Preserve leaves with glycerin.
Craft enthusiasts employ various methods when drying fresh-cut flowers for craft projects. When drying leaves using some methods, such as air-drying or submerging in a desiccant, leaves typically become withered and brittle. Instead of drying leaves, use glycerin to preserve the greenery, creating soft, pliable, life-like leaves, suitable for craft projects. When making glycerin leaves, the leaves remain on the stems or branches. Glycerin is a natural byproduct of soap making, used in many products, such as cosmetics, candy making, and synthetic resins. Look for glycerin at craft stores, on-line, in baking specialty shops or pharmacies.
Instructions
1. Schedule the cutting of stems with leaves for the early morning.
2. Cut the selected leaf-covered branch from the plant, making it 4 to 6 inches longer than the length desired for your craft project. Remove the leaves from the bottom 4 to 6 inches of the branch.
3. Lay the branch on a flat, solid surface and crush about 4 to 6 inches of the cut end by hitting repeatedly with a hammer.
4. Combine the glycerin and water in the saucepan with a candy thermometer and heat to 150 to 180 degrees F while stirring. Remove from the heat when it reaches the desired temperature. Continue to stir until the mixture is cooled to 100 degrees F. Use the thermometer to monitor the temperature.
5. Open or cut off the top of the plastic-coated milk carton and pour in the glycerin and water solution.
6. Place the branches into the solution, cut side down. If necessary, pour out a little of the solution, so that only the smashed portion of the branch is covered with the solution.
7. Allow the stems to soak for 2 to 6 weeks, adding water as necessary so that the smashed portion of the branch remains covered with the glycerin-water solution. You'll be able to see the slow movement of the glycerin through the leaves to determine when the process is complete. The leaves are ready when the mixture has moved completely through the leaves.
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