Beginners’ Guide on How to Preserve Flowers for Resin Keepsakes

A clear, practical, and warmly encouraging guide for beginners who want their flowers to look as timeless as the memories they represent.
(And yes, I’ll share a couple of my own missteps — the kind that made me a better artist, not a clumsy one!)

🌸 Blog Outline

1. Introduction: Why Preserving Flowers Matters

2. Two Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

3. Best Methods for Preserving Flowers

   • Air-Drying

   • Pressing

   • Silica Gel Drying

   • Microwave Method (for emergencies)

4. Keeping Colors Vibrant

5. Storing Preserved Flowers Before Use

6. Preventing Mold (Your Keepsake’s Worst Enemy)

7. FAQs for Beginners

8. Conclusion: Memories Preserved with Care

1. Introduction: Why Preserving Flowers Matters

Fresh flowers are stunning — until you try to seal them in resin.
Without proper preservation, their vibrant colors fade to dull brown, petals shrivel, or worse, mold appears beneath the glossy surface.

The goal of preserving flowers is to lock in their natural beauty before they meet the resin.
This is especially important for sentimental pieces like wedding bouquets, baby’s breath from a l’chaim, or even petals from a memorial arrangement.

In my early days at My Flower Keepsake, I thought resin alone could “freeze” flowers in time.
I quickly learned that while resin is magical, it can’t stop nature unless we prepare the blooms properly.

2. Two Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

I believe in learning from mistakes — ideally someone else’s.
Here are two key lessons from my own journey that shaped the way I work today:

Lesson 1: Patience is Non-Negotiable
Early on, I once sealed a rose that felt dry on the outside but still held moisture deep within.
It looked beautiful at first.
Three weeks later, it had developed tiny white spots — a heartbreaking sign of mold.
That experience taught me to give flowers the full drying time they deserve, no shortcuts.

Lesson 2: Sunlight Isn’t Always Your Friend
I once left a few pale pink peonies in a sunny window, thinking the warmth would help them dry faster.
Instead, the petals turned beige and lost their charm.
I learned that cool, dark spaces are best for maintaining those soft, romantic tones.

Those two experiences were humbling, but they made me more precise and careful — and gave me a healthy respect for the preservation process.

3. Best Methods for Preserving Flowers

Air-Drying (Simple and Reliable)

Air-drying is a classic method perfect for sturdy blooms like roses and baby’s breath.
Tie the stems loosely and hang them upside down in a dry, dark spot for 1–3 weeks.

Tip: Avoid tying too tightly — stems can deform as they shrink.
Think of it as giving the flowers room to breathe while they dry.

Pressing (For Flat Keepsakes)

For bookmarks, photo frames, or thin coasters, pressing is the best approach.
Place blooms between parchment paper inside heavy books or use a flower press.

Pressed flowers may lose some depth of color, but they cure beautifully flat — perfect for resin art that requires a smooth surface.

Silica Gel Drying (Best for Shape and Color)

Silica gel is my go-to for preserving delicate shapes and vibrant colors.
Gently bury blooms in the crystals and leave them for 5–7 days in a sealed container.

This method is ideal for wedding flowers or intricate petals like peonies and ranunculus.
The results are consistently beautiful and worth the extra effort.

Microwave Method (For Urgent Cases)

When time is short — for example, when a bouquet arrives days after the event — the microwave method can save the day.
Use a microwave-safe container, cover the blooms in silica gel, and heat in 30-second intervals.

Check carefully between each cycle.
Done right, this technique can produce good results, but it’s best reserved for emergencies.

4. Keeping Colors Vibrant

To protect the natural beauty of your blooms:

• Start drying as soon as the flowers are cut.

• Keep them out of direct sunlight during drying.

• Use silica gel for delicate or vibrantly colored flowers.

• Consider a light spray of floral sealant once dried.

These steps can help prevent dulling or discoloration over time.

5. Storing Preserved Flowers Before Use

Dried flowers are fragile — think of them as fine lace.
Handle them gently and store them properly until it’s time for the resin pour.

• Keep them in airtight containers.

• Add a few packets of fresh silica gel to absorb residual moisture.

• Store in a cool, dark place away from humidity.

Good storage ensures your flowers stay as beautiful as the day you dried them.

6. Preventing Mold (Your Keepsake’s Worst Enemy)

Mold is the single biggest threat to preserved flowers in resin.
Here’s how to prevent it:

• Ensure flowers are fully dried before pouring resin.

• Avoid working in humid environments.

• Apply a thin sealing coat to delicate petals before embedding them in resin.

A little care upfront saves you from disappointment later.

7. FAQs for Beginners

Q: Can I use flowers that were dried years ago?
Yes — as long as they’re clean, dry, and free from mold.

Q: How do I keep white flowers from turning yellow in resin?
Choose UV-resistant resin and avoid exposing your finished piece to direct sunlight.

Q: Is silica gel reusable?
Yes! Dry it out in the oven according to package instructions.

8. Conclusion: Memories Preserved with Care

Preserving flowers for resin keepsakes doesn’t require fancy tools — just the right method, patience, and attention to detail.
Each keepsake you create will hold a cherished memory, and with proper preparation, that memory will stay beautiful for years to come.

The few mistakes I made early on taught me lessons I now pass on to you.
With care and the right approach, you can preserve not just the blooms, but the emotions they represent.