Just in time for prom - Corsage or Boutonneire Tutorial

Around $23.00. That's what a simple wrist corsage with two roses, some greenery, and a bow goes for at a local florist. Save yourself some money and make it yourself. A bunch of roses and baby's breath should cost around $10.

Besides that, you'll need: A bow (another tutorial for another day), scissors, needlenose pliers, wire cutters, chenille stems or floral wire, florist tape, silk leaves, corsage pins, and a wristlet (if desired - and all the high school girls desire them. No one wants to pin one to their dress anymore.) Almost all of the stuff is available at Walmart - although I have to buy the wristlet's at a local ribbon outlet.

Begin by cutting your flower with about a 1 inch stem. Remove any ugly outer petals and sepals if you wish.

Poke a three inch long wire or chenille stem up into the hypanthiam (base of the flower) - you can just poke it in, or thread it through, it will depend on your wire and your flower.

Then begin to wrap a piece (about 10 inches long) of floral tape around the base of the flower, as close to the petals as possible, completely covering the wire.

**The trick is to twist the flower with one hand, while pulling the tape to stretch it (without breaking it) in the other. It gets sticky and will adhere to the stem as you stretch and pull it in a diagonal direction twisting it down the stem.**

When you have the top covered, then attach a silk leaf with the tape, and add some greenery before taping down the entire stem.

Continue to cover all stems and the entire wire with the floral tape.

When you get to the end of the wire, tape back up the stem for a half inch or an inch then pull the tape to break it off and press down the end.

To finish a Boutonniere, take the end of the wire in your pliers and curl it up.

Add a pin and your boutonneire is finished.

To make a corsage, simply make several of these (without the curled bottom), then tape them together, (or onto a wristlet), adding a bow on the bottom or in the center.

Also keep in mind the size of the girl you are making it for. Young girls don't want huge corsages on their tiny wrists. Guys don't want bows and giant flowers on their lapels either - keep it small and tasteful.

The entire process is the same if you're using silk flowers.

You can often purchase corsage boxes from your local florist. I bought a box of clear bags, and some opalescent easter grass for a professional presentation.

Place your flowers in a box or bag, spritz them with water, and store them in the fridge. I usually don't make fresh flower corsages until the day of an event to ensure freshness.