Floating Floral Cloud Arrangement

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Chicken Wire, 20"x 4'
• Floracraft Floral Foam Sheet, 2"x 6"x 36"
• Decorator Chain, 10', 1
• Wire Cutters
• Floral Wire, 24 Gauge, Green
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Gun Sticks
• Floral Stems:
• Elegant Home Ltd.:
• Olive Leaves, Burgundy, 2
• Maple Leaves, Burgundy, 2
• Lavender Berry, Orange, 3
• Autumn Berry, White, 2
• Heather, Yellow, 2
• Mini Flower stem, Orange, 1
• UniVic Floral Co. Ltd.:
• Eucalyptus Leaves, 29", Cream, 3
• Magnolia Leaves, 28", Brown, 2
• Oriental Craft:
• Magnolia Leaf, Yellow, 2
• Onion Grass Berry Bush, Dark Red, 5
• Reed, Cream mixed Light Yellow, 5
• Autumn Berry, Red, 2
• Thistle, Cream, 3
• Pomegranate Fruit, Dark Orange, 1
• May Fung Plastic Factory:
• Amaranth, Orange, 2
• JA:
• Eucalyptus, Brown, 3
• Eucalyptus Sunflower, Mauve/Burgundy, 3
• Amaranthus Hanging, Cream, 2
• Autumn Berry Hanging, Tan, 2
• Sweet Pea Bush, Cream, 1
• Chinese Lantern, Brown, 2, Grey, 3
• Pampas Grass Twig, Brown, 2
• Hooks to Hang, 2
• Optional: Floral Pins, Floral Tape, Carabiners, Small, 2

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wrap chicken wire tight around foam overlapping long sides of wire. Bend and weave cut edges of long sides together. Weave floral wire through overlapped edges of chicken wire to further secure. Fold in ends of chicken wire to foam. Optional: Add floral pins to hold wire to foam.
2. Wrap ends of chain around foam/wire base 1' on either side of center of length of base. Use floral wire to attach ends of chain to length of chain at top of 6" wide base. Optional: Use carabiners added to the ends of the chain for easy, secure attachment. Alternate method: Use floral wire to attach ends of chain to center of top 6" wide base. This may make the arrangement sag over time due to the weight of the floral stems. The chain may need to be cut to length, to hang the arrangement at desired height, after arrangement is completed.
3. Hang the base from the chain while arranging the stems. If working over a finished surface cover the area with a drop cloth to catch cut debris and drips of hot glue.
4. Trim lengths of floral stems as each are added to arrangement. Keep enough length of stems to insert into base. Separate stems to reduce clumping of one texture. Organize stems by color and texture. Place stems at a severe angle through the chicken wire and into the foam. Place broad leaf stems into base first. Balance the colors of stems from side to side. Place stems throughout the base intertwining and bending to naturalize the arrangement. View arrangement from all angles and from below to make sure that all surfaces that will be visible have similar treatment. Add hot glue to the stems after most stems have been inserted into the foam. Trim any broad leaves that may be bunched under other stems. Hot glue the trimmed leaves to cover any visible foam and wire.
5. Cut chain to desired length.

JOANN HACKS:

• Use a chopstick or thin dowel to create holes in the foam for the floral stems.
• To elongate stems two or more stems may be secured together. Spiral floral wire close to the end of one stem and wrap around a second stem below a leaf. Add a spiral of floral tape to conceal the wire.