Wiring vs Gluing… Which team are you on?
Our NEW 2014 range is now available and packed full of tons of brand new tools to make those wrist corsages and buttonholes as simple and stylish as possible. (Read on for a 'how to glue a corsage' guide and tips from other florists)
Plus it’ll soon be time to start promo for the proms and wedding season is once again on the horizon, when Corsage Creations’ ready-made wristlets will come in super-handy.
So preparation for summer is well under-way, but there’s still one question on everyone’s lips… how do you make yours?
On the blue team we have the gluers… their squeeze-it, leave-it, stick-it strategy has gained lots of popularity due to its ease and flexibility, but it’s left a number of florists gawping in disbelief.
Why? Well on the red team we have the wirers… many of whom are extensively trained florists who believe it’s their way or the high way.
Here’s what they have to say…
FYI – these are all real florists’ own opinions, not ours, there’s no definitive right or wrong method!
...And it looks like we have a winner!
Fiddly wiring just doesn’t seem to cut it in competition with the ease of gluing. Of course there is no real right or wrong, so do add your comments below if you think a point has been missed. Corsage Creations wristlets can be used with both wire and glue (or both at the same time!), so whichever team you’re on, you can still use the most popular florist accessory around.
New to Glue?
Here’s how… A go-to guide for how to make a corsage using Corsage Creations wristlets:
• Once you’ve opened your tube of glue, use an oily substance like Leaf Shine, oil, or hand cream on the nozzle and cap to prevent the glue building-up. Plus if you rub some on your hands it’ll be easier to remove glue from them afterwards.
• Use pliers to squeeze the nozzle to an oval as this makes the glue flow more controllable.
• Use a piece of plastic, ceramic tile, non-stick tray or something similar as your work-surface to squeeze the glue onto. This will keep your work-area tidy and also means your glue puddle is ready for the next use.
• Only use a small amount of glue at a time as it dries out very quickly, but add fresh glue to the puddle to make it all reconstitute leaving you with less waste.
• Decide which gluing method will work best for each design: 1) Dip directly into glue puddle, 2) Glue straight onto the surfaces that you’re sticking
• Cover the whole of cut stem ends with glue to preserve moisture within the flower.
• Glue sticks to glue, so be sure to have glue on both surfaces.
• Cold glue sticks best once it’s slightly dried and tacky – so count to ten before attaching.
• Flowers must reach room temperature before gluing or the condensation will not allow the glue to set securely.
• Let corsages rest for 10-12 minutes to allow glue to dry and set before spraying or sealing in protective packaging or placing in refrigeration. The glue will not continue to dry once it’s been placed in the humidity of the cooler.
• Save a few of the tube lids when the tubes are empty, to replace lost ones!
• Store glue with the lid tightly sealed. If the top does get lost, insert a corsage pin into the nozzle to seal it until the next use.
• OASIS Floral Adhesive seems to be the most popular brand of cold glue, but if you can’t get hold of that or you’d prefer a pot to a tube, then Elmer’s Rubber Cement is florist-recommended! You may have to hunt for it on eBay or Amazon though.
• The plastic attachment on Corsage Creations wristlets and accessories is specifically made for attaching flowers with glue. For an even more secure hold, score the plastic with a knife to create a rough surface that will allow an even stronger stick.
Here are some corsage-making tips, tricks and advice from florists, for florists:
"Watch our tutorial videos." (Just search ‘Corsage Creations’ in YouTube or visit corsagecreations.co.uk/blog and you'll find a bunch by popular florist Rob Wallace)
"Use cold glue not pan hot glue… flowers are likely to pop off if you use hot glue"
"Make sure your piece is completely dry before refrigeration"
"Attach your greenery using a wire in order to blend and place in position properly, then glue the smaller, more delicate flowers in place"
"You must apply glue to both surfaces and wait for it to become tacky… really tacky… before attaching flower"
"You don’t want any stem left on the bloom before sticking"
"Practise makes perfect… the first couple of tries may take way longer than if you’d wired, but once you learn a system that works for you and utilises the waiting time it’s fine"
"Sometimes it’s better to wire heavier flowers but glue the rest"
"Use the glue to add detail to different areas of a design"
"Make all your bows and glue them on to the wristlets days or weeks ahead of time, then just glue in the flowers when you get the orders"
If you’re feeling inspired by all this talk of gluing, visit corsagecreations.co.uk to get hold of those essential corsage accessories.
For more useful ideas visit www.theflorist.co.uk
Written by Hannah Dunne