How to Preserve and Display Roses

Gardener and craft expert Tamara Tolkin preserves the beauty of roses in two unusual ways: waxing the blossoms and turning them into jewelry.

How to Wax Roses

Materials:

large double boiler
thermometer
paraffin wax (the type used for candles; available at craft stores)
fresh rose blooms, partially opened

Steps:

1. Melt the wax in the double boiler until the thermometer registers between 120 and 130 degrees.

2. Dip the rose in the hot wax, bloom first. Immerse for one to two seconds and pull out of the wax.

3. Continue holding the rose over the pot, letting the excess wax drip off. If the outer petals curl, just pull them off gently.

4. Arrange the roses in foam or a vase, adding water if desired. Your preserved blooms should last around two weeks.

How to Make Rose Petal Beads

Materials:

2 cups of rose petals
6 oz. water
blender
1 tbs. white craft glue
1 toothpick

Steps:

1. Combine two cups of rose petals with 6 ounces of water in a blender. Blend until you have a smooth paste.

2. Pour the mixture into a skillet and cook on a very low temperature for about an hour, until all the liquid has evaporated and you have a fine powder.

3. Mix the powder with a tablespoon of white craft glue to make dough. Shape the dough into desired shapes for beads.

4. While the dough is still moist, run a toothpick through the center of the bead for stringing the bead later. Be sure to remove the toothpick before drying.

5. Bake the beads in a 200-degree oven for about an hour.

6. Allow beads to cool, and then use them to create unusual jewelry.