Essential Products for DIY Flower Preservation Projects
You can find my DIY Floral preservation Guide HERE
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For Drying Your Flowers
Here are all the products and optional products that are needed for your DIY project. A lot of these items you will already have on hand. If you are unsure of how much or which sizes to get, watch the welcome video that explains the products in more detail. For the first 6 weeks of your project you need these 5 listed below. After 6 weeks you will need the remaining 12 products that are listed under "Design and Pouring Items."
1.Scissors- any scissors you have at home should work fine. If you have some cutters, those work great also.
2.Sealable plastic container- The size of the container you’ll need depends on how many flowers you’re preserving and how much silica sand you plan to use. The more flowers you have, the more sand you'll need to fully cover them.
For best results and to keep air out, I recommend using a sealable plastic container. However, if you already have a medium-sized container at home, that can work too. You would need to tape the sides closed to ensure it's completed sealed off. Keep in mind if you have large flowers like hydrangeas that take up more space but you don’t have to preserve all of them. Hydrangeas go a long way. You can break them up and put them throughout your piece. I usually only dry one of 2 of those.
3.Silica Sand- This is the best one I have found. Results are beautiful every time! It is a finer sand that can reach all the small crevices of each flower, helping them dry thoroughly while preserving as much color as possible. It’s also reusable.
4. PPE- Charcoal filter mask or Respirator Resin can be toxic depending on which one you are using. The one I have linked is a VOC free resin making it safer resin but a charcoal filter mask or respirator is recommended when working with both silica sand and resin.
5. Nitrile gloves. Nitrile gloves should be worn when working with silica sand and resin.
Design and Pouring Items needed after 6 weeks of Drying
1.Mold of your choice- There are a few mold options that are great for beginners. Just keep in mind that these are meant for one or two uses only.
Clear Tray with Gold Handles 11x14
2. Goggles- Safety Goggles are recommended when pouring resin. You will also need nitrile gloves and respirator or charcoal filter mask for part 2.
3.Resin- (1 gallon) USE CODE Icoat10 for 10% off. In my experience, this resin is the best option when working with flowers. Resin heats up as it cures, and some types can burn or damage delicate petals. I have consistently seen fewer bubbles when working with this resin. Not as thick as other resins so it is really easy to work with. Over time resin can turn yellow. This brand includes UV protection and anti-aging properties to help keep your piece looking it’s best longer.
4.Mixing cups- These cups have measurement markings on the sides, allowing you to mix with precision—which is crucial when working with resin as we need equal parts of resin and hardener.
5.Mixing Sticks- Plastic mixing sticks are a better choice than wooden ones, as wooden sticks can introduce extra air bubbles into the resin—and our goal is to minimize bubbles as much as possible.
6.99% alcohol- 99% Isopropyl alcohol is a must-have when working with resin. It effectively dissolves resin—and trust me, you’ll want this on hand if even a small drop gets on your skin. It’s also what I use to clean my tools and supplies so they can be reused.
7.Heat Gun- is a must have to get rid of air bubbles. You don’t want to use a flame gun as these can burn the flowers. This heat gun has a low and high setting. For this purpose we will use it only on the low setting. (I like to turn the dial on the back to 8, use without any of the attachments, and on the low setting.)
8.Hot Glue Gun- If you have one at home great. If not, Here is a great option for that is budget friendly and comes with 30 glue sticks.
9.Paper towels- I'm sure you already have these at home :)
10.Food Tent - This will cover your project every time you pour resin. Resin attracts bugs so you will need to keep it covered. Or you could use a box that is big enough to cover your mould. However if it is hot weather you want to use a tent bc a box will trap the heat from the resin and cause it to be even more hot. Don't want to burn the flowers.
11.Toothpicks- You probably have these on hand also but here is a link just in case.
12.Level- Any type of level will work if you already have one of these.
Optional Items
1.Apron- Cute cotton/Linen apron! Why not look cute while your creating a project :)
2.Pigments- if you want to have a black or other color background you will need a pigment coloring of choice.
3.Gold Flakes- same for the gold flakes if you want to add those to your piece.
4.Humidity Meter- if you live in a high humidity climate you may want to get this. It’s not recommended to pour resin in humidity over 50%. You can check daily with your local weather app, however a meter is more accurate.
5. Infrared Thermometer Gun- This can measure the temperature of your resin. It’s best to work with resin that is around 70 degrees. It’s easier to work with and has less air bubbles when it starts out at this temperature.
6.Liquid Latex or Painters tape- great to protect areas you don’t want to get resin on.
7.Sander (comes with extra sand paper) or sand paper 120 grit to 4000- for finishing off your project if you have any rough edges.