By Trace Barnett

How to Press Flowers and Use Them for Beautiful Candles

Pressed flowers add a delicate, natural beauty to many crafts, and they’re surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re preserving blooms for keepsakes, decorating candles, or crafting tiny tea lights in eggshells, this guide will show you how to press flowers and transform them into enchanting decor.

Best Flowers and Foliage for Pressing

Certain flowers and leaves press better than others, maintaining their color and shape over time. Here are some ideal varieties:

• Flowers: Pansies, violas, daisies, cosmos, larkspur, forget-me-nots, baby’s breath, hydrangea petals, and Queen Anne’s lace.
• Foliage: Ferns, ivy, eucalyptus, mint, and rosemary.

Avoid thick or moisture-heavy flowers like succulents and lilies, as they do not press well.

How to Press Flowers at Home

Method 1: Traditional Book Pressing

1. Pick fresh flowers and leaves, removing any excess moisture with a paper towel.
2. Arrange them flat between two pieces of parchment paper.
3. Place inside a heavy book and weigh it down further with other books.
4. Leave undisturbed for 1-2 weeks until fully dry and pressed.

Method 2: Quick Ironing Method

1. Place flowers between two sheets of parchment paper.
2. Set an iron to low (no steam) and gently press over the parchment for 10-15 seconds.
3. Repeat until the flowers are dry and flattened.

Method 3: Microwave Pressing

1. Arrange flowers between parchment paper and place them inside a microwave-safe dish.
2. Weigh down with another dish and microwave in 30-second intervals until dry.

How to Use Pressed Flowers in Candles

Eggshell Tea Light Candles with Pressed Flowers

MATERIALS:

• Empty eggshell halves (clean and dry)
• Soy or beeswax flakes
• Candle wicks
• Pressed flowers
• Wax melting pot or double boiler
• Essential oils (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Arrange pressed flowers inside the eggshell, placing them where they’ll be visible.
2. Insert a small wick at the center of the eggshell.
3. Melt the wax using a double boiler, adding essential oils if desired.
4. Carefully pour the melted wax into the eggshell, securing the wick.
5. Let cool completely before trimming the wick and using.
6. Enchanting Taper Candles with Pressed Flowers

Tapered Candles with Pressed Flowers

MATERIALS:

• Plain taper candles
• Pressed flowers
• Melted wax (same color as the candle or clear)
• Small paintbrush
• Tweezers

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Warm the taper candle slightly to help flowers adhere.
2. Use tweezers to place pressed flowers onto the candle.
3. With a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of melted wax over the flowers to seal them in place.
4. Let dry completely before lighting.

With these simple techniques, you can create beautiful, nature-inspired candles that add a touch of elegance to any setting. Whether making them as gifts or for personal use, these pressed flower candles bring a magical charm to any space!