An adorable springtime favorite, the ranunculus is made up of layers of delicate petals with a pop of green in the center. Our standard size flower is created with five or six layers. The key is to practice making and attaching the petals so you can easily build on our basic flower when you have time to play and create. Make a single over-bloomed ranunculus as a statement flower on a mini-cake, or keep them more uniform and tuck them into a topper.
1. Glue a 5⁄8in (1.5cm) styrofoam ball to a green 20g wire and cut off approximately the top third with a craft knife, creating a 1⁄2in (1cm) flat surface.
2. Roll green paste to 1⁄8in (3mm) thickness and cut a 1⁄2in (1cm) circle shape. Apply sugar glue to the circle, and attach it to the flat surface on the styrofoam ball.
3. Press randomly around the circle and out around the edge of the paste with a scallop modeling tool, letting the impressions overlap, creating the look of layers of petals.
4. Press firmly into the center of the paste with the end of a No.10 round piping tip (nozzle) to make a raised circle. Let the center dry for a few hours before adding the petals.
5. Roll pale pink paste to 1⁄16in (2mm) thickness and cut five of the smallest sized petals, measuring 1⁄2 x 5⁄8in (1 x 1.5cm).
6. On a firm surface, vein the petals with the JEM veining tool. Continue to step 7.
7. Using the ball tool on a foam pad, cup each petal completely starting in the center and circling all the way out to the petal edges.
8. Turn the petals upside down for a few seconds until they hold their shape.
9. Apply a small amount of sugar glue in a v-shape along the inner left and right edges of the petals. Attach the five petals about 1⁄4in (5mm) higher over the center, evenly spaced, and tucking the edge of the last petal under the first.
10. Repeat with the second layer of five of the same size petals, placing the first petal at the same height and so that it overlaps where two petals meet in the first layer. Evenly space the remaining petals, tucking the edge of the last petal under the first.
11. Make five petals with the 3⁄4 x 7⁄8in (2 x 2.3cm) size cutter to create the third layer. When attaching these petals, make them the same height, but a tiny bit more open, creating space between the layers. This flower at this stage can be used as a bud.
12. Repeat with a second round of the same size petals, using six petals for the fourth layer, and attaching them so they are a bit more open.
13. Make six petals with the 1 x 1in (2.5 x 2.5cm) size cutter to create the fifth layer. A sixth layer can be added using six or seven larger petals using the 11⁄4 x 11⁄4in (3.2 x 3.2cm) size cutter. Each layer should be a little bit more open.
14. To make a flower that is very bloomed, make a few more petals in the same size you used last for a more compact flower, or the next size larger for a more dramatically open flower. Attach them randomly, placing them lower on the flower and open, or at the same height but very open (see photographs 17 and 18). Let the ranunculus dry completely before dusting.
15. Roll green paste thinly and cut a 17⁄8in (4.7cm) calyx shape. Cup the widest part of the calyx with a ball tool on a foam pad. Apply sugar glue to the center and tips of the calyx.
16. Attach the calyx to the base of the ranunculus flower or bud and smooth with your fingers. Allow it to dry completely.
17. Dust the ranunculus centers with kiwi green. Dust outwards from the center over the first or second layer of petals. Dust the calyx with moss green and spread a little of the green onto the base of the flower.
18. Dust the top edges of the petals with cosmos pink. Steam to set the colors (see Getting Started) and allow to dry before using.
