The Best Tutorials to Preserve Flowers & Plants in Resin

Preserving flowers and plants in resin is a beautiful way to grab the natural beauty of nature and create stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you want to maintain a memorable bouquet, create unique jewellery, or make beautiful home decor, resin is an excellent medium for encapsulating flowers and plants. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best tutorials to help you get started with preserving flowers and plants in resin. To learn more about such techniques, enrol in a resin art workshop.

Drying Flowers for Resin Casting

Before you can cast flowers in resin, you need to dry them properly. There are several methods you can use to dry flowers for resin casting:

• Air Drying: Simply place the flowers in a vase or box and let them dry naturally. This is the easiest method, but it can force the flowers to lose some of their colour.
• Pressing: Place the flowers between paper and then between the pages of a heavy book. This method works well for drying flowers flat, but it can cause them to lose their 3D shape.
• Silica Gel: Place the flowers in a closed container with silica gel desiccant (for a few days to a couple of weeks). This method helps the flowers maintain their 3D shape and colour better than other methods.
• Microwave: Relying on the flower, you can dry them in the microwave for 1.5 to 3 minutes. There are flower presses specifically designed for this purpose. This is the fastest method, but it has a learning curve and can cause some flowers to burn.

Preserving Flowers in Resin

Once your flowers are dried, it's time to preserve them in resin. Here are some tutorials to help you get started:

• Resin Flowers Starter Kit Tutorial: This tutorial from GlassCast shows you how to create a simple yet beautiful rose paperweight using their Resin Flowers Starter Kit. It covers all the steps, from preparing and drying the flowers to positioning them in the mould, mixing and pouring the resin, and finally, flat and polishing the top face.
• Preserve Flowers in Resin Like a Professional: This tutorial from Resin Obsession combines dried flowers and epoxy resin to create a vase that can hold even more flowers. It covers how to dry the flowers, measure the mould, prep the mould, mix the resin, pour it, and let it cure.
• How to Preserve Flowers in Resin: This tutorial from Mod Podge Rocks walks you through preserving dried flowers in resin step-by-step, with a video to help you along the way. It covers the supplies you'll need, how to prepare fresh flowers for resin, and how to put dried flowers in resin.
• The Art of Preserving Dried Flowers in Resin: This guide from the Skillshare Blog covers everything you need to know about preserving dried flowers in resin, from drying the flowers to casting and curing the final product. It includes a list of essential supplies and tips for creating beautiful floral resin pieces.

Tips for Preserving Flowers in Resin

Here are some additional tips to help you create beautiful resin pieces with preserved flowers:

• Use a mould release spray to make demolding easier and protect your mould against micro-tears.
• If your resin mould has an open centre, measure the outer and inner walls separately to calculate the amount of resin you need.
• Plan your design first and use tweezers to place the dried flowers in the resin mould.
• Avoid using fresh flowers, which will rot and change colours inside the resin.
• Add other elements, such as alcohol inks, glitter, or gold flakes, to your resin pieces for interest.

Best Types of Flowers to Preserve in Resin

Based on the search results, here are some of the best types of flowers to preserve in resin:

• Roses: Roses are a classic choice for resin flower preservation. They hold their shape well and create a beautiful, timeless look.
• Ferns: Ferns make an excellent backdrop for resin flower arrangements. They add texture and greenery to balance out the flowers.
• Hibiscus: While hibiscus flowers only last 1-3 days naturally, preserving them in resin allows you to enjoy their vibrant colours year-round.
• Dried Flowers in General: Most dried flowers can be successfully preserved in resin. Some popular options include baby's breath, lavender, chamomile, and wildflowers.

The key is to use flowers that have been properly dried and prepared for resin casting. Silica gel is recommended to remove moisture from the flowers entirely without causing discoloration. Pressing flowers between the pages of a book for several weeks is another effective drying method.

When selecting flowers, choose ones with a shape and texture that will translate well to the resin medium. Avoid fresh flowers, which will rot and change colours inside the resin. With the proper preparation and resin casting techniques, you can immortalise various beautiful blooms in crystal-clear resin.

Roses, ferns, hibiscus, and various dried flowers tend to hold their colours best when encapsulated in crystal-clear resin. With the proper practice and procedures, you can immortalise a wide range of beautiful flowers in stunning resin pieces.

Conclusion

Preserving flowers and plants in resin is a beautiful and creative way to capture nature's beauty and create unique pieces lasting for years. With the right supplies, patience, and helpful tutorials, you can create stunning resin pieces that showcase the natural beauty of flowers and plants. Whether you're a novice or a professional resin artist, these tutorials have something to offer for everyone looking to preserve flowers in resin. Contact Us to learn more about this art form or visit Arts Shala’s website.