This is my favorite method for creating full, voluminous, over-the-top flower crowns. I wire all the floral components individually before taping them onto the strong base wire. The lisianthus and spray roses were wired using the piercing method; the feather celosia, artemisia, blueberry, privet, astrantia, didiscus, and oreganos were wired using the cranking method; and the scabiosa was wired using the insertion method (see page 28 for more information on these methods). The best (and most fun) part of this process is the embellishment stage. The strong crown structure created by wiring and taping each element provides many reliable nooks and crannies for tucking in these glued elements. After all the wired components are secured to the base, I love to glue in unexpected gestural or textural materials.
STEP 1: Using you own head as a guide, measure the wire to create the crown base. Bring the two ends together behind your head, making sure you have an additional 1 in (2.5 cm) or so of length on either side of the meeting point before cutting. These extra lengths will not be covered with flowers but twisted together as a closure for the finished crown.
STEP 2: Wire all the floral components except the heuchera, using the appropriate wiring method for each (see page 28). All of the components can be wired ahead of time.
STEP 3: To prepare the base wire for the crown, press the stem wrap tape to the base and wrap it around to firmly lock it in place before you begin adding floral components.
STEP 4: Begin adding the floral components, starting with the smallest or most tapered. Add flowers one at a time, and with each addition wrap firmly around its stem section. The bloom of each subsequent flower you add will conceal the taped end of the last.
STEP 5: Continue adding materials, working your way up to larger florets, bending the wire as needed to face the bloom end of the flower out, away from the base wire. To create depth and dimension, place some floral components flush to the base wire and leave the wire on others longer, allowing them to float above the denser materials.
STEP 6: Continue, alternating material type and orientation of the blooms. At the halfway point, focus on fullness, adding the largest lisianthus and spray rose blooms. You can also play with height by leaving more length on the wired stem. You can group colors and specific flowers, creating an impactful focal area, or alternate varieties evenly throughout the piece, creating a more uniform crown. If the extra wired ends of the floral components become too bulky, trim them as you go.
STEP 7: After attending to the fullest central area, work your way down the rest of the length of the crown. Place the materials closer and tighter to the base wire, choosing smaller materials as you go.
STEP 8: When you reach the very end of the piece, trim off the wire ends of the last floral components right below the taped binding point. This little taped nubbin will be concealed when the crown is wrapped and joined around the head.
STEP 9: Position the crown on the head form as you would like it to be worn and, using floral adhesive, add detail to the focal area. Glue delicate materials such as the heuchera foliage and tiny clusters of blueberry onto landing spots in the dense matrix of wiring. This is where you get to have fun! Glue delicate materials until you’re happy with the crown.
STEP 10: Spray the crown with water and package it for storage or presentation.
