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• Suitable container
• Floral foam:
Wet (green in colour) is for fresh flowers
Dry (grey in colour) is for silk or dried flowers
• Anchor tape – used for securing the foam to the container.
• Plastic frogs – another option for securing foam in the container.
• Floral fix – a putty like substance for securing sundries such as candles, frogs, ornaments etc.
• Reindeer moss – a soft natural moss available in a range of colours used to conceal the foam. Alternatively you could use Sisal which is a string like medium used for the same purpose, also available in a range of colourways.
• Florist wire – used for extending silk or dried stems and can be trimmed to length.
• Stem tape – used to wrap the wires as above to look like a natural stem.
• Stay soft – this is similar to plasticine in texture and is used to add weight to arrangement bases. As it is flexible it can be used for filling small gaps. It is reuseable so is useful for beginners.
• Dry hard - an air drying clay that dries hard and is used for adding weight. It is useful when making topiary trees as it will not expand when it dries and crack the pot.

Optional extras

• Aluminium wire – this can be twisted into loops to fill space in your design.
• Bullion wire – a thinner wire which is slightly crinkled, used in the same way as aluminium wire.
• Beads – these can be threaded into wires and used in your design.
• Skeleton leaves – these can be wired either individually or together to enhance your arrangement.

Tools

• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Knife
• Glue gun & glue sticks

Always take time in getting the mechanics of your arrangement stable. Ensure that the foam is anchored correctly before adding your design.

Choose moss or sisal to blend with your colour scheme and / or container.

Use your space wisely - make sure each flower can be easily seen.

Make sure that each flower head in your design is facing a different way.

Don't be afraid to cut stems really short, even removing them altogether for some designs.

Never let wet foam dry out. It will not hold water a second time once it has dried.

Select a shallow bowl like container. Use floral fix to attach a plastic frog to the container.

Cut a square of floral foam and fix it securely onto the plastic frog.

Place three straight poker like flowers such as bull rushes in the foam. Recess three large flower heads into the foam – gerberas or camellias are good for this.

Add five medium sized straight leaves, two at the back and two at the front so that they flow over the empty part of the container.

Raffia – available in a range of colours, adds a rustic natural look to an arrangement. It can be made into bows and woven around handles.

Curling ribbon – this is a thin pre-cut ribbon used for small bows and wrapping. It can be curled with a scissor blade to produce streamers.

Tearing ribbon – this is a wider width version of curling ribbon and can be reduced to thin streamers by tearing or curled and made into large bows. It is especially useful for outdoor events as it is water resistant and colour fast.

Fabric & wired ribbon – this can be used for all of the above but cannot be curled.

Other materials - such as feathers, skeleton leaves etc can be added according to the occasion and who the design is for.

For any occasion:

Conical arrangement
Table decoration
Bouquet
Vase of flowers

For weddings:

Bridal bouquets
Corsages
Bridesmaids posy
Buttonholes
Chair back decorations
Pew ends
Table centrepieces
Top table garlands
Candle holders

The information contained within this craft technique sheet is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed. Product quantities and selections may vary at each HobbyCraft Superstore. Products are subject to availability and not all ranges are available in all stores. Before making a special journey please contact the store direct to check that they have your required product in stock. HobbyCraft Group Ltd disclaims all liability from any injury to anyone using this craft technique as a result of improper safety precautions. Since we have no control over physical conditions surrounding the application of the information herein contained, HobbyCraft Group Ltd disclaims any liability for untoward results.