Dried Roses

Materials Needed:

·         Use silica readily available from your local craft store to dry flowers.

·         You can save 5 days in drying time by using the microwave.

·         If you want to remove the flowers so as to use silica immediately, you will have to support them. When removed from hot silica, flowers are soft and floppy.

When using silica even during the same session, it may remain hot. Microwave times should be cut down to accomodate this.  EXPERIMENT.

Some darker blooms are not suitable as they turn black. Try and choose a lighter colour that when dried will give the shade needed.

Procedure:

1. Take a plastic box about the size of a shoebox and put an inch of silica in the bottom.
2. GENTLY place the roses (5 to 8 depending on size) in the silica for support.
3. GENTLY sprinkle the silica over the roses until covered.
        ( being careful not to distort the flowers )
4. Tap box to settle silica and top up as needed.
5. Place in microwave for 2 min. on high. ( if silica is cold )
6. Leave overnight to cool and finish the drying process. 
        ( Leaving them in the silica supports and keeps flowers in their original form )
7. Remove flowers from silica gently tapping rose to remove any residue.