Flower Bead
Posted in Trims on 02/04/2011 04:24 pm by admin
Making French Bead Flowers Lifelike and Vibrant
One issue that is not often addressed is how French bead flowers can be made to look as lifelike as possible. Even with the finest construction techniques, the straightest basic rows and the most invisible lacing, bead flowers can look stiff and artificial and not like the exquisite natural objects they are imitating.
Here are a few ideas that will help your flowers to be their loveliest and most natural-looking. You can use these tips even if you are making a “fantasy” flower. A flower is a flower, after all, and even if the one you have created doesn’t yet grow in nature, odds are that someday some botanist will develop it.
When making the petals and leaves, reduce the bottom basic wires to two instead of three. It may seem insignificant, but this one improvement will make a big difference in each flower. The flower stems should be as narrow as possible, so reducing these wires is important.
Tape the stemwires of each petal, sepal, leaf and center before constructing the finished flower. Tape tightly and use as little tape as possible. This will reduce “wobble” in your finished flower. Living flowers’ parts don’t move and neither should the parts of bead flowers. Be sure you have used enough wire for the stems of petals and leaves; leaving these wires too short can cause the flower to fall apart.
During construction, wrap the construction wire and tape as tightly as possible. If you are adding many layers of petals, stop after each layer and cover the construction wire wraps with green tape. I have found that, on large flowers that require many rows of flowers, construction wires for early rows tend to show through later rows. If green tape is all that is visible, the eye will ignore it; messy wire will pull the eye and ruin the flower’s beauty. Push sepals right up under the base of the flower. Think of sepals as being a warm muffler in the winter: you plump that up right under your chin. A sepal that seems to spring right from the base of the flower will make the flower look rich and luxurious.
Now that you have the flower built, allow yourself to use some imagination. Take a look at living flowers. Compare several roses to each other, or several daisies. You will see variations among the individual blooms. Examine the way the stems may bend. Do the flower heads tip forward? Do some petals curve or curl more than others? Does a leaf twist rather than unfurl straight?
To copy nature’s variations, you have a few tools at your disposal. The common pencil can help you make your roses breathtaking. Push the tip of your thumb into the bottom third of your rose petal, then curl the top backwards around a pencil. This will give the petal the shape that many varieties of rose possess. To make a twisted leaf, use two pliers (one at the top and one at the bottom) and twist in opposite directions. This effect can also be achieved by holding the leaf in a hemostat and using one plier to make the twist. For more shape, curl the top of the leaf backward a bit. For a different shape, “crease” the petal or leaf inward along its basic row and then roll the outer rows back to a more curved shape. You can combine these techniques to make infinite variations in the look of your flowers.
When the flowers are arranged in sprays, be sure to bend the tallest stem once to the left and once to the right. The top of the tallest stem should usually take another small bend so that it points straight up. Secondary stems can have one bend in them. This will give the spray motion and flow. Use one or two pliers to get this effect.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the process. As you work with the flowers more and more, you will develop a “feel” for how they should look. With patience and practice, your flower-arranging skills will improve and give you great satisfaction with your arrangements.
About the Author
Rosemary Kurtz has been designing and creating French bead flowers for many years. She has won many blue ribbons locally, nationally and internationally for her designs. A mentor and teacher, her goal is to teach new artists this beautiful craft. Please visit her site at http://www.rosemarykurtz.com for her instructional DVDs and her original patterns. These materials are appropriate for raw beginners as well as experienced beaders.
