Transformed Flower Decorations: Captivating Suncatchers Crafted from Recycled Materials
Celebrate Earth Day, welcome spring, or simply embark on an affordable crafting adventure with the creation of suncatchers using pressed flowers. This simple yet charming project is perfect for adding a touch of nature to your home decor.
The first step in making your suncatchers is to gather your materials. You'll need a Mason jar ring, scrap plastic, dried pressed flowers, craft tweezers, a hot glue gun, decoupage glue (either glossy or matte), a foam paintbrush, scissors, a permanent marker, and a suction cup with hook for hanging. Clear scrap plastic, such as that which may be found in produce packaging, is ideal for this project.
Begin by cutting out plastic circles using the Mason jar ring as a guide. Trace the ring onto the plastic with a permanent marker and cut it out. Trim the edges, if necessary, and any flowers or leaves sticking out.
Now, it's time to prepare your dried pressed flowers. Choose fresh blooms that are not too thick or wet for best results. Flowers like daisies, violets, cosmos, and small wildflowers work well. Strip off extra leaves and gently wash and pat the flowers dry to remove moisture. Lay each bloom flat between two pieces of parchment paper, wax paper, blotting paper, or coffee filters to prevent moisture from damaging the book and keep the flowers flat. Place the prepared flowers inside a large heavy book, such as an old dictionary, close the book carefully, and stack a few more heavy books on top to apply pressure. Leave the flowers to press for about 1 to 2 weeks, allowing them to dry completely and become paper-thin, perfect for crafting. To prevent browning or moisture buildup, swap out the paper every few days if possible.
Once your pressed flowers are ready, apply decoupage glue to empty spaces on the plastic circle and on top of the flowers. Add the second plastic circle on top of the flowers, pressing to secure. If you'd like to add a rustic touch, use a Mason jar lid. However, alternative materials like cardboard, cardstock, or stiff fabric like felt can also be used.
Now, apply decoupage glue to one plastic circle and carefully add pressed flowers using craft tweezers. Once the flowers are in place, assemble the suncatcher by applying hot glue along the inside of the ring, pressing the plastic circle into the ring, tying a strand of hemp cord, and hot glueing the hemp cord to the inside edge of the ring.
Since this project is so easy to make, you can create a batch of flower suncatchers in the same sitting. To display your suncatcher, press suction cup hooks onto a window and then hang the suncatchers on the hooks.
For those who love dried floral projects, consider making our DIY pressed flower coasters for more colorful decor. Keep dried pressed flowers away from direct sunlight to preserve their color longer, store them in a cool, dry place like a cupboard or pantry to avoid mold, and clean dust off gently with a small brush if needed.
Dried pressed flowers can be purchased on Etsy or in the scrapbooking or resin sections of most craft stores. So, gather your materials, press some flowers, and get crafting!
Create a collection of dried pressed flowers by gathering your favorite blooms, allowing them to dry and become paper-thin, perfect for crafting purposes. Use these flowers to embellish home-and-garden items, such as suncatchers made from home-and-garden materials like clear scrap plastic and Mason jar rings, adding a touch of nature to your home-and-garden lifestyle.
