Blooming Monday: Part 2 - The Magic of Real Flowers in Resin

Happy Monday, everyone! It’s Katie here. I am so glad you’ve joined me for the second installment of our Blooming Monday series. If you missed our first chat, we started exploring the gentle world of floral-inspired jewelry, but today, things get a little more "real." We are diving deep into the heart of what I do here at Abood Elegant Journeys: capturing the fleeting, fragile beauty of actual flowers and preserving them forever in crystal-clear resin.

There is something almost sacred about a flower in full bloom. It’s a moment of perfection that nature offers us, only for it to fade a few days later. In my studio, I like to think I’m a bit of a time-traveler. By using real botanicals, I’m able to take that one specific Tuesday afternoon when the sunflowers were glowing or that quiet morning when the first blue blooms opened, and lock that feeling into a piece you can wear close to your heart.

The Soul of a Real Flower

When you look at a piece of jewelry containing a real flower, you aren't just looking at a pretty accessory. You are looking at a living story. Every petal has its own unique curve, every leaf has a slightly different shade of green, and no two pieces can ever be exactly the same. That’s the magic of working with Mother Nature: she never repeats herself.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of preservation. Growing up around the ranch and spending so much time outdoors, you learn to appreciate the seasons. You learn that beauty is often temporary. But with resin, we get to keep a little piece of that beauty for ourselves. Whether it’s a red rose resin hair barrette that reminds you of a wild garden or a delicate pendant, these pieces are heartfelt keepsakes of the natural world.

The Art of the Wait: From Garden to Studio

People often ask me how I get the flowers to look so vibrant inside the resin. The truth is, it’s a slow, deliberate process that requires a whole lot of patience. It’s not as simple as picking a flower and dropping it into the mix. If you did that, the moisture in the flower would cause it to turn brown and rot inside the resin: definitely not the "elegant journey" we’re looking for!

Instead, every bloom goes through a careful drying phase. I often use silica gel, which gently draws out the moisture over about six weeks while keeping the flower's shape and color intact. It’s a period of waiting and reflecting. I have to wait for the flower to be ready before I can even begin the artistic part of the process.

Once they are perfectly preserved and dry, the "magic" happens. I use a high-quality resin: measured precisely: to create a glossy, glass-like finish. It takes layers and time to ensure clarity and to make sure no tiny bubbles hide the detail of the petals. It’s a labor of love, but when I see a real flower resin necklace finally cured and shining, I know the wait was worth it.

A Golden Glow: The Sunflower Necklace

One of my absolute favorite pieces to create is the sunflower pendant. Sunflowers are such soulful plants; they literally turn their faces to follow the light. To me, they represent resilience and joy.

In our featured sunflower necklace, I’ve taken a real, bright yellow sunflower and set it against a deep, dark background. I love the contrast here: the way the yellow "pops" just like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds. It’s framed in a silver-toned metal that keeps it feeling modern yet grounded. When you wear this, you’re carrying a little bit of sunshine with you, no matter what the weather is doing outside. It’s lightweight, it’s vibrant, and it’s a true celebration of summer’s best work.

Vivid Energy: Magenta Flower Earrings

If the sunflower is about joy, then my magenta flower earrings are all about bold, feminine energy. There is a specific kind of magenta bloom I love to work with: the color is so deep and rich it almost looks painted, but it’s 100% natural.

I’ve found that these earrings become an instant conversation starter. They have a way of lighting up a person’s face. When I’m designing these, I think about the woman who isn't afraid to stand out, the one who finds beauty in the vibrant and the bold. Because they are real flowers, the magenta hues have these tiny, natural gradients that you just can't get with plastic or glass beads. They are "one-of-a-kind," just like the person wearing them. You can find similar nature-inspired beauty in our pressed flower teardrop earrings, which capture that same delicate botanical spirit.

Serenity in Blue: The Blue Bloom Rounds

On the other side of the color wheel, we have the blue bloom rounds. These pieces are for the moments when you need a little calm. Think of a clear sky or a still pond. The blue flowers I use are often tiny and delicate, arranged in a circular "round" design that feels balanced and peaceful.

There’s something so soothing about the color blue in nature. It’s a rare color for flowers, which makes these pieces feel even more special. When I look at the blue bloom rounds, I’m reminded of the quiet moments on the ranch, right as the sun is going down and the world starts to settle. It’s that feeling of peace that I try to pour into the resin along with the flowers.

Carrying the Journey with You

For me, jewelry has always been about more than just looking good. It’s about how it makes you feel. It’s about the connection to the earth and the stories we carry. When you wear a piece from the Abood Elegant Journeys collection, you’re wearing a piece of my world.

Whether I’m out on my horse or working in the studio, I’m always looking for inspiration in the rugged beauty of the landscape. This ranch lifestyle keeps me grounded, and I think that comes through in the jewelry. It’s not mass-produced in a factory; it’s handcrafted by someone who knows the name of the flower and where it grew.

If you’re looking for something that speaks to your heart, perhaps a purple pressed flower heart necklace is exactly what you need to feel that connection to the natural world.

Caring for Your Botanical Keepsakes

Because these pieces contain real organic material, they do like a little bit of tender loving care. Resin is tough and durable, but to keep your flowers looking as vibrant as the day they were "frozen" in time, I always recommend keeping them out of direct sunlight for extended periods when you aren't wearing them. Think of them like a delicate garden: they appreciate a cool, dry place to rest.

Also, a gentle wipe with a soft cloth is all they need to keep that glossy shine. Avoid harsh chemicals or perfumes directly on the resin, and your botanical treasure will stay beautiful for years to come.

A Moment of Reflection

As we wrap up this second part of our Blooming Monday journey, I want to invite you to take a second today to look at the nature around you. Maybe it’s a tiny weed growing through a crack in the sidewalk or a grand tree in your backyard. There is beauty everywhere if we just slow down enough to see it.

Preserving these flowers is my way of saying "thank you" to the earth for all the beauty it gives us. I feel so honored that I get to share these little pieces of nature with you. Each sunflower, each magenta petal, and each blue bloom is a reminder that even the smallest things can hold a whole lot of magic.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I can't wait to show you what we have in store for Part 3! Until then, I hope your week is as vibrant and beautiful as a garden in full bloom.

With love and gratitude,

Katie Owner/Operator, Abood Elegant Journeys

Explore the full Flower Collection here