How to Make Flower Pens

This simple little craft has been around for years, and you may have even seen these flower-topped pens on the counter in some stores. So this post isn’t so much about sharing a craft project, as it is a reminder of a simple inexpensive DIY gift, maybe for Moms or Grandmas, or a friend or teacher. However, if you need them, there are directions at the end of this post.

One of my granddaughters made these rose pens with the blue pot for me years ago when her and her sister came to visit for a couple of weeks. It matched perfectly when I had a desk in my bedroom with my predominantly blue and red quilted bedspread, but recently has been sitting near my desk in my little office. These roses are so pretty and look to have little water droplets on some of the flower petals.

Retail Therapy

I am once again still trying to declutter more stuff. One of the drawbacks of traveling and working across the country is the retail therapy sometimes required to kill some time while Hubby worked 12 hour shifts and drove 30 – 45 minutes each way six and seven days a week. Luckily my stores of choice were thrift stores. Every once in awhile I would find something cool or unique that I wanted to have. One such purchase was a pair of the white ceramic jars, similar to these. I used one in the kitchen, but just couldn’t find a happy home for the other, so I have been shuffling it around to various spots to find a place for it, to no avail.

I just couldn’t bring myself to dispose of it. It racked up a lot of distance being carried around room to room, and back and forth to the donation box. The pain of decluttering is real, I assure you. It had no sentimental value, but I love it and it made me smile.

Marie Kondo, what do you have to say about that?

Farmhouse Style

So anyway, I was sitting here the other day just typing away, and when I glanced up I saw that empty ceramic jar sitting on the counter in the kitchen, seen just over the top of the blue pot of red roses sitting near my desk, and I thought “lo and behold” these rose pens would look beautiful in that white jar! Since I am digging the farmhouse style these days, I decided to try it out and I love it!

How to Make Flower-topped Pens

These are so easy to make, only requiring a few Bic pens, a roll of dark green or black electrical tape or duct tape, a few larger silk flowers (this pot has 9 roses, but any 2′- 3″ silk flowers would work), a bag of dark colored beans and a pretty pot or container to put everything in.

See the pen in the first photo for flower stem placement example.

• Move the leaves up to the rose or other flower, then cut the stem off at about 3 inches, leaving the flower heads and leaves on the stems. Wire cutters work great, but if using pliers, just clamp down where you want to “cut” and bend the stem back and forth till the wire breaks. It’s helpful to remove the flower head and add a drop of hot glue and replacing the flower so it won’t fall off while using.
• With electrical tape: first put a small piece of tape around the top of the pen to hold the flower stem right at the top of the pen. Start at the bottom of the tube of the pen, and start wrapping firmly at a slight angle towards the top of the pen. Wrap tightly at the top a couple of times before cutting the tape roll off.
• WIth duct tape: cut a piece of tape the length of the pen tube. Lay the pen along one long edge. Roll the pen into the tape until just before it meets the outer edge of the tape. Place the flower stem against the pen, then continue rolling firmly, smoothing bubbles out if necessary.
• Prepare the pot: If the pot has a drainage hole, put a piece of tape (or two) over the hole in the inside. Pour the beans into the pot, keeping then a couple of inches below the top of the pot.
• Stick the finished pens into the beans.

Voila! A beautiful pot of flowers for yourself, or as a gift. This would be a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day or a birthdays!

Have fun!