To make a forever rose, you pipe dots and fine lines of clear-drying glue across an artificial rose, let them turn tacky, then dip each section into crystal dust so the petals sparkle like frost and dew. In this tutorial we embellish a red rose with Preciosa Crystal Faerie in Unicorn Tears, genuine Czech-made crystal in ultra-fine dust form.
Displayed under a glass dome, the finished rose is a beautiful nod to the famous enchanted rose of fairytale fame, and it makes a wonderful anniversary, Valentine's or wedding keepsake. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner, no special skills needed
- Time: Under an hour, plus drying time
- Crystals used: Preciosa Crystal Faerie in Unicorn Tears
- Technique: Glue dot and dip with crystal dust
What you'll need
One 10g bottle covers a full rose with plenty left over. Add the crystal dust, glue and tray to your cart from the cards below. The syringe and tray are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Your artificial red roseSilk or foam both work; ours came on a long stem1
- Preciosa Crystal Faerie, Unicorn Tears 10gThe crystal dust sparkle1 bottle
- Supertite Fusion Tack Glue Kit (glue, syringe and precision tips)Bonding the dust, dries clear1
- Magic Sorting TrayHolding the dust for dipping1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
£7.99 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to make a forever rose
Step 1: Gather your supplies and fill the syringe
Remove the plunger from the back of the syringe and slowly squeeze in the glue so it runs gently down one side without reaching the opening at the far end, letting air escape as you fill. Reinsert the plunger carefully; you will feel resistance because the seal needs to be airtight, and you will hear it pop into place when it is properly seated. Only take as much glue as you need.
Step 2: Remove air bubbles
Hold the syringe vertically so the glue slides away from the opening, then gently push the plunger until only glue remains inside. Attach a precision needle tip, we used the pale pink tips for the finest control, and the syringe is ready.
Step 3: Apply the glue
Squeeze out small glue dots along the petals and leaves wherever you want sparkle. Pipe thin lines along the top tips of the petals for a frosty look, and place dots towards the lower sides of the petals as dew drops. Mixing dots and lines, with slightly more glue on the higher surfaces where frost and dew would naturally settle, gives the most organic finish.
Step 4: Prep the crystal dust for dipping
Let the rose rest for a few minutes so the glue turns tacky. If the glue is too fresh the dust will not stick evenly and can clump. While you wait, fill the Magic Sorting Tray with the Crystal Faerie dust ready for dipping.
Step 5: Dip the rose
Carefully dip each glued section into the tray of crystal dust, working from the stem up: lower leaves first, petals last. For tight, enclosed spaces between the petals, sprinkle dust from the corner of the tray into the gaps so it falls onto the glue, then turn the rose upside down and shake gently so the excess falls back into the tray.
Step 6: Leave to dry
Stand the rose upright to dry, we placed the stem in a tall cup. You will know it is fully dry when no white glue is visible, because Fusion Tack dries completely clear as well as waterproof.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a forever rose?
Pipe small dots and fine lines of clear-drying glue across the petals and leaves of an artificial rose, let the glue turn tacky for a few minutes, then dip each section into crystal dust. Work from the stem up, leave the rose to dry upright, and display it under a glass dome for the full fairytale look.
What is Preciosa Crystal Faerie?
Crystal Faerie is genuine Czech-made Preciosa crystal in an ultra-fine dust form. It catches the light far more brilliantly than ordinary craft glitter because each particle is precision-cut crystal, and one 10g bottle is enough to cover a full rose with plenty to spare.
What glue works best on an artificial rose?
A clear-drying, waterproof glue such as Supertite Fusion Tack. Applied through a syringe with a fine precision tip, it lets you place tiny dots and lines exactly where you want the sparkle, and once dry it disappears completely so only the crystal shows.
How do you get crystal dust between the petals?
Tight, enclosed spaces are hard to reach with the dipping method, so sprinkle the dust from the corner of your sorting tray directly into the gaps and let it fall onto the glue. Then turn the rose upside down and give it a gentle shake so the excess falls back into the tray for reuse.
How should you display a forever rose?
Let it dry standing upright first, with the stem in a tall cup. Once dry, a glass dome is the classic display: it completes the enchanted rose look from the fairytale and keeps the crystals dust-free, although the finish is waterproof and sturdy enough to display in a vase too.
Make it your own
Unicorn Tears gives a classic icy sparkle, but the dust comes in plenty of shades, so try gold tones for autumn or pastels for spring. For more Crystal Faerie and home decor makes, see our Faerie nail art project, learn how to bedazzle a glass vase, try the wire heart decoration, or explore the full Craft Studio.
