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There are few things more beautiful than a dandelion paperweight! When spring arrives, you will start to see dandelions popping up all over the place.
Soon they will flower and you will see a bunch of white fluffy heads instead of the pretty yellow flowers. That is the telltale sign that spring has finally sprung!
As a child, you probably blew these puffy heads and made a wish. It’s pretty common to wish upon a dandelion as a youngster. Can you remember things you wished for?
Of all the flowers, few bring back as many childhood nostalgic feelings as the dandelion. No matter where you grew up or what kind of life you had, most of us remember them.
You can capture one and preserve it for all eternity by following the tutorial I am sharing with you today. It’s like storing all those memories and childhood fun in a dandelion globe the size of your palm.
The globe is something that speaks to your youth but it’s also an incredible little craft.
Dandelions for Survival Food
Before we show you how to do this cool craft, let’s learn a little more about why preppers should care about the dandelion. First, did you know that dandelions are a great plant to have around in a survival situation?
The dandelion is a powerhouse in the survival world. It’s a wild edible and the leaves are even sold at the supermarket in spring! Another great little secret about the dandelion is that the tuber roots can be eaten.
You can make a salad from them by stripping the stems and using them as the base. But you don’t have to waste the other parts because they have uses as well.
Clean them and strip them, too. Then you can chop them into smaller pieces and use them as roughage. You can leave the flowers whole or cut them into smaller pieces. Add oil and vinegar, some pepper, and salt, and your salad is complete!
You can even use them to make a stir-fry. All you need is a frying pan and a campfire. Clean them, shop them, add some green onion if you have it, and cook it all over your fire (with some oil).
You can also make dandelion soup! Pretty much any leftovers you have can go in the pot, along with your freshly picked dandelions. Strip the greens and chop the roots into sections before adding them to the pot.
In fact, if you roast them well and grind them up, they can be made into a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Then there is also dandelion tea. Now that is survival power!
Last but not least, my favorite way to prepare them is survival dandelion bread. Serve with dandelion jelly and a glass of nice dandelion wine.
Now that you know how to use them as food, let’s take a look at that project idea that includes flowers in resin.
Dandelions vs Wild Lettuce
Make sure you’re foraging for real dandelions, not look-alikes like wild lettuce.
Wild lettuce has its own beneficial properties (like as a narcotic and pain reliever), but has a much more bitter taste and is not as nutritionally beneficial as dandelion.
Learn to recognize the differences between dandelions and wild lettuce.
Dandelion Paperweights
If you’re looking for a great gift idea or a way to earn some extra money on the side, this might be just the ticket.
Seriously, even if you’ve never considered yourself the “crafty” type, this is a good idea. It’s not that hard to learn how to do it; it’s just flowers in resin.
People who have experience with building and assembling things for a prepper situation can definitely learn how to build these dandelion paperweights on their own.
It may take a little practice, but you can surely get it. DIY paperweights are a fun project and a great gift idea. If you can learn how to make them yourself, there are so many great things you can do with them.
It can also be an awesome source of extra income for you and your family. Think about how that extra cash could help you prep, too.
These actually sell for $35-$80 bucks so if you get good at it, you could sell some for extra income or make them for presents. They truly are amazingly beautiful.
If you are not into crafts, or would rather just buy them, there are some for sale on Etsy and Amazon.
Dandelion Paperweight – Made from a Real Dandelion (Full Sphere)
How To Make A Beautiful Dandelion Paperweight
Now let’s talk about how to actually make the dandelion paperweight. You never know where a skill like how to make a paperweight from resin could take you. It could be a business in the making.
First, you need to buy a vending capsule from a vending machine. These are usually easy to find in supermarkets, malls, and other public places. If you start making a lot of these to sell, you can buy them in bulk from a supply company instead.
Next, you need to get your dandelion before it puffs. Pick it gently; it will still be closed. Next, wait 1-2 days and wait for it to explode open.
All of the seeds will puff out, and you’ll get that classic white look of the dandelion before it turns into the yellow flower we all know. This is what will be preserved in the resin.
You’re also going to need resin and a catalyst. You can buy these for your dandelion paperweight while you’re waiting for it to “explode.”
Many people like to use a wooden clothespin to hold the dandelion so they don’t lose the puffy seeds.
Now you’ll need to follow the instructions for your resin to open it and cast your dandelion correctly. Then pour your resin and your catalyst into the vending capsule. Wear gloves, and be careful not to spill the resin anywhere.
Setting the Dandelion Paperweight
Next, you need to carefully press the dandelion into the resin inside the capsule. Leave it there until the liquid hardens inside. If in doubt, leave it longer!
Now, when you are certain it has hardened, you can just pop it out of the vending capsule. Sometimes the capsules break in the process. It’s no big deal since they are cheap and you can get more if you need to make more paperweights.
Now you’re left with a beautiful, unique dandelion globe! Since every flower is different, each dandelion paperweight you make will be unique. This is part of the beauty of it all and another reason people love to buy handmade items.
If you get great at making them, you may decide you want to do more and sell them, as we mentioned above.
Making Extra Money with Your Dandelion Paperweights
Why would a prepper want to bother with making and selling a craft like this?
Well, there are a lot of reasons, one of which is just because you enjoy it. But it’s also a great way to make side money that you can use for more prepping.
Don’t forget, side income means more money for preps. That means a better and more prepared future for you and your family.
Above all, this is just a really beautiful dandelion DIY craft, and it’s a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
