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Pomander (Rose Ball)

Rose pomanders have been made for centuries. While aromatic pomanders were once carried to bring good health, they are now commonly used for decorating. They make an attractive addition to any entryway, foyer, or chandelier and are also an interesting alternative to traditional wedding bouquets. Since pomanders are easy to make, why not make several of them in different sizes?

Before making the pomander, you will first need to “condition�?the roses. While this sounds complicated, it's not. Just re-cut the stems using a clean, sharp knife and place them standing in fresh clean water with floral preservative. Let the roses drink the water for several hours.

While the roses are being conditioned, begin preparing the ball base. This is done by carving a ball out of floral foam and then soaking it in water. After the water has been absorbed, encase the ball with chicken wire. This will add structure to the pomander and provide a sturdy frame to tie the ribbon on.

Next, attach a loop of ribbon to the top of the ball, through the chicken wire frame. After attaching the ribbon, you can begin pinning moist decorative green moss to the ball using U shaped pins.

Last, but certainly not least, insert your flowers into the rose ball. While doing this, remember to handle the roses with care so as to not damage the petals. Begin by placing the roses into the floral foam ball near the ribbon. Depending on the size of the foam ball, the length of the rose stems should be 1 1/2 - 2 inches �?long enough to be held firmly in the ball, but short enough that it doesn't push through the other side. If the stems are too long, just cut them to the appropriate length using a sharp knife.

Keep placing roses in the ball spacing them close together. You can fill in any gaps with complementary greenery or ribbon. For an extra touch, finish off the bottom with a tassel!

Boutonniere

Corsages and boutonnieres add an elegance to any occasion and are fun and simple to make. The basic idea is to take a flower blossom and attach it to an article of clothing with a long pin. They can be as simple as that or as elaborate as your imagination!

Boutonnieres for men tend to be a single flower, or a few small flowers. The stem should be cut to 2 inches long. Garnish the flower with a small piece of greenery. For a finished look, wrap the stem with floral tape. Flowers with thin stems can be supported easily if you gently push a piece of wire into the stem at the base of the flower. Be sure to cover all wire with floral tape.

Compared to boutonnieres, corsages can be larger and very fancy. To make a corsage, select between 2 and 5 flowers to work with and attach a wire to each. Next, wrap each flower tightly with floral tape individually and then as a group. If the base of the wrapped flowers becomes too wide (it should only be slightly larger than the normal width), use wire cutters to trim the bulk. Remember that your corsage should not be so heavy that it pulls on the wearer's outfit. After your flowers are arranged, dress up the corsage with ribbon and lace.