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Floral Kissing Balls

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-910 -- More Projects »
PHOTO
Floral designer Ardith Beveridge demonstrates how to make floral kissing balls.

Materials:

fresh foam spheres (can only be used once)
plastic foam spheres
bowl to soak foam
#24 to #18 chicken wire (optional)
floral tape, 1 to 6"
ribbon (4 yds. of #3 or smaller)
pomander ball
kissing ball
drinking straw
scissors
fresh flowers of choice
preservative water
wooden stems
wide-mouthed vase
cowee pick
plastic foam

Steps:

PHOTO

Figure A

  1. Soak the fresh spheres in water. Break up and use as a fertilizer after the one use. Wrap chicken wire around the sphere to make yourself a grid if you desire (figure A).

  2. Anchor tape around the ball as a grid. This will hold the ball in place as you add heavy flowers.
PHOTO

Figure B
  • When making a kissing ball, add your hanging ribbon first (figure B).

  • Put a straw through the center of the sphere. Cut the straw to 1/4 inch on each end of sphere.
    • PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Cut 1-1/2 yards of ribbon (find the center). Wrap hairpin wire around center of ribbon and pull through (figure C). This keeps the ribbon dry). Tie a knot on top of the straw and one on the bottom.

  • Crisscross two wooden stems on the bottom of the straw and tie with ribbon. Cut off the excess ribbon.

  • While working on the ball, insert a stick into foam, then rest on top of a wide-mouthed vase.
    • PHOTO

    Figure D
    PHOTO

    Figure E
  • Place flowers in sphere at desired places so that the flower back is touching the wet foam (figure D).

  • Make garland loops with remaining ribbon (figure E). Tie on to cowee pick, and cover the mechanics with floral tape.

    Tips


    • Stems need to be about 1-1/2 inches long.

    • If a flower stem breaks, insert a toothpick into the head of the flower. Make a hole with a stick, then insert the flower stem to prevent the stems from breaking.
    • Resources
    Designing With Fresh Flowers
    This is one in a 12-volume series of videotapes.
    Floral Communications Group, Inc.
    13200 Lincoln St., N.E.
    Minneapolis, MN 55434
    Toll-free: 888-757-5776
    Website: www.floralcommunications.com
    Guests
    Ardith Beveridge
    Floral Designer and Teacher / Director, Koehler & Dramm
    Minneapolis, MN
    Phone: 612-362-3102
    E-mail: Abeveridge@koehlerdramm.com
    Website: www.koehlerdramm.com
    Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-910
    •Floral Kissing Balls
    •Reuse, Recycle, Renew
    •Waffles Many Ways
    •Tip of the Day
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