Gardening in Tennessee means enjoying beautiful blooms throughout the growing season, but those flowers don’t have to fade when summer ends. Casting techniques let you capture their beauty in permanent forms that brighten your home year-round.
Whether you’re working with hydrangeas from your backyard or wildflowers from a hike, these preservation methods turn fleeting petals into lasting keepsakes. Here are eight creative casting approaches perfect for Tennessee gardeners looking to celebrate their harvest.
1. Resin Casting For Long-Lasting Bouquets
Clear epoxy resin transforms fresh blooms into glossy, permanent displays that look almost alive. I once tried this method with my own zinnias, and the results lasted for years without fading.
The process involves arranging dried flowers in a mold, then pouring liquid resin over them in layers. Tennessee’s humidity means you’ll want to work in a climate-controlled space to avoid cloudiness.
Once cured, these pieces make beautiful paperweights, coasters, or decorative blocks. They’re surprisingly simple to create at home with basic supplies from craft stores.
2. Plaster Molds That Capture Petal Details
Pressing blooms into wet plaster creates textured impressions that highlight every delicate vein and curve. This technique works especially well with large flowers like sunflowers or magnolias.
Mix plaster of Paris with water until it reaches a thick, pourable consistency. Press your flower face-down into the surface before it fully sets, then carefully remove it after drying.
The resulting casts can be painted, left natural, or even used as wall art. For me, this works best in humid Tennessee summers when flowers are at peak bloom.
3. Pressed Blooms In Clear Wax Displays
Encasing pressed flowers between layers of melted wax creates luminous window hangings that glow when backlit. This old-fashioned method has been revived by modern crafters for good reason.
Start by pressing your flowers completely flat for several weeks. Then sandwich them between sheets of wax paper and gently iron on low heat to seal.
Hang these near windows where sunlight can illuminate the petals. They’re perfect for preserving wildflowers you’ve collected from Tennessee trails or roadsides.
4. Concrete Casting For Garden Stepping Stones
Garden concrete becomes art when you embed fresh flowers into its surface before it sets. This creates personalized stepping stones that commemorate your favorite blooms.
Pour quick-setting concrete into shallow molds, then gently press flower heads into the top layer. The petals leave behind permanent imprints once you remove them.
These stones withstand Tennessee weather beautifully and add character to pathways. Consider using native flowers like black-eyed Susans or coneflowers for regional authenticity that tells a story.
5. Silicone Mold Casting For Soap Embeds
Creating silicone molds from actual flowers lets you reproduce their shapes in soap, wax, or clay repeatedly. This method preserves the dimensional form rather than just the flat appearance.
Press your flower into food-grade silicone putty and let it cure overnight. Once hardened, you have a reusable mold for countless projects.
Pour melted soap base or beeswax into these molds for custom gifts. Hydrangea florets work particularly well because their clustered shape creates interesting textures perfect for Tennessee-themed products.
6. Ice Resin Jewelry With Tiny Blossoms
Miniature flowers become wearable art when encased in ice resin, a specialized formula that cures crystal-clear. This technique turns even the smallest blooms into cherished jewelry.
Select petite flowers like violets or forget-me-nots that fit inside pendant bezels. Layer thin coats of resin, allowing each to partially cure before adding the next.
The result is professional-looking necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. My favorite pieces feature the tiny wildflowers that pop up in Tennessee lawns each spring before anyone mows them down.
7. Beeswax Embedding For Rustic Candles
Natural beeswax candles gain extra charm when you embed dried petals directly into their outer layer. This combines the warmth of candlelight with the organic beauty of preserved botanicals.
Roll a sheet of beeswax around a wick, then use a heat gun to soften the surface. Quickly press flat, dried flowers against the warm wax.
As the candle burns down, the embedded flowers remain visible around the edges. Choose heat-safe flowers like lavender or chamomile that won’t ignite when exposed to flame.
8. Polymer Clay Impressions For Ornaments
Polymer clay captures incredible detail when you press fresh flowers into its surface before baking. This creates lightweight ornaments or gift tags with botanical themes.
Roll out the clay to your desired thickness, then firmly press a flower face-down. Remove it carefully to reveal the impression, then bake according to package directions.
Once cooled, paint the raised areas with metallic acrylics to make details pop. These make thoughtful gifts that showcase Tennessee’s seasonal beauty in a form that lasts forever.