Friday, March 27, 2009

Springtime Floral Hair Wreath


Having recently come into acquisition of a lovely, big bunch of flowers (.50 at David's aunts thrift shop!) I spent some time trying to decide where to put them, to get the best effect.

My time thusly spent failed. I like very clean, clear spaces and don't put up very much to occupy that space. The flowers just tended to look as if they suddenly were placed there, very rudely and they interrupted the clean, clear flow of the view, so dear to my heart.

I was inspired today to make a floral hair wreath. I've made these before (hasn't everyone?) out of dandilions, when I was little. My little childhood playmate, Ben, and I pretended all sorts of things with those dandilion wreaths. Most often, that he was the "king" and I was the "princess" (he seemed ghastly frightened of making me "queen" because then I would be his "wife".) We lived in a wonderful fort made in the boughs of a large, dense pine tree.

For this one (not made of dandilions), you will need the following:

Wire (left over from the Christmas wreaths)

Florists tape

Assorted flowers/leaves/vines, etc.

That's it!

Oh, and a pair of wire cutters is handy as well. Raid husbands tool box for wire cutters.

To begin with, decide how large you want your circlet of flowers to be. Make it a comfortable, rather loose measurement, for the flowers will take up some space and you want it to look draped and natural.

Wire together your wire strands to make desired length. Use florists tape and wrap tightly and securely. Try on for fit.
Now, the fun part begins! Cut your flowers into various lengths and begin to attach them to the wire circle by taping them on with florists tape. Lay the end of a wire of flowers against the circle. Tape to the circle, tightly and securely, as you wrapped the initial wire.

Don't wrap the flower up to the head of the flower, since that would make it look stiff. End your wrapping of the flower about 1/2" - 1" from the flower. Bend your flower out of the way and continue to wrap on the other side, adding blossoms and flowers as you go. Continue around the entire circle and securely tape off.

Arrange and bend your flowers to get the best, most natural appearance. Try on!

Wear to your next historical ball, or plan one to compliment your Easter frock. Or, if desired, make a floral wreath for no other reason than to pretend you are a Spring Fairy Maiden of the Forest. (although here in central IL our forests are rather non-existent. But there are two maple trees outside which make lovely pretend places. )

I think I'll be making another one of these this afternoon to add to my Etsy shop. I love these dear little purply-pink blooms too much to sell this one, but I have some pinker flowers I can bear to part with!
Love,
Sarah

8 comments:

  1. I love it! And thank you for the tutorial. My girls are flower girls in a wedding next month and this would be really cute for them! The one you made is really pretty!

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  2. Love it!!! :) I wore one for our rehearsal dinner made out of daisies. Sigh... I adored it!!

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  3. Oh how beautiful. YOu are simply gorgeous! I love that wreat it's lovely. You look like a maiden who just stepped out of the forest.

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  4. Oh cute! I'm going to have to try this sometime! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  5. What a great idea! I think I will have to make one for Lydia...Thank you for taking the time to post this and give me some inspiration.

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  6. You do look like a fairy maiden! I wore one once to a Medieval Fair -- it's fun to be so femininely adorned.

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  7. Thank you so much. I just love these. I plan on making one for my wedding.

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Thank you for your lovely thoughts!