How to Make Rose Petal Beads

A RECIPE FOR ROSE PETAL BEADS

You will need the petals of 3 dozen roses for 1 rosary.

Include only clean petals - no stems or leaves, etc. Discard any rotted or moldy petals.

• Boil.
• Mash.
• Boil.
• Roll into a round or cylindrical shape.
• Spread the mashed and rolled petals on clean paper towels to dry.
• Remove all moisture as quickly as possible to maintain good color.

Choose an area where the beads can be protected against direct sunlight and a continual temperature can be maintained. At home an electric heater with a fan can achieve this in a spare room without any house plants with curtains drawn. Keep the air circulating. The purpose is to remove moisture-laden air while maintaining the temperature so that the beads can dry evenly and quickly. The moisture from the air can be reabsorbed if the temperature falls or if fresh material is added.

The temperature in the drying area should be 90?? F to 95? F (32? C to 34?? C) before the beads are set out. This temperature needs to be maintained for the first 24 hours of drying. Subsequently the temperature may be reduced to 75? F to 80? F (25? C to 27? C) to complete the process, which should take from 3 to 5 days. The beads will shrink as they dry. So make the roll bigger than you want the beads to be finally. It will help the drying and prevent mold to roll the beads and change the paper towel at 12 hour intervals.

Drying is complete when the bead is crisp and does not feel cold when held to the cheek.

Do not introduce any new plant material into the drying environment while the drying process is underway.

Be patient. In a damp environment it will take about 1 ½ weeks for the petal beads to completely dry.

Pierce gently with wire.

Don't be disappointed. It may take you several tries to get this right.

Learn How to Make a Bead Rosary