Creating jewelry with pressed flowers is a wonderful way to preserve nature's beauty in wearable art. This craft combines the elegance of flowers with the personal touch of handmade jewelry. Here are some practical steps and ideas to get you started on making your own pressed flower pendants and earrings.
Materials Needed- Pressed flowers: Choose small, flat flowers like pansies, violets, and daisies for the best results.
- Jewelry bezels or molds: These hold the flowers and resin in place. Bezels come in various shapes and sizes.
- Resin or clear-drying glue: Resin provides a durable, clear finish.
- Tweezers: For precise placement of the flowers.
- Small paintbrush: Helps to remove air bubbles from the resin.
- Jewelry findings (chains, earring hooks, jump rings): These components complete the jewelry pieces.
- Pliers: Useful for attaching findings.
- Mixing cups and sticks for resin: Necessary for preparing the resin mixture.
- Sandpaper (optional): For smoothing the edges of the resin pieces after curing.
Start by gathering fresh flowers. Choose small, flat flowers and petals for the best results. Place them between sheets of parchment paper and press them inside a heavy book. Leave them for at least a week to ensure they are completely dry and flat. Properly pressed flowers will retain their color and shape, making them ideal for jewelry making.Ā See our post about how to choose the pressed flowers.
Creating Pendants- Prepare the Bezel: Clean the bezel to ensure it's free of dust and debris. This helps the resin adhere better and results in a clearer finish.
- Arrange the Flowers: Use tweezers to carefully place the pressed flowers inside the bezel. Arrange them in a design you like. Take your time to ensure the flowers are positioned perfectly.
- Seal with Resin: Mix the resin according to the instructions. Pour a small amount into the bezel, covering the flowers completely. Use a small paintbrush to remove any air bubbles and ensure an even coat. Let the resin cure completely, which can take up to 24 hours.
- Finish the Pendant: Once the resin is fully cured, attach a jump ring to the top of the bezel. Thread a chain through the jump ring to complete your necklace. Consider using different chain lengths and styles to match the aesthetic of your pendant.
- Prepare the Molds: If using molds, clean them thoroughly. Place the pressed flowers inside the molds, arranging them as desired.
- Add Resin: Pour the mixed resin into the molds, covering the flowers completely. Use a toothpick or small brush to remove any air bubbles and ensure the resin is evenly distributed.
- Cure the Resin: Allow the resin to cure fully. This may take up to 24 hours depending on the type of resin used.
- Remove from Molds: Carefully remove the cured resin pieces from the molds. Sand the edges if necessary to remove any rough spots.
- Attach Findings: Use a small drill or a pin vise to create a hole at the top of each piece if needed. Attach earring hooks or studs using jump rings. Ensure all connections are secure. Experiment with different earring findings, such as drop or stud styles, to create various looks.
Beyond pendants and earrings, there are many other ways to incorporate pressed flowers into jewelry:
- Bracelets: Create small resin charms with pressed flowers and attach them to a bracelet chain.
- Rings: Use small molds to create resin pieces that can be attached to ring bases.
- Brooches: Design unique brooches by placing pressed flowers in larger bezels and attaching pin backs.
To keep your pressed flower jewelry looking its best:
- Avoid exposing it to water for prolonged periods.
- Store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
- Clean gently with a soft cloth; avoid using harsh chemicals.
