Reconstructing dried flowers into jewelry is a good way to preserve them.
The easiest type of jewelry to make from flowers is to encase pressed flowers, which are already dried, into small, circular glass encasings, which you can wear as charms on a bracelet or a necklace. However, when dealing with funeral flower arrangements that are already dried, you simply cannot press them, as the flowers will crumble. You have to separate the petals from the flower arrangements and work with each dried petal, reconstructing them collectively and individually into something that will last through time.
Instructions
1. Take a golf-ball sized section of polymer clay and rub it between your hands to soften and flatten it.
2. Push the piece of clay through a pasta maker or some other comparable machine so the clay is flat and has equal thickness throughout.
3. Roll the piece of clay into a snakelike shape.
4. Cut the clay with a knife to form the beads. Cut each piece of bead with equal thickness and size. Try to make them identical.
5. Poke each bead through the middle with a metal skewer.
6. Bake the beads in an oven according to the directions on the package of clay. When baked, take them out and allow them to cool.
7. Spread a coat of decoupage on one side of the clay bead. Place a dried flower petal on the decoupage. Spread more decoupage on top of the petal. Allow it to dry.
8. Turn the bead to the other side and repeat step seven. Allow beads to dry for 24 hours.
9. String the beads on a necklace or bracelet. You can either use silk cord or attach them with pliers to a metal chain. Add a lobster claw clasp, and your beads are ready to wear.
