Number 1: Vary your colors.
Have you ever really looked at a spray of roses, or any other living flowers all on the same plant? You might assume they're all exactly the same color. Take a closer look. There are sometimes wide variations in the colors of the flowers. Those that are just blooming may be a lighter color; mature blooms can be a little darker; and those that are past their best moment may be a darker color. Using different shadings of color in your flowers will help them look more authentic.
You may also see that mature blooms can pick up spots or other additional coloration. Use it!
Number 2: Keep all stems narrow.
Stems on living flowers are generally fairly slim in proportion to the flower head. You rarely see a "fat" stem on a flower. Keep this principle in mind when building your beaded flowers.
There are several ways to thin your stems. One way is to reduce the basic loop wires during construction of the petals. As you're finishing each petal, cut open the basic loop about an inch under the last row of beads. Straighten this wire, but don't cut it off. During assembly of the flower, this length of wire will add stability, like the tail of a kite adds stability to the kite.
Another way is to wire the flower together before taping. To do this, take some 32-gauge lacing wire, or regular 26-gauge wire if you don't have lacing wire. As you add each layer of petals to the main stemwire, wrap once tightly with the spool wire. When all the petals are added, wrap the spool wire very tightly down the main stem and secure at the bottom.
Number 3: Use tape sparingly.
Floral tape should cover all visible wire, but should not overlap itself at the edges so much that it adds bulk. Be sure to stretch tape before wrapping, then wrap to just cover any visible wires.
All petal and leaf stemwires must be taped. Not only does it cover the wires, it adds "tooth" so that the finished flowers will hold together better, and the elements won't slip or turn out of place or fall right out of the flower.
If you are making a very complicated flower, like a large rose that must be assembled in many layers, lightly tape each layer of added petal wires during assembly. The finished flower will look much more elegant and professional.
Number 4: Lace petals and leaves over 13 rows wide.
As with many other things, perfection is in the details. Lace your larger pieces right after construction and before you assemble the flower, and they'll look better for decades. Few things look worse than a beaded-flower petal or leaf that has become stringy and misshapen over the years, just for the lack of lacing
Number 5: The best living flowers aren't always perfect.
Take a really good look at a bunch of flowers. Not all of them are "perfect." Some may have a petal that turns in a different direction than the rest. Some might actually be missing a petal. Some may open a little too wide, or not quite enough. Use this in shaping your flowers. Give each one a little personality so they're not all cookie-cutter perfect.
Number 6: Arrange your flowers in an interesting way that looks spontaneous.
Borrow a bit of spontaneity from someone who just came in from picking wildflowers and stuck them in a vase in a hurry. The flowers won't be arranged just so; they'll look a little messy. Do the same with your beaded flowers. Make a trailing "vine" of leaves to spill down over the edge of your vase. If you have a group of beaded tulips - bend one downwards so the head is below the rim of the vase. Lilies? Turn one a bit so it looks off to one side or the other. Put one rose in with a bunch of hydrangea, or add an unexpected color to your bunch of flowers. Have fun with it!
Number 7: Use a touch of unexpected materials now and then.
Seed beads are not the only beads you can use, even if you are just learning how to make French beaded flowers. Use a few Swarovski crystal beads for a center; throw in a lampwork bead, or even a Pandora style bead now and then. You don't have to copy nature exactly.
Being a little spontaneous can bring lots of new creativity. Let loose and do something unexpected!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6425980
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