How to Craft Victorian Rose Beads

Learn how to craft Victorian rose beads with real rose petals. These unique and beautiful rose beads are not only great for making jewelry, they also retain their rose scent. Which according to the history of the rose beads, can last years and even generations. Rose beads were actually invented hundreds of years before the Victorian era and were originally created for making rosary beads (hence, how the rosary got it's name). During the Victorian era, the rose beads became quite popular and were crafted into jewelry and were worn because of their beauty as well as a means to scent their clothing. Just follow the steps below to create these enchanting historical rose beads.

Materials:
dark red rose petals
blender
cast iron pot
water
rose oil
Styrofoam
tooth picks
soft cloth
jewelry elastic or jewelry wire
clasp

Tips: Dark red rose petals are recommended because they tend to be more fragrant, although you can use any fresh rose petals that you can acquire. Through the centuries the rose beads have been cooked in black cast iron pots, which give the rose beads a deep and almost black color. If you do not own a cast iron pot or skillet, an enamel pot will work. The enamel pot will make the beads a very deep red color. So you can choose the option that works best for you. Aluminum pots should not be used!

Directions:

You can use fresh rose petals from your garden or purchase them from a floral shop. You will need approximately, a grocery bag full of rose petals. This is enough to create 60 rose beads, which will make a long necklace. If you don't have access to that many roses or to save money, you can make a shorter necklace or a choker instead. Pluck the rose petals off of the rose as this is the only part you will need. Discard any rose petals that are unhealthy looking.

Place the rose petals into the blender to chop them into small pieces. If you don't have access to a blender you can snip the roses into small pieces (right into the pot) with a pair of garden snips. This will just take a little longer.

Now you will need to add water to the roses. For every cup of rose petals you use, you will need to add 1/4 cup of water. Place the burner on low (just enough to simmer the contents) and simmer for 1 hour. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool overnight.

The following day, simmer the rose petals for another hour, adding a little more water if needed. Again let the roses cool overnight. On the third day repeat the process one last time.

Let the pot of cooked petals sit for two or three days or until they are the consistency of wet clay.

Once the mixture is similar to wet clay, you can begin making the rose beads. Grab a pinch of the rose mixture and roll the mixture in your hands to form the shape of the rose beads. They should be about the size of a marble (as the beads dry, they will shrink to half that size!). Tip:To make your beads the same size every time, use a measuring spoon to measure the amount of mixture you use for each bead.

Set the beads on a tray lined with paper towels and let them dry for a day or two. They should be slightly firm. Now pierce the beads in the center with a tooth pick, all the way through the bead. Push the tooth picks with the beads on them, into a piece of Styrofoam. Allow the beads to dry, making sure to rotate them often. Allow them to dry for at least a week or until thoroughly dry.

Remove the beads and polish each of them with a soft cloth. String the rose beads onto your choice of necklace material.

Hints: To make your rose beads extra scented, add a drop of rose oil to your palms before rolling the rose beads. To add extra flair to your Victorian rose bead necklace you can add silver or gold beads in between the rose beads.

Care: Store your Victorian rose bead necklace in an air tight container when not in use. This will preserve the beads and the scent for a very, very long time!