Friday, January 23, 2015

Taking A Look At Making Rosary Beads From Flowers

By Janine Hughes


Many people save the flowers from a memorable occasion such as a birth, wedding, or even a funeral. Typically the flowers are dried or pressed to preserve them. A very unique way to preserve the petals is to make rosary beads from flowers. A perfect keepsake or heirloom to pass down to children and grandchildren is prayer beads made from flower petals.

There are a number of processes used to make the bead. These processes typically require boiling large amounts of petals and mixing the liquid with a variety of ingredients such as ceramic or polymer clay. The dried petals are chopped and ground then boiled and kneaded into clay. The bead is hand rolled and then fired in a kiln, unglazed. A very strong ceramic bead is created from the original petals preserving your memory forever.

Even though flower fragments are not visible, you will notice irregularities in the surface that are evidence of the petals. A ceramic bead has a matte finish, never glazed, and the color pastel. A polymer bead is smooth, polished looking, and has a deeper color. In the polymer bead flower particles are easily seen.

The ceramic bead feels like a water worn pebble with a slightly rough surface similar to a fine sandpaper. A polymer bead feels smooth and velvety. Both of the materials are very tough and can only be broken on purpose by hitting it with something like a hammer. Everyday, normal use will not cause any damage to the bead. They can even stand up to accidentally running through the washing machine.

The ceramic ones are like small stones while the polymers have a level of suppleness. When the ceramic clay bead is fired it can last for thousands of years. On the other hand, it is not certain how long the polymer bead will last. It will likely last a few hundred years, however the color may fade when exposed to the sun.

There is no flower smell to the beads, If you want the rosary to smell like the flowers they are made with they can be treated with oils. This is something that is added when requested. Over time the fragrance will need to be refreshed. The fragrance oils can be found in craft shops. Storing your rosary with a sachet will help maintain the scent.

The cost will vary depending on the type of metal you choose. You have your choice of silver plated, gold plated, sterling silver, gold filled, and 14kt gold for the metal parts of the rosary. If you plan to carry them in a pocket or purse it is best to avoid the plated or filled metals since the finish will wear off.

Preserving a memory in a flower petal rosary is a unique way to honor an event. No matter if it is a wedding, a birth of a child, or the funeral of a loved one, the prayer beads will memorialize the occasion. They will last for a lifetime and can be passed down from generation to generation.




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