|
|
2 yard lot Sew Trim Lot Pearl Flower Oval Bead Trim Sewing Adorn Embellishment $34.99 |
|
|
300 Mix Color Flower Rhinestone Bead Applique Wholesale $27.99 |
|
|
75pcs 24656 Flower Carved Flatback Sew-on Buttons Bead Applique 15x40mm Free P&P $26.98 |
|
|
120x Nice Round Flower Bead Bronze Buttons Fit Sewing Fastenings&Supplies 160660 $25.98 |
|
|
500 Burgundy Organza Flower Bead Scrapbooking Wholesale $24.99 |
|
|
500 White Satin Flower Pearl Bead Applique Wholesale $24.99 |
|
|
500 Ivory Plum Flower Pearl Bead Applique Wholesale New $24.99 |
|
|
500 Pink Organza Flower Bead Applique Wholesale Dress $23.99 |
|
|
250x New Square Flower Bead Bronze Buttons Fit Sewing Fastenings&Supplies 160656 $23.98 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 2028 $22.29 |
|
|
8″Handmade Gold Pearl Bead Flower Trim Embellish $20.00 |
|
|
5″ BLUE SEQUIN & BEAD FLOWER APPLIQUES TRIM LOT OF 12 $19.90 |
|
|
280 Mix 7 Color Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique $18.99 |
|
|
750pcs 160602 New Charm Flower Plated Silver Plated Bead End Tips Caps 12mm Hot $16.98 |
|
|
8″ RED SEQUIN & BEAD FLOWER APPLIQUES TRIM LOT OF 5 $15.90 |
|
|
8″ RED SEQUIN & BEAD FLOWER APPLIQUES TRIM LOT OF 6 $15.90 |
|
|
80 White Organza Flower Pearl Bead Wedding Decoration $13.99 |
|
|
80 Pink Organza Flower Pearl Bead Applique Wedding New $13.99 |
|
|
200 Mix 8 Color Satin Plum Flower Pearl Bead Applique Scrapbooking Sewing Craft $13.99 |
|
|
FW17 Silver Flower Sequin Bead Applique Sew Trimming 20pcs $13.99 |
|
|
FW18 Colorful Petal Flower Sequin Bead Applique Sewing/Trimming 20pcs $13.99 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 2259 $13.15 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 1085 $13.15 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 1086 $13.15 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 1840 $13.15 |
|
|
BEAD AND SEQUIN RED FLOWER APPLIQUES – SET OF 3 – 10″ X 6″ $13.00 |
|
|
80 Pink Organza Flower Applique w/ Pearl Bead Wedding Decoraction $12.99 |
|
|
80 White Organza Flower Applique w/ Pearl Bead Craft Wedding Decoraction $12.99 |
|
|
40 White Satin Flower Pearl Bead Wedding Craft 35mm New $12.99 |
|
|
50 Black Flower Rhinestone Bead Applique Dress Hair $12.99 |
|
|
50 Pink Flower Rhinestone Bead Applique Wedding Dress $12.99 |
|
|
50 Red Flower Rhinestone Bead Applique Party Hair Gift $12.99 |
|
|
50 Ivory Flower Rhinestone Bead Applique Decoration New $12.99 |
|
|
50 Silver Flower Rhinestone Bead Fashion Dress Party $12.99 |
|
|
50 Blue Flower Rhinestone Bead Anniversary Party Gift $12.99 |
|
|
40 Pink Satin Flower Pearl Bead Scrapbooking Craft 35mm $12.99 |
|
|
100 Red Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $12.99 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Party $12.99 |
|
|
100 Orange Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $12.99 |
|
|
100 Blue Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $12.99 |
|
|
100 Purple Organza Flower w/ Acrylic Bead Applique New $12.99 |
|
|
100 Pink Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $12.99 |
|
|
100 Ivory Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Dress $12.99 |
|
|
100 Colorful Sequins Flower Bead Applique Wedding Gift 2cm $12.99 |
|
|
200 Mix Satin Rosebud Flower w/ Pearl Bead Wedding 2cm $12.99 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 2565 $12.56 |
|
|
LR110 Black Bugle & Bead Applique Motif Mirror Pair Floral Flower Designer/Tutu $12.50 |
|
|
100 Mix 5 Color Organza Flower Bead Applique Wedding $12.49 |
|
|
100 Black Organza Flower Bead Applique Party Dress Gift $12.49 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Bead Applique Wedding Favor $12.49 |
|
|
100 Green Organza Flower Bead Applique Bridal Decorate $12.49 |
|
|
100 Fushia Organza Flower Bead Applique Sewing Wedding $12.49 |
|
|
1) Yard Lot Sequin Flower Bead Embellishment Sew On Glue On Trim Stuffed Animal $12.00 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Flower Appliques Leaf with Bead Mix Colors TA7064 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Flower With Bead Appliques TA7097 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Pink Flower With Bead Appliques TA7099 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Flower With White Bead Appliques TA7098 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Pink Flower With Bead Appliques LA7075 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Flower with Crystal Bead Appliques LA7097 $11.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP 200pcs Satin Ribbon Hot Pink Flower with Crystal Bead Appliques LA7098 $11.99 |
|
|
100 Purple Organza Flower w/ Pearl Bead Applique Craft $11.99 |
|
|
100 Fushia Organza Flower w/ Pearl Bead Applique Party $11.99 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower w/ Pearl Bead Applique Wedding $11.99 |
|
|
