How to Make Easy Wax Covered Leaves

2 Materials
$2
30 Minutes
Easy

I think everyone would agree that Fall is a beautiful season. The changing colours of leaves before they fall is a wonderful sight, but due to the nature of the process the leaves are undergoing, it is difficult to preserve them in all their glory. One method is to press autumn leaves, today we are exploring another really simple one – preserving them in wax.

Start by collecting some Fall leaves


What you need to preserve leaves in wax


This really is a fun and simple way to preserve leaves.


As well as collecting your leaves you will need some wax, a container to melt it in, and somewhere to hang your leaves to allow them to dry.

Quickly dip in melted wax


We melted our wax in a double boiler, you could also do this in a bowl over simmering water. Please ensure you do this safely, bearing in mind that wax ignites easily!


It is important to note that it is not safe to melt wax in a microwave or leave melting wax unattended.

Hang wax dipped leaves to dry


We found dipping our leaves quickly into the hot wax avoided them wilting, and allowed us to capture their beauty at that particular moment in time.


The wax only takes a few minutes to set on the leaves, but during this time it will leave marks if they touch anything, so we devised a drying frame to leave ours to dry in safely.

Use to decorate for Fall


Once you leaves have dried you can use them in your Fall decorations

The wax gives the leaves a beautiful sheen and will stop the leaves drying out and wrinkling

Please note the wax forms a coat over the leaves which will crack if handled roughly. Therefore wax preserved leaves are best used in crafts and decor where they are admired rather than handled.


Try using them on Tablescapes or hung on thread so they can catch the light.

For more leaf inspired craft, check out How to make beautiful air dried clay leaves

And How to Decoupage with Fall leaves.

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