Shari of Heavenly Country Scents asked me for some tips on making SoapPetals. Since I had planned to make some on the weekend anyway, I told her I'd take some pictures and put together a webpage. 
Lots of pictures, so be patient while they load. 
Feel free to email me if you have any other questions not covered here.

First, assemble everything you'll need:
bulletSilk rose petals and leaves
bulletclear M&P base in a large Pyrex measure
bulletFragrance oil (I use 2 parts Rose, 1 part Violet)
bulletLarge Spoon
bulletChopsticks (you can also use long tweezers)
bulletwire racks with wax or parchment paper underneath
bulletpot large enough to hold pyrex measure

I find about 9.5 ounces of base is enough to do 300 petals and fifty or so leaves. I melt the base in the microwave - while it's melting, I put about 3 inches of water in the pot on the stove and bring it to a simmer.
Add FO to melted base, stir well. During the holidays, I add a little gold mica and dip holly leaves. A silver or gold mica might look nice if you have a dark red rose petal.
Place Pyrex measure of melted base into pot of water (basically creating a double boiler of sorts) - turn heat to low. Be sure the water level is well above the level of soap - this helps keep the soap from forming a skin so quickly. Add petals and stir well to coat with soap. I do more than one color at once, but make sure your petals don't bleed - the darker colors sometimes do. Leave the spoon in the measure. You can add a couple handfuls of petals at a time. 

If at all possible, you want to work right next to the stove, so you can keep your base warm in the double boiler while dipping.
Using chopsticks (or long tweezers, if you can locate them - I haven't had much luck) remove a petal from melted base, allowing as much soap to run off as possible.

Slip with chopsticks, dropping petal back into melted soap. Swear creatively, then notice your three year old standing nearby watching you. Deny all knowledge when she says "$hit" on the phone to your mother-in-law. "Really, Mom, I have no idea. Maybe she heard Bill when he was working on the car..."

If nothing else, this will improve your skill with chopsticks. 
Scrape the petal against the spoon handle (see, I told you to leave it there for a reason!) to get off even more soap. The more you get off, the less problem you'll have with drips and flat spots. Sometimes two petals will nest together - I just peel them apart with my fingers before they cool. It's not that hot, really. If you find them after they have cooled, toss 'em back in the soap. And don't forget to peel them apart next time.

As you work, you'll get a build up of soap sludge on the chopsticks and spoon handle. I just scrape the chopsticks against the top of the glass measure and let the sludge fall into the soap to melt again. 
I find laying the petals with the cup side down gives less flat spots. By the time I've filled both wire racks with dipped petals, the first rack is usually cool enough to put into a zip lock bag. Of course, if you have an abundance of wire racks and counter space, you can just move these racks aside and keep going. If you do have that much counter space, I hate you. Just kidding! I am a little envious, though. 

Some flat spots are inevitable. if you find a long dangly drippy, just scrape it off with your thumbnail and toss it back in the soap. 

When you take a break from dipping to clear some space on the racks, make sure to cover the measuring cup with a piece of plastic wrap.  This helps keep the heat in and prevent a skin from forming on top of the melted soap. The heat will also melt off the cooled soap sludge from the spoon handle and chopsticks. 
Packaging: I offer my petals in a jar that holds nearly 50, or in cello packs of 20. I use a foldover card for the bags and staple it on, after folding down the cello bag once or twice. Include directions so that people know it's soap, and to throw the petal away after use, not let it go down the drain and clog the sink. I know it seems obvious, but, I don't need someone sending me a plumber's bill 'cause they didn't realize....

If you have any questions not covered here, feel free to email me. 

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