How Difficult is it to Make Memorial Jewelry Using Polymer Clay?

"I have heard you can use polymer clay with dried flowers to preserve a memory… would appreciate any advise." ~Jan-R

Although I've written about this memorial beads topic quite a few times over the last couple of years, questions continue to come in regularly with requests for more information. I'm happy to answer them. The following are the two most recent emails which I'll respond to in today's article.

Hey Cindy, just got a bracelet from the roses from my mom's funeral and it was beautiful. My niece had to send them to another state to get them done. I would love to start my own business but I don't have a clue how to do that kind of work. Is it possible that I could do it or is it very hard to do? Thanks, ~Martha-B

Cindy, I have heard you can use polymer clay with dried flowers to preserve a memory. I would like to preserve the rose petals from my mothers funeral but I don't know where to start. I would like to make some type of bead that I could make into jewelry. I do have experience making beaded jewelry. I would appreciate any advise or web page to go to. Thank you so much. ~Jan-R

Martha – I'm so happy to hear that you saved the roses from your mom's funeral, and that you were able to get a bracelet made from them. Making memorial jewelry using dried flower petals is a wonderful way to remember loved ones. Actually quite a few of the members here have created small businesses in their local areas, based on this unique idea. So you are definitely on the right track if it something that you would like to do as well.

Jan – With your experience in making beaded jewelry, you already have a head start, which is great! By the way, my sincere condolences go out to both you and Martha. May the memories of your mom's last forever in spirit, and in your hearts.

The techniques you'll need to learn for making polymer clay flower petal beads are not difficult at all, especially with the way I teach :-)  … The following link will take you to a recent article which includes some feedback about my easy-to-follow teaching methods: Making Polymer Clay Beads

If you have never worked with polymer clay before, then the place to start is with the beginners course. It will get you up to speed quickly, with everything you need to know, no matter which direction you end up going with polymer clay. Comments from students who have already taken this course, are posted here: Polymer Clay Beginners Course Feedback

Then, once you have gone through the beginners course, or if you already know all about polymer clay basics, the next step would be to head over to the members library. There is a back issue video that will show you exactly how to do dried flower polymer clay inclusions [Video 003-2: Flower Petal Inclusion Technique For Making Keepsake Jewelry Beads].

In regards to drying the actual flower petals prior to making the polymer clay beads, I like to use the microwave. You lay the petals in a single layer on a a couple layers of paper towel, topped with a few more sheets of paper towel. This will help draw the moisture away from the petals.

Bake on high in your microwave for 1 minute. Then check them. The paper towels will get damp and the petals will start to get dry and crispy. Keep micro waving in 1 minute intervals until all the petals are dry. Check for hot spots and don't burn them.

This microwave method works faster and there is less fading than if you air dry them. But if you have a lot of petals, like you would if you did it as a business, then you may want to use another method.

Finally, here is a list of other resources that may be helpful for you:

• Traditional Rosary Beads Very Different From Rose Petal Fimo Beads
• How to Make Rose Petal Beads from Polymer Clay and Dried Flowers
• Memorial Jewelry – How To Make Rose Petal Beads with Polymer Clay
• Handmade Jewelry from Polymer Clay Rose Beads and Ghost Cane Beads
• Flower Petal Bead Inclusions for Memorable Keepsake Jewelry
• Polymer Clay Jewelry Made with Several Styles of Flower Petal Beads
• Polymer Clay Tutorial | 4 Tips For Making Keepsake Flower Beads
• Memorial Jewelry from Polymer Clay Flower Petal Beads
• Keepsake Jewelry and Prayer Chaplet Made with Rose Petal Beads
• Beautiful Beads Made with Dried Flower Petals and Translucent Clay

Since this site is quite large, I've probably missed a few references. So to find even more information, be sure to also use the search box at the top of the page with keywords like memorial, keepsake, dried flowers, etc.

Hope this info was helpful. If you have any follow up questions, simply post them in the comment section below and I will be happy to respond.