Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Taking A Look At Making Rosary Beads From Flowers

By
By Janine Hughes


Often, folks will keep the flowers from notable occasions like a funeral, wedding, or birth. On of the most common ways to preserve the petals is to dry or press them. A unique way of preserving the petals is making rosary beads from flowers. The prayer beads made from the petals of a special arrangement will make the perfect heirloom to hand down from generation to generation.

There are a number of processes used to make the bead. These processes typically require boiling large amounts of petals and mixing the liquid with a variety of ingredients such as ceramic or polymer clay. The dried petals are chopped and ground then boiled and kneaded into clay. The bead is hand rolled and then fired in a kiln, unglazed. A very strong ceramic bead is created from the original petals preserving your memory forever.

Although the fragments of the flowers are not able to be seen, there are surface irregularities that make them evident. The ceramic beads are pastel in color with a matte finish. The bead is never glazed. The polymer bead has bolder color and has a smooth polished look. Unlike the ceramic bead, the particles of the flowers are very visible.

The feel of the ceramic bead is that of a pebble that has been worn by water and somewhat coarse like very fine sandpaper. In contrast, the polymer clay bead has a velvety feel. Both materials are incredibly tough. The bead can break only when purposefully hit with a heavy object such as a hammer. Normal wear and tear cannot damage them. Even an accidental run through the washer will not harm the bead.

The ceramic ones are like small stones while the polymers have a level of suppleness. When the ceramic clay bead is fired it can last for thousands of years. On the other hand, it is not certain how long the polymer bead will last. It will likely last a few hundred years, however the color may fade when exposed to the sun.

The beads do not naturally smell like the petals they are made from. Fragrance can be added to the bead using oils. This is an added feature that is done on request. Periodically you may need to add more fragrance to the prayer beads. You can purchase the fragrant oils at craft stores. You can also store the beads with a scented sachet to keep it fragrant.

The cost to make the rosary will vary according to the metal that you select. Folks can choose from 14kt gold, gold filled, sterling silver, gold plated, and silver plated for the metal parts of the rosary. Carrying them in your pocket or your purse can wear the finish off so this should be a consideration when ordering.

Preserving a memory in a flower petal rosary is a unique way to honor an event. No matter if it is a wedding, a birth of a child, or the funeral of a loved one, the prayer beads will memorialize the occasion. They will last for a lifetime and can be passed down from generation to generation.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment