From Garden to Art: Craft Your Own Pressed Flower Clay Decor

Have you ever wished you could preserve the beauty of your garden blooms all year round? With this simple DIY project, you can! Pressed flower clay plaques are a stunning and easy-to-make addition to your home decor.

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating your own unique pieces, from collecting flowers to sealing your finished clay art.

So, let’s get started and transform your garden treasures into timeless works of art!

Nature’s Keepsake: Crafting Pressed Flower Clay Plaques

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Materials

Preparing the Pressed Flowers

There are a few methods to press flowers, but for a quick and easy option, the microwave method is ideal. This method takes only a couple of minutes and produces beautiful results.

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I’ve made a short video of the entire microwave flower process for you to watch.

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Creating the Clay Plaques

Air-dry clay is a versatile and forgiving medium that’s perfect for this project. Its malleability allows you to create a variety of shapes and sizes with ease. No special skills are needed, it’s like rolling out cookie dough.

Rolling Out the Clay:

Begin by rolling out the clay evenly on a clean, non-stick surface. Aim for a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. This will ensure that your plaques are sturdy and durable.

Creating the Shapes:

Now it’s time to get creative! For a circular plaque, simply use a bowl or lid as a template. If you’re looking for a smaller circle, a terracotta pot or glass can be a great option, as shown here.

To create a rectangular plaque, I recommend using a notecard as a template. Cut around the card with a pizza cutter for a clean, even edge.

To smooth out the rough edges wet your finger with water and run along the rough spot. For a more organic look, you can leave the imperfections on the edges.

Adding Holes for Hanging:

Once you’ve shaped your plaques, use a straw to gently poke holes near the top. These holes will allow you to hang your finished pieces on the wall.

Allow the clay to air-dry completely, which can take anywhere from one to two days. Drying times can vary depending on factors like temperature and humidity. On a warm day, I found that my plaques dried overnight when placed on my porch.

**I did paint the plaques with white acrylic craft paint, the clay dries to an off-white color. This is your own preference for the look that you are trying to achieve.**

Adding the Flowers

Now that your clay is dry (and paint if you choose to paint your plaques), it’s time to glue the pressed flowers to your plaques.

Using Mod Podge:

To securely attach the pressed flowers to the clay, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the backs of the flowers. Use a small foam brush or paintbrush to avoid damaging the delicate petals.

Creative Placement:

Before you begin gluing, take some time to envision the arrangement you’d like to create. Experiment with different layouts until you find a design that you love. Remember, there are no right or wrong ways to arrange your flowers. Let your creativity flow!

Finishing Touches: Sealing Your Creation

To protect your pressed flowers and give your plaques a beautiful, glossy finish, you’ll want to seal them with epoxy resin. While epoxy resin can be a bit intimidating for beginners, this was my first time using it, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought!

Applying the Epoxy:

Once you’ve mixed the epoxy according to the instructions, carefully pour it over the clay plaque, allowing it to run over the sides. To remove any air bubbles, gently tap the plaque with a toothpick.

Curing the Epoxy:

Allow the epoxy to cure undisturbed for 24-48 hours on a silicone or waxed paper surface. During the curing process, you may notice the epoxy filling in the holes you made with the straw. If this happens, simply use the straw to clear the holes.

Tip: For a more professional look, consider adding a thin layer of epoxy to the back of the plaque as well. I would do this if you are giving it as a gift, but if it’s for yourself I wouldn’t bother.

Sealing with Glaze: A Glaze-Over Option

In addition to epoxy resin, you can also use a triple-thick glaze to seal your pressed flower plaques. Glaze is a popular choice for many crafters due to its ease of use and clear, glossy finish.

It did look cloudy when I first poured it over the clay plaque but dried crystal clear.

Applying Glaze:

Simply pour the glaze over the plaque, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Allow the glaze to dry completely, and you’ll be left with a beautiful, protected piece.

Pros and Cons of Glaze:

• Pros: Easier to work with than epoxy for beginners, often less expensive.
• Cons: May not be as durable as epoxy in the long run, especially if exposed to harsh conditions. But side by side I can’t tell the difference between the epoxy plaques and the glazed one.

Ultimately, the best sealing agent for you will depend on your personal preferences and the intended use of your plaques.

Finishing Touches

The final step is to add a cord or jute hanger to your plaques. This will make it easy to hang your creations and showcase them in your home.

Leather, suede, or jute cord would all look fantastic for this project! I went with a faux leather cord for mine.

You can choose to run the cord through the front of the plaque and knot it in the back for a more discreet look. Or, for a decorative touch, you can run the cord through the back and tie a knot in the front.

For my set, I did it both ways and both look great. Just make sure your knot is larger than the straw hole so the cord can’t slip out when you hang it later on.

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Wrapping It Up

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created beautiful and unique pressed flower clay plaques. These handcrafted pieces make wonderful additions to your home decor or thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Remember, with a little creativity and patience, you can transform pressed flowers into stunning works of art. Experiment with different flower combinations, clay shapes, and sealing methods to create your own personalized masterpieces.

Additional Note: I noticed that the yellow and orange flowers retained their vibrant colors much better than the purple and pink ones, which seemed to lose their intensity. But the plaques came out so pretty regardless!

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