pinch), and your flowers.
What You’ll Need
– flowers
– 1/4″ to 1/2″ diameter plastic or glass beads
– tweezers
– resin (we used Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Coating)
– mixing sticks
– mixing cups
– gloves
– ventilation
Step One: Preparing the Flowers
The first step is to collect the flowers you want to include in your paperweight. Make sure to choose blooms that are not too fragile, as they will need to withstand the encasing process. Deadhead any flowers that still have the stems attached, and carefully remove any leaves. Once you have your blooms, it’s time to prep them for preservation.
There are a few different ways to do this, but one of the most common is to dip them in a solution of glycerin and water. This will help to keep the flowers from drying out and prevent them from becoming brittle over time. You can find glycerin at most craft stores, or online. The ratio of glycerin to water should be 2:1 – so for every 2 cups of water, add 1 cup of glycerin.
Once your blooms are prepped, it’s time to move on to the next step!
Step Two: Mixing the Resin
Use equal parts resin and hardener, mix thoroughly for two minutes. If you are using a colorant, add it to the mixture now and stir for another minute to ensure even distribution. Immediately pour the mixed resin into your mold(s). You will have about 30 minutes to work with the resin before it begins to set, so pour it into as many molds as you’d like to fill.
Step Three: Adding the Flowers
Now that the resin is mixed and in the cup, it’s time to add the flowers. You can add as many or as few flowers as you’d like; just be sure not to overcrowd the piece. Simply drop the flowers into the resin, being careful not to touch them with your fingers (the oil from your skin will prevent the resin from bonding properly to the flowers). If you need to adjust the placement of a flower, use tweezers. Allow the piece to dry overnight.
Step Four: Adding the Finishing Touches
Now that your flowers are in place, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your resin paperweight. First, use a toothpick or other sharp object to make a small hole in the center of the resin. This will help release any bubbles that may be trapped under the flowers.
Next, mix a small amount of black paint with a drop of resin and use this mixture to fill in any gaps around the flowers. Be sure to work quickly, as the resin will start to harden almost immediately.
Finally, use a leveler or another flat object to press down on the flowers and ensure that they are completely submerged in the resin. Allow the resin to cure for 24 hours before handling or displaying your paperweight.
Step Five: Curing the Resin
After the flowers have been placed in the resin and it has been given time to set, it is time to cure the resin. This process will ensure that the flowers are properly preserved in the resin.
To cure the resin, place the paperweight in a well-ventilated area and allow it to cure for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove the paperweight from the curing area and allow it to cure for an additional 24 hours.
Once the resin has cured completely, your flower paperweight will be ready to enjoy!
Step Six: Enjoy Your Beautiful Paperweight!
Now that your paperweight is finished, it’s time to enjoy your beautiful creation! Place your paperweight in a prominent place where you can see it and admire it every day. If you want to display a large number of paperweights, you can create a resin paperweight display tray. Simply line a tray with felt or velvet and arrange your paperweights on top.
Tips and Tricks
Step 1
Choose your flowers. Small blooms work best, as they’ll be suspended in the resin. Consider using baby’s breath, roses, daisies, or other similar flowers. Avoid using flowers with a lot of water in them, as this will cause the flower to rot.
Step 2
Prepare your work surface. Cover it with parchment paper or plastic to protect it from spills. Set out your mold on the parchment paper. You can use a silicone mold, an ice cube tray, or a candy mold. If you’re using a candy mold, line it with parchment paper first so the resin doesn’t stick.
Step 3
Mix the resin according to the package directions. You’ll typically need to mix equal parts of the Resin A and Resin B components. Stir slowly and carefully to avoid creating bubbles in the mixture.
Step 4
Pour the mixed resin into your mold, filling it about halfway up the sides of the mold cavity. If you’re using a silicone mold, pour slowly to avoid creating air bubbles.
Step 5
Place your flowers in the resin within the mold cavity. You can arrange them however you like, but try to avoid stacking them on top of each other so that they’re all completely encased in resin. Allow the flowers to sink into the resin slightly so that they’re level with the top of the mold cavity.
Step 6 Fill in any gaps around the flowers with more resin, being careful not to disturb the arrangement too much and cause air bubbles. Pour slowly so that you don’t create any new bubbles in the mixture. If you do create any air bubbles, you can use a toothpick or pin to pop them and release the trapped air.
Step 7 Allow theResin paperweightsto cure for 24-48 hours before removing them from the mold
FAQs
Q: What kind of resin should I use?
A: You’ll need to use a two-part epoxy resin for this project.
Q: Can I use any kind of flowers?
A: You can use fresh or silk flowers for this project. If you’re using fresh flowers make sure they’re completely dry before you begin.
Q: How long will it take for the resin to cure?
A: It will take about 24 hours for the resin to cure completely.