Green Leaf Flower Handmade Beaded Bead Scissor Fob $11.95 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 1786 $11.55 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Bead Applique Decoration Gift $10.99 |
|
|
100 Pink Organza Flower Bead Applique Wedding Dress $10.99 |
|
|
100 Burgundy Organza Flower Bead Applique Scrapbooking $10.99 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 1549 $10.99 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 568 $10.99 |
|
|
100 Purple Butterfly Felt Padded Applique Flower Bead $10.99 |
|
|
100 Fushia Butterfly Felt Applique Flower Bead Wedding $10.99 |
|
|
Flower Iron on Rhinestones Transfer Hotfix Bead 2038 $10.99 |
|
|
LOT OF 2 APPLIQUES WARRIOR HEADRESS AND BEAD FLOWER $10.95 |
|
|
Glass Bead Pearl 7″ FLOWER SWIRLS APPLIQUE 1pc $10.79 |
|
|
Glass Bead Pearl 7″ FLOWER SWIRLS APPLIQUE 1pc $10.79 |
|
|
Glass Bead Pearl 7″ FLOWER SWIRLS APPLIQUE 1pc $10.79 |
|
|
Glass Bead Pearl 7″ FLOWER SWIRLS APPLIQUE 1pc $10.79 |
|
|
Glass Bead Pearl 7″ FLOWER SWIRLS APPLIQUE 1pc $10.79 |
|
|
80 White Organza Flower Pearl Bead Wedding Decoration $10.49 |
|
|
80 Pink Organza Flower Pearl Bead Applique Wedding New $10.49 |
|
|
100 Ivory Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Dress $10.49 |
|
|
100 Orange Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $10.49 |
|
|
100 Blue Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Party $10.49 |
|
|
100 Red Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 Purple Organza Flower w/ Acrylic Bead Applique New $10.49 |
|
|
100 Pink Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $10.49 |
|
|
100 Ivory Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Dress $10.49 |
|
|
100 Orange Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $10.49 |
|
|
100 Blue Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Party $10.49 |
|
|
100 Red Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 Purple Organza Flower w/ Acrylic Bead Applique New $10.49 |
|
|
100 Pink Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $10.49 |
|
|
100 Blue Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 Ivory Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Dress $10.49 |
|
|
100 Orange Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Craft $10.49 |
|
|
100 Red Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Wedding $10.49 |
|
|
100 White Organza Flower Acrylic Bead Applique Party $10.49 |
|
|
Border Silicone Fondant Mold Set $19.90 ###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################… |
|
|
Wine Charms ~ Multi Colors Metal Betty Boop Marilyn Monroe Wine Glass Charms with Swarovski Crystal Beads Set of 6 (Red, Yellow, White, Black, Green and Blue) $24.95 Multi Colors Metal Betty Boop Marilyn Monroe Wine Glass Charms with Swarovski Crystal Beads Set of 6. Red, Yellow, White, Black, Green and Blue… |
|
|
Wine Charms ~ Multi Colors Metal Betty Boop Wine Glass Charms with Swarovski Crystal Beads Set of 6 (2 Reds, 2 Pinks, 1 Blue and 1 Purple) $26.95 Multi Color Metal Betty Boop Wine Glass Charms with Swarovski Crystal Beads set of 6 (2 Reds, 2 Pinks, 1 Blue and 1 Purple)… |
|
|
Submersible Battery LED 10 Lights~WHITE~wedding~tea Light $6.48 WHITE -Submersible Underwater Lights all with batteries included- Just twist the light it is an easy on/off switch with replaceable batteries. The battery included gives the lights 12-16 hours of operation. These are not returnable. The batteries for these are CR2032-and 2 are used in each light. The size of these lights are 1″ tall and 1 1/4″ across. These lights can be used for Parties in arrang… |
|
|
Prepara Power Plant Mini $36.00 Have a mini garden at your fingertips, all year long, go on, show off your freshly grown Italian sweet basil or your newly sprouted curly dwarf parsley from the comfort of your kitchen, anytime, rain or shine. Our little green growing machine will empower you to try; herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruits. Experience the pleasure and satisfaction of growing your own plants. Experiment with any se… |
|
|
Crystal Flower 5 Light Chandelier with Glass Bead on Fabric Pink Shade $413.00 7369-92824 1 Features: -Chandelier.-Shimmering garden of crystals.-Spiral of pink crystal flowers flutters up the center of this 5-arm green chandelier.-Removable glass bobeches with attached pink tear drop crystals glisten in the light.-Solid pink beaded shades. Color/Finish: -Color: Soft Green and Pink. Specifications: -Accommodates: 5 x 25W Candelabra. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 19” H x… |
|
|
Hello Kitty Little Girls Flower Charm Necklace $4.00 Little girls can show off their love for Hello Kitty with the Hello Kitty Charm Necklace. Necklace features pink hearts, light pink stars, iridescent clear beads and a white Hello Kitty charm. Necklace measures 16.5-inch long…. |
