Drying Flowers the Right Way
To create the most beautiful pieces for you, we need your help with one important step. When it comes to flowers, we kindly ask that you dry them before sending, or ship them in silica gel. With thicker flowers, such as sunflowers, we have found that moisture during transit can cause mould to develop, which limits how fully we can use the bloom in your piece.
Method One: Pressing in a Book
The most familiar method is also the simplest. Place the petals between sheets of paper and set them in the centre of a heavy book to press and dry slowly. The drawback is time: this method takes the longest of the three.
Method Two: The Oven
For a faster result, the oven works well, particularly for thin petals and delicate leaves. Line a baking tray with baking parchment, lay the plant material gently on it with space between each piece, then cover with a second sheet of parchment. Place an oven-safe dish on top to apply even pressure, just as with the pressing method. Set the oven to fan circulation at 50 to 60 degrees Celsius and be patient. After about an hour and a half, open the oven and carefully test the petals for moisture; they should be completely dry. Take care not to raise the temperature: it is better to wait a little longer and check periodically. For thicker flowers that take more time, you can place them carefully in a container of rice for a few days after the oven stage to draw out any remaining moisture. Be gentle so the petals do not crumble.
Important: flowers dried by the pressing or oven methods will not retain their three-dimensional form. They will be flat.
Method Three: Silica Gel (the Best Method)
For the finest results, we recommend silica gel. You can find it at garden centres, florist suppliers, and online. Place your flowers in a container and cover them completely with the gel, making sure every part of the bloom is submerged. Leave the container in a dry, dark place for approximately seven days, checking that the gel has absorbed all the moisture from the flowers.
This method preserves the flower's three-dimensional shape, which is essential when the bloom is to be set into a keepsake stone or a similar three-dimensional piece.
Shipping Tips
Once your flowers are dry, place them very carefully between two sheets of paper, taking care that they do not crumble. Sandwich these sheets between two thin pieces of card so the flowers are protected from both sides. For whole flower heads or larger elements that you wish to preserve in three dimensions, such as in a keepsake stone, choose a small box so that nothing is bent or crushed during transit. Address the parcel and send it to us, and we will turn it into something lasting.
Jewellery Examples with Dried Flowers
The pieces below show what becomes possible when flowers are prepared with care. Each one holds the colour, shape, and quiet presence of a bloom that matters.
For many more beautiful inspirations, we warmly invite you to browse our gallery.