Creating Japanese Herbarium Bottles: A Beautiful Blend of Ancient Art and Modern Craft

A lovely activity and creation that I truly admire are Japanese Herbarium Bottles. They’re a more modern take on the ancient tradition of botanical preservation. The concept of this craft is deeply rooted in Ohsibana, which dates back centuries, and is the art of using pressed flowers and foliage to create compositions. They could  be anything from landscapes to portraits.

I so potently love artistic practices that blend the modern with the traditional, and center around nature. Bringing nature into our homes and spaces is a wonderful way to stay grounded and connected to the Earth. There is something so nourishing about it for our nervous systems and our souls. 

This activity is quite simple, which is also adds to its appealing nature. It’s a great activity to do with loved ones!

Materials you will need: 

• Clear glass bottles that seal

• Well-dried or preserved flowers

• Baby oil/mineral oil

• Tweezers or scissors to arrange flowers

• Optional: hot glue/candle wax for an extra seal

Steps:

1. Prepare your jar. Make sure your glass bottle is clean and completely dry. The dryness prevents any mold from forming.

2. Style the flowers. Put the dried flowers into the bottle. You can use the tweezers to arrange them, so they lay in whatever way you find beautiful. Placing more heavy or sturdy pieces at the bottom first is helpful. The more packed the bottle is, the less likely that the flowers will float to the top.

3. Slowly pour in the oil. If you tip the bottle slightly while pouring, it can sometimes help the flowers to not move around so much. Make sure the oil is below the rim so there’s a little breathing room.

4. Any extra tweaks. If you wish to change any of the placements, and you don’t mind some mess, you can adjust any of the flowers with your tweezers again.

5. Seal and finish! If you’re using a cork, you can choose to melt candle wax around the top to create a better seal. If your bottle has a screw on lid, you can use hot glue if you wish to also create more of a seal. 

6. P.S. If you don’t want the flowers to fade, it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight.

Use it to adorn your space, gift it someone special, and enjoy the beauty you just created. Happy crafting!