How to Make Dried Flower Resin Crafts | Best Way to Dry Flowers with Silica Gel
Preserving flowers in resin is one of the most beautiful and meaningful ways to create long-lasting keepsakes. Whether you want to save wedding flowers, memorial blooms, or your favorite garden pickings, dried flower resin crafts offer endless creative possibilities.
But here’s the most important rule of all:
Never use fresh flowers directly in resin.
This guide will teach you exactly why — and show you how to dry flowers properly using silica gel crystals, the most popular method among resin artists in the U.S.
🌼 Why You Should Never Use Fresh Flowers in Resin
Fresh flowers contain a high level of internal moisture. When sealed in epoxy resin, moisture becomes trapped and causes multiple issues:
- Browning or fading
- Mold growth
- Cloudiness or bubbles in the resin
- Soft spots due to improper curing
- Shrinking or distortion as the flower continues dehydrating
To achieve clear, professional-quality resin crafts, flowers must be fully dried before use.
This is why most resin artists prefer using silica gel for drying flowers.
🌸 Step 1 — Drying Flowers with Silica Gel Crystals (Best Method for Resin)
Using silica gel crystals for drying flowers is currently the most reliable and popular method in the crafting community.
⭐ Why Silica Gel Crystals Are Ideal for Resin Crafts
Silica gel crystals offer several advantages:
- Small, sand-like grains that gently support delicate petals
- Helps flowers maintain their natural shape and vibrant color
- Suitable for large blooms (roses, peonies) and small flowers
- Non-toxic & safe
- Reusable — simply reactivate in microwave or oven
- Fast, consistent results
Tip: Wear a mask during use to avoid inhaling any fine dust.
⏱ Typical Drying Time
7–10 days, depending on flower size and thickness.
🌈 Use Color-Indicating Silica Gel (Recommended)
Color-indicating silica gel helps you instantly know when it needs reactivation:
- Orange → Green = moisture-saturated
Avoid blue indicating silica gel, as it contains cobalt chloride, a toxic substance not recommended for crafting, home use, or DIY flower preservation.
🌼 Step 2 — Preparing Your Epoxy Resin
You can use:
- Epoxy resin (best for large projects)
- UV resin (best for jewelry and small molds)
Tips for better results:
- Mix resin slowly to reduce bubbles
- Follow the exact resin-to-hardener ratio
- Warm the resin slightly for thinner viscosity
- Work in a clean, ventilated workspace
🌸 Step 3 — Arranging Dried Flowers in the Mold
Choose your preferred mold style:
- Coasters
- Jewelry
- Keychains
- Trinket trays
- Letters
- Decorative blocks
Arrangement tips:
- Pour a thin base layer of resin
- Use tweezers for precise placement
- Place flowers face-up for the best look
- Add resin in layers to avoid floating or shifting
🌼 Step 4 — Pour, Cure & Demold
1. Pour in Layers
Thin layers help reduce bubbles and prevent overheating.
2. Remove Bubbles
Use:
- Heat gun
- Lighter
- Toothpick
3. Allow Full Cure Time
Most epoxy resins cure in 24–72 hours.
4. Demold Gently
Once fully hardened, remove from the mold.
🌸 Step 5 — Sanding & Finishing (Optional)
To achieve a professional finish:
- Wet-sand the edges
- Add a topcoat of resin for a glossy shine
🌼 Final Thoughts
Creating dried flower resin crafts is a relaxing and meaningful way to preserve nature’s beauty. By using silica gel crystals for drying flowers, especially orange color-indicating types, you’ll ensure your blooms stay vibrant and perfectly shaped — ready for stunning resin artwork.