How to Make a Wrist Corsage Including Beads

Include beads in your corsage to add embellishment and sparkle.

Wrist corsages are miniature flower arrangements attached to a ribbon, elastic band or loop of material. These types of corsages are easier to wear and can contain more weighty flowers because they are stabilized against the wrist. Wrist corsages include embellishments such as bows and ribbon streamers. Adding beads to your corsage is another way of including embellishment. Beaded wires protruding from the flower clusters adds height and texture to the arrangement. Rhinestones and pearls glued to the center of larger flowers create sparkling focal points within the corsage.

Things You'll Need

• Wristlet
• 3 to 4 leatherleaf fern stems
• Knife
• 1 spool ribbon, 1-inch wide
• Scissors
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Floral glue
• 3 carnations or roses
• Knife
• Filler flower
• Beaded wire
• Floral tape

Instructions

1. Set the wristlet face-up on a work surface. Cut the top four inches off three to four leatherleaf fern stems. Gather two ferns and arrange them in a cluster. Place the bottom ends of the ferns on top of the left side of the wristlet. Position the ferns so their tips protrude off to the left of the wristlet. Fold the two left prongs over the ends of the ferns to secure. Repeat this process with the remaining ferns on the right side of the wristlet.

2. Find the end on a spool of 1-inch-wide ribbon. Pinch the ribbon five inches from the end. Form a 4-inch loop at the point by folding the ribbon's wrong sides together. Create a second 4-inch loop in the opposite direction. Twist the ribbon to bring the right side outward and make a third loop. Make three to five more loops in this same manner. Make a half twist in the ribbon after each loop to turn the right side outward. Cut the ribbon five inches past the bottom of the last loop with scissors.

3. Wrap floral wire around the center of the ribbon loops. Twist the ends of the floral wire together at the back of the bow. Trim the ends of the floral wire with wire cutters.

4. Apply a large dot of floral glue to the back of the bow. Place the bow at an angle to the ferns on the wristlet. Press the glue side of the bow down on top of the ferns and hold in place until the glue dries and the bow is secure.

5. Cut the stems on three carnations or roses to two inches in length. Select one of the flowers. Pinch of a small spray of filler flowers from its stem. Leave a 2-inch portion of the stem attached to the spray. Position the spray flowers against the carnation or rose with their stems side by side. Repeat this with the two remaining flowers.

6. Choose beaded wire containing small pearls or clear rhinestone beads. Cut a 3- to 4-inch length of beaded wire. Hold the end of the beaded against the spray flower and carnation or rose stem. Arrange the three pieces to form a nice cluster. Wrap floral tape around the stems and wire to secure them together. Repeat this with the two remaining flower pairs.

7. Place a drop of floral glue on the end of one of the flower clusters. Decide where you want the flower to go on the wristlet. Position the flower in the correct spot on the wristlet over or beside the ribbon. Press the stem down and hold it in place until the glue dries. Repeat this process with the remaining two flowers to create the corsage. Make sure to position each flower cluster so that the beaded wires extend in different directions.

8. Cut three to six more pieces of beaded wire, each four inches in length. Place a drop of hot glue on the end of each wire. Insert them at random points in between the flowers and ribbon loops. Hold each wire in place until the glue dries and it becomes permanently attached.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue a pearl or rhinestone bead in the center of each flower if you are using roses.

References

• Flower Arrangement Advisor: Beautiful Wedding Corsages