Everlasting. Ever beautiful. Sola wood flowers are gaining a steady following over the years, and it’s easy to see why many crafters are falling in love with it. But beautiful things also need special care and attention to make it look that way for longer. 

We noticed that there isn’t much information out there about how to keep them looking good as new. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide so your blossoms can stay pretty and in great condition forever.

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Storage

These pretty buds, though they can last forever, are still organic products. They are porous materials that molds can live in when exposed to moisture, and exposing them to direct heat can be just as bad. So, it’s important that you know how to store them properly.

What to do:

• Keep your flowers in a breathable container that promotes good airflow. Using mesh or muslin bags is a great idea. Place a handful of flowers in each bag and you can prevent both mold and squishing from happening.

 

• If you have to use cubby hole organizers and plastic storage bins, put a packet of silica gel to keep the moisture out and store in a cool, dry area in your home or workshop.
• Make sure they are completely dry before storing them to prevent molds from growing. Dip-dyed flowers would usually take about 24 hours to air dry, maybe more for flowers that are denser. On the other hand, spray painted flowers dry quickly so you can store those right away.
• Don’t put too many sola flowers in one container as they can get squished very quickly. 

Painting, Scenting, and Handling

Be gentle when handling your sola wood flowers. As they get wet, their petals become more and more delicate to the touch, so when you work on them, try not to get too rough. 

What to do:

• When dyeing, add a small amount of Sola Softener to your color mixture. This keeps your flowers soft and pliable and prevents them from getting brittle. Just a quick dip will do, no need to soak the flowers for longer than a few seconds.

• Make sure you shake off any excess paint from the sola flowers.
• When hand painting, use soft, unhurried strokes and try not to tug on the petals too much or they might tear.
• Use clear acrylic coating to get a nice, glossy seal for added moisture and protection. If used after painting, be sure that the flowers are completely dry before applying.

• Never use superglue with your sola wood flowers. Instead, use floral wire, hot glue, or craft adhesives when stemming or for any other projects.
• If your flowers got squished during transit, simply spritz a little bit of water and wait until it gets soaked so you can reshape them. Easy peasy.

Displaying

There are a few simple things you can do to maintain sola flowers’ shape, color, and texture. And luckily, it’s not too hard to do, too.

What to do:

• Keep your flowers away from direct sunlight and humid rooms. 
• For bouquets, especially for round and posy shaped ones, do not lay them flat on the table for a long time as it can squish the flowers under it. A display case is the best option to preserve its shape.
• Place a small packet of silica gel with the flowers before framing them to prevent moisture from forming inside the container. 
• Do a weekly dusting on your centerpieces and sola flower decor. Since sola wood flowers are porous, they can accumulate dust quite easily especially if they’re dyed.

We hope we were able to give you a few quick tips to take better care of your sola wood flowers. How do you take care of yours? Share your best kept secrets in the Sola Wood Flowers Official Facebook page. And if you know someone new to crafting with sola wood, help a fellow crafter out by sharing this article with them. 

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