BOTANICAL JEWELRY ARTISTIC CRAFTING OF JEWELRY USING PLANT MATERIALS INSPIRATION AND TIPS

WHY? Botanical Jewelry is an artistic art form considered a “craft” This craft explores Nature and builds appreciation of nature’s infinite beauty It is a great craft for those terrified of doing a floral design It adds interest to a flower show It’s fun and rewarding and relaxing!

BELLA ITALIA PHILLY FLOWER SHOW

EARRINGS AND PIN WAFA FLOWER SHOW

BOTANICAL TIE-TAC

BOTANICAL PIN

BOTANICAL EARRINGS

PALM BEACH FLOWER SHOW: EARRINGS

BOTANICAL EARRINGS

“A GIFT FROM RICHARD” PHILLY FLOWER SHOW

BOTANICAL CUFF

STARTED OUT WITH MAGNOLIA LEAF CURLED AROUND HAIR SPRAY BOTTLE AND ALLOWED TO DRY….

ALONG WITH THE MAGNOLIA LEAF SHE INCLUDES BIRCH, TWIGS, SPENT FLOWERS AND SEEDPODS

WITH A LITTLE GLUE, FINGERNAIL POLISH, GOLD AND BRONZE PAINT THE ARTIST CREATED BASIC DESIGNS FOR CUFF…

THIS ENTRY WON BEST IN SHOW AT PHILLY FLOWER SHOW

BOTANICAL TECHNIQUES: STRINGING

SEEDS WERE DRILLED, PAINTED, AND STRUNG USING WIRE. OTHER EMBELLISHMENTS WERE ATTACHED WITH GLUE. MATERIALS USED:

IN THESE EXAMPLES, SEEDS WERE DRILLED THEN STRUNG NOTE THAT BOTTOM USES MAPLE LEAF SEED PODS ALTERNATING WITH DRIED SEED PODS

A DIFFERENT NECKLACE TECHNIQUE: A BIRCH BRANCH WAS SOAKED THEN SHAPED AROUND CYLINDER AND DRIED. BOTANICAL EMBELISHMENTS ARE THEN GLUED TO SURFACE OF BRANCH.

COMBINATION NECKLACE APPROACH: STRUNG BEADS ATTACHED TO BOTANICAL SOLID THEN EMBELLISHED WITH GLUED ON FLOWERS AND SEEDS

WHERE DO I BEGIN? Get inspired looking at real jewelry …Tiffany’s? Look around you….nature provides Any plant piece can be broken down into parts to create something new Hit the pantry: Mustard Seeds, Rice, Coriander Seeds, Peppercorns, Star of Anise, Bay leaves, beans, peas, corn, nuts, etc… Iris stems: Hollow stems can be cut into sections, painted into cylindrical beads Apple Slices: Can be cut into holes with punches to make chains Banana Peels can be pulled apart to make strings that resemble leather Crepe Myrtle calyx and Acorn Caps: Make great bezels

TIPS: Start ASAP as paints need multiple coats and you need time for glues and paints to dry. Always paint raw specimens before assembly Gather your botanical finds and sort them into plates or cups If drilling holes is required: Borrow/Use small drill bit 1/16 th and ensure that you wet drill bit with a bit of detergent and use gentle pressure. Hold specimen to drill with plyers.

TIPS: Use dollar store fingernail polish. Tons of finishes including metals, pearlescent and glossy top coats – brushes included! If spray paint is desired, try using Design Master paint- dries quickly Gold/Bronze/Silver leaf can be used (13.98 at Ben Franklin) Touch ups with Metal colored paint pens work great Tweezers, toothpicks, magnifying glasses help with small delicate details

COMPLETING BOTANICAL JEWELRY The Flower Show Committee will provide you with stand for earrings, tie tack and necklace exhibits so you can work on your project knowing how it will fit and be displayed. You will need a 3x5” card (or larger if needed) to display your plant materials before they have been cut, painted, drilled, etc. Glue them to card and list the Genus and species of materials used. *I’ll help you with names if you tell me raw materials used!

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