How to Make Artificial Flowers

The art of making artificial flowers out of stockings has been around for many years. Here's how to make your own lovely bouquet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• (7)18 gauge stem wires
• wire pliars
• large detergent lid
• 2 navy blue stockings
• 2 green stockings
• Self-sealing floral tape
• pearl beads
• multi-temp glue gun
• glue sticks
• all purpose glue
• white glitter

How to Make Artificial Flowers

1. Cut off the toes and lastic part of stockings.

2. Fold each stocking into 3rds and cut.

3. Cut each piece of stocking up the side. Lay aside 4 pieces of the navy and 2 pieces of green.

4. Take 1 of the 18 gauge stem wires and wrap the end around the detergent lid far enough that the wire overlaps a few inches.

5. 
   Wire wrapping around itself

   Use wire pliars to wrap the wire around itself.

6. Remove the detergent lid.

7. Repeat steps 4-6 for 5 of the remaining stem wires.

8. Hold stem wire with one hand and turn piece of stocking until it looks like a rectangle, then slowly pull it over the circle.

9. 
   Stocking's corners

   When all of the stocking's corners have been pulled down over the bottom of the circle, tightly wrap the self-sealing floral tape around the corners until they are no longer seen.

10. Repeat steps 8 & 9 for the other 5 stem wires.

11. Gently grasp circle and slowly squeeze the sides toward the circle's center until the flower's petal or leaf is the length you want.

12. Place thumb on bottom and fingers on top of leaf or petal and gently pull downwards to shpae them.

13. Fold last stem wire in half and lightly wrap the wire around itself at the fold to create a V shape.

14. Dab on hot glue and slide end of wire through the pearl beads until they cover the bead of hot glue.

15. 
    Curl ends of wire

    Near the ends of the wire place a pearl bead and use the wire pliars to curl the ends of the wire to the left and right.

16. position flower petals around the beaded wire and wrap the self-sealing floral tape around the wires.

17. Position leaves and wrap self-sealing floral tape tightly around the wires until they can no longer be seen.

18. Dab all purpose glue around edges of petals and smooth out with finger.

19. Pour glitter onto glue and shake off excess.

Tips & Warnings

• Food coloring and fabric dye can be used to dye the stockings many different colors.
• Surgar free Koolaid can also be used to dye stockings.
• In the wedding section of some department and craft stores you can find