Because of my job, I am rather well stocked with beads, bits and baubles and what have you. So whenever I am out sourcing for materials for a project, I still want to get my hands on whatever bits and pieces that catches my eye. 😉
These floral wires have been sitting in my studio cabinet for ages.
Buttons old and new, mostly mismatched, have been collecting in glass jars alongside our sewing station….
Small pieces of white fabrics, too small to make anything wearable, were beginning to gather dust on shelves…..
In honor of wedding month and since I was feeling a little bit crafty last week, I decided to put together a bouquet and a boutonniere set for a unique bride and groom, as well as give these materials a whole new purpose. These type of bouquets are popping up in many weddings today.
First things first, stack buttons into three or four from the largest to the smallest on top while running the floral wire through until it is at half of the wire’s length. Then do the twist! Twist by clamping the wires with pliers and with your other hand, twist by holding the buttons. Twist until the end. Larger buttons or beads flew solo with their own floral wire. It’s best to have a color palette in mind already, mine being neutrals and metallics and very few muted colors here and there.
Out of the white fabrics, I made rosettes and did the same twisted floral vine technique.
To make it easier to group them as one big bouquet, I made smaller groupings of a rosette with about 6-8 ‘stems’ of the stacked buttons. I grouped them like so….
Make several groupings and compose a bigger bouquet until you are satisfied with its size and composition.
I felt I needed just a tad bit more rosettes….
The stem area of floral wires I covered by recycling a page from an old brochure and rolling it into a tube and using tape to seal it. Any longer floral wires that stick out, just simply bend them outwards and over the roll to clasp. Tape more to secure it better.
I made a layered “skirt” with the same kind of fabrics I used for the rosettes so that it’s consistent. It’s best to secure it with a glue gun.
You can wrap whatever kind of ribbon you like to cover the rolled cardboard and secure the ribbon with a glue gun. In this case, I made a “sock” with a garterized opening so that it holds the rolled thick paper securely. Add ribbons and whatever other design elements if you like….
Turn it over and voila!
You now have a button and bead bouquet, perfect for the eco bride! You can make several for the maid of honor and bridesmaids, and incorporate real flowers for the bride’s special bouquet. Or make several bouquets as centerpieces for a vintage-inspired wedding!
If you do not like the green color of the floral wire, you can easily cover it up with either a black permanent marker (like a Sharpie) or a metallic paint pen.
Now for the groom’s boutonniere so that it is consistent with the bride’s bouquet…..
Apply the same technique with the floral wires, buttons and beads and group it together. Bend the group of twisted floral wires into half like so….
Do the same of covering the wires by rolling a piece of hard paper or cardboard around it…..
Even my dog, Sweet, approves!
Then, again for consistency, we made a garterized sock and wrapped around a nice rope for design. Tada!
You now have a matching bead and button bouquet and boutonniere!
We LOVE green weddings! 😉
Other ways to be eco-friendly for your wedding:
-If you really want to use real flowers, use locally grown flowers instead of the imported ones.
-Find a way to combine potted plants in your centerpieces and decor. They can be replanted in the garden or balcony of your new home as husband and wife.
-Have a garden wedding instead so the flowers for decor are already provided.
There are many other ways to be planet-friendly and classy for one’s special day. What do you suggest? 😉 I would love to hear from you!
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What great ideas Guads! Having a bouquet and boutonniere like this – something you can keep away as a souvenir or have the next generation use as a hand me down for their wedding! Something you can’t do with real flowers! 🙂
Exactement, Angelica! Not just helping the environment but passing a memorable piece down to the next generation 😉 It’ll be even more gorgeous if jewels and crystals are included. Let me know when you want me to make yours! Wink, wink! 😉