Dried Flowers: How to Prepare Them
by By Whitlock, Sarah and Rankin, Martha
Category: Crafts & Hobbies , Flower Arranging

To make a beautiful arrangement of dried flowers, all you need to have are fresh flowers in various colors, forms and shapes; a selection of berries, seed pods, grasses, and foliage; and a knowledge of how to dry each plant item properly and efficiently. In a very short time, this book will teach you how to dry flowers by the hanging method and the surrounding and covering method, as well as giving you tips on storage, arranging flowers, and more.Within the past few years a great deal has been learned about dehydrating flowers so that effects are possible that our ancestors never dreamed of. The most sensational development has been the introduction of silica gel, the best of all materials now in use for drying flowers, and the authors give complete instructions on how to mix and use it. They also give instructions for using other mediums — meal and borax, perlite aggregate (crushed volcanic rock), and sand and borax — as well as using glycerin and water for drying foliage in three dimensions. This is probably the largest number of techniques ever given in a small volume.Also included are two valuable reference lists: a list of flowers arranged according to color, and a list of 48 flowers and 35 other plant items giving recommended method of drying and other useful information. Beginners will love this book and the way flowers look after being dried with modern techniques, while even experienced workers will find much helpful advice on specific flowers and methods.