Make Rose Petal Beads

Roses are the most commonly purchased flower in the world. Rose petals are incredibly important in the perfume industry and rose hips (the fruit) are an excellent source of vitamin C. But whoever thought that you could make beads out of rose petals? Not only can it be done, but the beads smell wonderful! Crushing the rose petals releases the essence of the sweet scent that we all identify with roses.

What You Need:

• Fresh rose petals – about 5 cups
• Water
• Rose essential oil – may substitute rose fragrance oil available at craft stores
• Metal spoon or spatula
• Blender
• Toothpicks
• Wax paper
• Baking sheet
• Rubber gloves

What You Do:

1. Collect 5 cups of the most fragrant rose petals from a garden or from a florist. Discard wilted or brown petals.
2. Add ¼ cup of water and 2 cups of petals to a blender and place the lid securely on. Chop the mixture until you end up with a fine paste. Put this into a bowl.
3. Blend the remaining petals with 2 tablespoons of water per cup of flowers. If it is too watery, blot it with paper towels. Add this to the bowl.
4. With gloves on, place a drop of rose oil on your fingers and roll a small amount of paste into your palm to form a bead the size of a marble. Stick a toothpick through the bead and leave it in place.
5. Place the beads on a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet and let it harden for a few days. Remove the toothpick and then let it sit for 2 more days.
6. Your beads should be dry now and ready to string!

Did you know?

• It takes about 2,000 flowers to produce 1 gram of rose essential oil.
• Rose oil is made mostly in Bulgaria today but was predominantly made in Persia, Arabia and India.
• The petals hold small capsules of oil that when crushed are released. Then they are steam distilled.
• Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils because of the number of flowers it takes to produce it.