Dandelions are beautiful and symbolize so many things in nature. They represent emotional healing, fulfilled wishes and overcoming obstacles in life. To me, it’s a beautiful reminder of how far we have come and where we are headed.

The Dandelion flower’s message is do not give up, even if those around you keep trying to get rid of you. Stick it out and remember the cheerfulness of a sunny summer’s day when things seem bleak or dark.

I’ve always loved the idea of picking up a beautiful, wispy flower, making a wish and blowing…hoping that wish comes true!  Learning more about the dandelion makes me appreciate it even more.  It means strength, persistence, beauty and energy. It also symbolizes the start of Summer. So with that in mind, I’d like to capture the beautiful dandelion to remind me of all that it means…all year round. So I decided to make these beautiful Dandelion Paperweights, but really you could do this same method with any flower that is your favorite and symbolic to YOU. Here is how to get started.

You Will Need:

• Craft clear poly resin
• Resin accelerant
• Real or fake dandelions
• Scissors
• Resin paperweight molds
• Canola oil spray (like Pam)
• Blue painters’ tape
• Plastic cup
• Stir stick (I used disposable chop sticks)
• Wire cutter
• Sand paper (optional)

How-To:

1. Follow the directions on your clear poly resin. Each manufacturer has a different way of mixing their resin, so plan accordingly.

2. Mix your resin and accelerator in a plastic cup for about 2 minutes to make sure it is well circulated.

3. Take spray canola oil and lightly spray your molds. Use a paper towel to dry up if necessary.

4. Fill your mold with your resin about 2/3 of the way up.

5. Gently press in your dandelion, making sure that it is straight up out of the resin. To help this process, you can use painter’s tape and chopsticks to hold it up.

6. Continue this process with all molds that you have. The drying time varies according to how big your mold is. Mine took about 24 hours to dry completely.

7. Once dried completely, gently pull your paperweight out of the mold. It should release easily if it has hardened completely. If you are having trouble, then it’s not quite ready to come out.

8. Cut off any area that is outside the resin. Since I used artificial dandelions, they tend to be larger than real ones, so I had to cut a bit of mine off to make that part of the surface flat.

9. Turn it over, use sand paper to make any part smooth.

10. Set it on some papers and enjoy your paperweight!

This DIY is perfect addition to your office decor and is even a great DIY gift idea. For more  DIY inspiration make sure you visit us at Home & Family and share with us all of your crafts and DIYs on Instagram and Twitter @paigehemmis