The irresistible cosmos comes in a beautiful range of colors, from deep plum and magenta, to crisp white and the palest hint of blush. The delicate bright yellow center adds a fresh pop of color. The cosmos flower is a versatile wired flower that is easy to use in bunches as the focal flower in a design, or as a filler flower next to your other favorites.
1. Create a 5in (13cm) long loop of heavy-duty polyester thread by wrapping it around four spread fingers or a 5in (13cm) piece of cardboard. Twist the loop into a figure of eight and then fold over in half to create a smaller loop that is now twice as thick. Slide a 6in (15cm) length of 30g white wire through the center of the loop, fold the middle over the thread, and twist both ends of the wire tightly under the base of the thread. Repeat on the opposite side of the loop. Use half-width white floral tape to tape very tightly over the twisted wires and up onto the thread about 1⁄4in (5mm) to keep the thread bunched together like the base of a “broom”.
2. Cut the thread across the middle, creating two centers. Trim thread down to a 3⁄8in (8mm) length with an even, flat top.
3. Dust the thread and base of the tape with aubergine petal dust.
4. Using a small brush, dab the top of the thread with a little sugar glue or leaf glaze.
5. Dip the top of the flower center in yellow pollen mixture (see Getting Started), pressing firmly for even coverage.
6. Separate the threads a tiny bit with the end of a paintbrush to allow some of the dark threads to be seen. Allow the flower center to dry completely before using.
7. Roll pale pink paste to 1⁄16in (2mm) thickness over the top half of a groove on the groove board.
8. Gently pull the paste from the groove and place on a smooth part of the board. Cut a petal shape using the 1 x 5⁄8in (2.5 x 1.5cm) petal cutter.
9. Dip a 4in (10cm) length of 30g white wire into sugar glue and insert it 1⁄2in (1cm) into the groove. Secure by gently pressing the paste neatly around the wire, maintaining the shape of the base of the petal (see Getting Started).
10. On the foam pad, thin the petal edges, and then gently lengthen the petal about 1⁄4in (5mm) with a few upward strokes of a ball tool.
11. Press the petal in the veiner, with the grooved side facing down.
12. On the back side of the petal, lightly ruffle the top edge with a small ball tool.
13. Randomly press along the top edge of the petal three or four times with the small end of a Dresden tool to create a few ridges.
14. Dry the petal front-side down on the handle of a blade modeling tool, smoothing the bottom fifth of the petal over the handle to round it, and keeping the rest of the petal laying as flat as possible.
15. Make four of these to create the inner petals for the flower.
16. Repeat the petal-making process for the outer petals using a combination of the two petal cutters, but lay them all flat to dry rather than curving them round a modeling tool. Make four petals for the outer layer for a more botanically correct flower, or five petals (as pictured) for a fuller look.
Roll a larger piece of paste evenly over several grooves in the groove board to create petals quickly and more efficiently.
17. Using a small flat brush, dust around the edges of the petals with a medium shade of cosmos pink dust, leaving the centers of the petals as is. If some of the underside of the flower will be seen, add some dust to the top half of the backs of the petals.
18. Using green half-width floral tape, attach the first inner petal to the center, with the cupped base hugging the thread and the base of the petal at the top of the white tape.
19. Tape the remaining three inner petals around the center at the same height, spacing them evenly.
20. Slide the first outer petal into position behind the inner petals, taping it in the gap between two petals. It should lay almost flat against the inner petals. If it is abruptly sticking out from the flower, drop the position slightly before taping so the petal layers are more flush.
21. Tape the remaining three or four petals around the flower in the same way, spacing them evenly. Wind the floral tape evenly down the length of the wires to create a single stem.
22. Gently steam the flower for 3 or 4 seconds to set the petal dust (see Getting Started). Allow it to dry before using.
23. Roll a smooth ball of white paste around 3⁄8in (8mm) to 1⁄2in (1cm) in diameter. Attach neatly to a 24g hooked wire (see Getting Started).
24. Use a knife tool to make five indentations around the ball, pressing from top to bottom. Allow it to dry completely.
25. Dust the base of the bud with kiwi green and the tip of the bud with pale pink to match the flowers. Gently steam for a few seconds to set the petal dust. Allow it to dry before using.
