Method for Embedding Flowers in Resin Like a Pro Artist

Wondering how to make those beautiful flower bouquets last forever? I'll show you how to embed flowers in resin and create stunning, long-lasting decor.

This project combines dried flowers and epoxy resin, resulting in a unique vase perfect for showcasing your favorite blooms. It even makes a fantastic housewarming gift!

Step 1: Dry the Flowers (The Long, But Essential Step)

Drying your flowers is crucial before you include them in resin. If they're not completely dry, they will rot and change colors. Trust me, I've made this resin blunder before. You can see the disaster when I used fresh flowers in resin.

There are several techniques for drying flowers:

Air Drying (Hanging Upside Down)

Advantages: This is a straightforward and affordable method, ideal for preserving the shape of flowers.
Disadvantages: It may take several weeks for the flowers to dry completely, and colors may fade.

Silica Gel

Advantages: Maintains the 3D shape of the flowers and requires less space compared to other methods.
Disadvantages: Can be more expensive, and you need to handle it carefully to avoid inhaling dust.

Ironing Method

Advantages: Quick and effective for delicate flowers, suitable for drying small quantities.
Disadvantages: May not be suitable for all types of flowers, and it can be a bit messy.

Desiccant or Microwave Method

Advantages: Faster than conventional methods, especially useful for micro-drying delicate flowers.
Disadvantages: Requires extra caution as overheating can damage flowers.

For this project, I'm using roses and baby's breath, which I dried using silica gel.

Step 2: Measure the Mold (Optional, But Who Likes Waste?)

Choose a silicone mold that fits your style, whether it's pyramid-shaped, perfect for a square paperweight, or something more intricate. The essential thing is to pick a mold that highlighting your flowers. Measure the mold to determine how much resin you'll need with our Resin Calculator.

Since our mold for this project has an open center, we'll measure the outer and inner walls separately. Calculate the volume for each wall, subtract the inner volume from the outer volume, and voila—you'll know exactly how much resin you need!

Step 3: Prep the Mold

Lightly mist the mold with resin mold release to make demolding easier and protect the mold from micro-tears. Don't go overboard with the mold release—just a light mist is all you need to prevent streaks. After misting, insert the plug into the top center of the mold. You'll remove this once the resin has cured.

Step 4: Place the Flowers

Arrange the dried flowers in your mold, with the blooms facing upward. This enables bubbles to rise to the surface during the resin pour. If the flowers are flat, you won't need to worry as much about resin bubbles.

Step 5: Mix Resin

Select a resin formula that pours well in thick layers and cures clear to best preserve your flowers. Deep pour epoxy is perfect for this project since its fluid consistency encourages bubbles to rise to the surface, where you can eliminate them with a heat gun. A slow curing time is also beneficial to prevent cracks in the finished product.

Our favorite deep pour epoxy mixes two parts resin to one part hardener. Measure out the appropriate amounts of each and blend.

Step 6: Pour into the Mold

Carefully pour the resin into the mold, keeping an eye on any bubbles that form. Use a heat gun to pop the bubbles on the mold surface. Continue to check the resin every 15 to 30 minutes to eliminate any new bubbles until you no longer see any more.

Step 7: Let Cure

Cover your flower vase mold with a plastic container to prevent dust, hair, and other debris from settling on the resin. Give the epoxy three days to harden properly. Trust me, it's a long wait, but it's essential for a flawless, long-lasting piece!

Step 8: Demold

Peel the silicone away from the cured resin surface. If it's difficult to remove, try using soapy water, which acts as a lubricant. Don't forget to pull out the center plug as well.

Step 9: Finish

Add a final touch, such as a flower holder or a beautiful ribbon, and you're done! Say goodbye to wilting flowers and hello to stunning crafts that will last a lifetime.

Want more resin secrets? Check out How to Melt a Snowman Epoxy Ornament.

Cheers to preserving flowers forever!

This unique vase project combines dried flowers and epoxy resin, making it perfect for showcasing your favorite blooms or even as a thoughtful housewarming gift. For this project, you can use the Resin Calculator to determine the exact amount of resin needed to fill your chosen mold, ensuring no waste. Once the flowers are dried, arrange them in the mold for a beautiful arrangement that will be preserved in resin. Choose a deep pour epoxy resin formula that pours well in thick layers and cures clear for best results. After pouring the resin, eliminate bubbles using a heat gun, and let the epoxy harden for three days to complete the flower vase.

Method for Embedding Flowers in Resin Like a Pro Artist