I have a really simple and beautiful project for you today! I am showing you how to make plaster roses that are perfect for your indoor or outdoor decor. These beauties add a vintage feel to any area of your home!
It’s no secret that I love using vintage items in my decor. The real deal is my absolute favorite! But I am always on the look out for craft projects that look aged so that I can mix them in with my actual vintage items. In the video below I am showing you how to make plaster roses and these flowers really lend that aged look to our displays. They are easy to make and beautiful to display!
How to Make Plaster Roses
I won’t lie to you, these plaster roses are little messy to make. But the mess stays contained to a very small area so I don’t want it to deter you! A protective layer on your work surface and some gloves are all you need to keep the mess under control.
And the results are so fabulous, I never mind playing with a little mortar! I show you how it’s done in the video below. And I also added in the step by step instructions for you. As well as some tips and tricks I learned along the way so you don’t have to make the same goofs I did.
And wait, there’s more! There is also a cute little bonus tutorial. I teach you how to make Spanish moss nests that add so much cute to your spring and year round decor!
Plaster Rose Supply List
- Faux roses
- 1 cup white mortar mix
- 1/2 cup water
- Protective gloves
- Large chip brush
Plaster Rose Instructions
- Add your mortar mix and water in a container and mix well to combine.
- Then use the chip brush to work the plaster over the rose, making sure to work it into each part of the flower. I use my gloved finger to push the mortar down into all the nooks and crannies.
- Once the rose is covered, hang it to dry.
Plaster Roses Tips and Tricks
When I first tried this project I wanted to cover the whole flower with mortar. I coated the stem and leaves but once the mortar cured, it just flaked off. The plastic in those parts just repels the mortar. You can paint the leaves and stem a color that is similar to your mortar.
But that can be tricky too since a matte finished paint that will match the mortar may also be repelled by the plastic. What I have started doing is just cutting those pieces off and sticking with the bloom itself.
You can use any color of rose that you have on hand. But if you are going out to buy them, I would choose lighter colored blooms. It can be hard to cover all of the color of a dark rose with the mortar.
As you will see in the video, I used red. There were spots here and there where the color came through. So I just covered those spots with paint. But if you have a choice, it is easier to just start with light roses.
My last tip to share is that it is best to do your clean up outside. The mortar can easily damage your drains, even when diluted by water. So I take any tools I use outside and shoot them with the garden hose. The clean up really isn’t bad. Especially if you get to it right away.
How to Dry your Plaster Roses
You can dry your roses any way that works best for you. But I will share the way I do it with you because I think it works well. I just take a bucket and line it with a bag. Then I lay a dowel across the rim of the bucket.
Next, tie a piece of string to the stem of the flower. I like to find a little leaf node to hang my string around. Finally, tie the other side of the string to the dowel and let your plaster rose hang down into the lined bucket.
Bonus Tutorial: Spanish Moss Nests Supply List
- Aluminum foil
- Spanish Moss
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
Spanish Moss Nests Instructions
- Take a piece foil larger than you want your nest. Fold it in half and then start to form the shape of nest.
- Then pull apart small sections of the Spanish moss and hot glue them to your foil. Work your way around the top and bottom of the nest adding more moss where you need it. Use your scissors to trim any spots you need to as you go.
- Next you can add any other fun things to your nest base that you want to! Twigs, string, you name it. Anything you want to get your nest ready for decorating or display. I added some vintage pearls to mine and loved the way it looked!
The Wrap Up
And that’s it, friends! Two fun projects for you to try. I really love the way the roses turned out. And I keep mine the mortar shade because that’s what I love. But you can do anything with your flowers! You can paint them any color you like once the mortar is cured. And you can do this with many different types of flowers! Have fun playing around with different ideas and see what you like best.
And one of my favorite things about these plaster roses is that you can use them outside as well as in! I love using mine outdoors most of the year. I do bring them in for the winter. But as long as the container you have them in is waterproof, you can definitely display them outside!
I hope you love these projects as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!
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