Design
42
November | 2022
TIP 1: Play before you glue.
Once you've completed the perimeters of the
designs, play around with placement before
committing by gluing any botanicals. Try a few
different looks before you commit to one. If
you view the composition as a puzzle, you can
determine which botanical materials fi t together
nicely, where one color might look best repeat-
ed or clustered, and how to balance the design.
STEP 2: APPLYING THE BOTANICAL MATERIALS
TIP 2: Avoid symmetry.
I usually choose one side of a
design for a focal succulent or
strawfl ower. I often work right
to left to ensure that I've cov-
ered every corner and given
myself space to tuck smaller
botanical materials under larg-
er ones, to hide glue and felt.
TIP 3: Choose a tool for delicate placements.
Tweezers come in handy to place the
botanical materials and hold them in place
while the glue dries and to prevent you from
burning your fi ngers. A grilling skewer or
toothpick will also work. Such tools are also
great for removing strands of glue hanging
onto the fl orals or the felt, which you can do
as you work or once the design is fi nished.
For all three of these designs—hair comb, earrings and cuff bracelet—I covered the felt with lighter-weight botanicals to create perimeters
that extend beyond the edge of the felt. I used watch-chain, broomcorn millet, bunny-tail grass, bromegrass, Crocosmia pods and/or various
species of Limonium to create the perimeters.
D E S I G N T I P S
