Make Rose Petal Beads

What You Need:

• Fresh rose petals—about 5 cups
• Water
• Rose essential oil—you may want to 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 on securely. Chop the mixture until you end up with a fine paste. Put the paste 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 the mixture 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 baking sheet covered with wax paper 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 historically it was predominantly made in Persia, Arabia and India.
• The petals hold small capsules of oil that are released when crushed. Then they are steam-distilled.
• Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils because of the number of flowers required to produce it.