Dried flower


Materials:

Making:

1. Start saving rose petals. This is easy for anyone with a rose garden, since the petals will be plentiful, (or anyone who is lucky enough to get roses often) but you can slowly gather petals over time, if you need to.

2. Store the rose petals properly. While you are saving up enough petals for your handmade beads, keep them in a shallow, open container or basket. (A sunny location is ideal.) Toss the petals at least once a day to inhibit mold.

3. Place your dried rose petals into a saucepan and fill with warm water until the petals are covered.

4. Heat gently over low heat, and simmer (but do not allow to boil) for about an hour. Cover the saucepan and allow to cool overnight.

5. Repeat the cooking process described above 3 more times. Your dried rose petals should have turned into a soft, smooth paste after cooking 3 times - but if they haven't - simply repeat the cooking process again. When you have the right consistency, let the paste cool completely.

6. Form your handmade beads. Moisten your fingertips with a little water (or essential oil), and pinch off the amount of paste that will yield the bead size you're looking for. Roll the paste into a ball and pierce the ball (all the way through) with a toothpick. Continue making handmade beads in this fashion, and place them on plastic wrap to dry for about three hours.

7. Remove the toothpicks from the beads (carefully). Once your beads have dried overnight, you're ready to string a unique, fragrant and natural necklace or bracelet!

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