| Sharp tools are a must in floral designing. A sharp | | | | is also available in a variety of gauges. |
| knife used for cutting flowers stems will make | | | | Greening pins are u-shaped wire, much like a |
| clean cuts without crushing the stems. A clean cut | | | | hairpin, and are used to hold moss to foam. |
| is imperative in aiding water absorption by the | | | | Wooden picks have a wire attached to one end |
| flower stem. A folding pocket knife with a quality | | | | and are used to cluster dried materials together in |
| blade is the best, longest lasting knife. Other | | | | foam, attaché bows to plants and to |
| cheaper knives with plastic handles won't last as | | | | extend the length of a stem. Chenille stems come |
| long nor will they cut heavy stems. | | | | in a variety of colors and are used to secure |
| Sharp scissors are necessary to cut ribbon cleanly | | | | bows. Chenille stems look like large pipe cleaners. |
| and neatly. Ribbon scissors must be used only to | | | | Floral foam comes in heavy or light weight |
| cut ribbon and fabric. Cutting just one wire with | | | | depending on the flowers being used. To soak the |
| your ribbon scissors will ruin them. Serrated | | | | foam place it in a sink filled with water, do not |
| scissors are heavy duty multipurpose scissors | | | | dunk it under the water. Let the foam float and fill |
| that can be used to cut wire and woody stems. | | | | naturally, thus assuring you will have no dry spots |
| Wire cutters with a spring are easier to operate | | | | in the middle of the foam. It will sink to the |
| when cutting wire and corsage stems. Wire | | | | bottom as it absorbs water. |
| cutters have a short blade and are ideal for | | | | Ribbon comes in a rainbow of colors and a variety |
| cutting heavy materials. | | | | of widths. The bigger the number the wider the |
| Floral tape is waxed crepe paper that will stick to | | | | ribbon will be. # 3 ribbon is generally used in |
| its self when stretched. It is used to cover floral | | | | corsages and bud vases. Plants are usually |
| wire for use in corsages and bouquets. | | | | dressed with #9 as are most pew bows. Funeral |
| Waterproof tape is used to secure floral foam in | | | | work requires a wider width such as a #40. The |
| a container. It is available in green, white and clear | | | | most commonly used ribbon is satin, however, |
| colors in ¼ or ½ inch widths. | | | | there is a great variety of ribbon available today. |
| Florist wire is usually green and comes in precut | | | | Wired ribbon holds its shape for use in |
| 18 inch lengths. Sizes vary from #16 (the heaviest | | | | decorations, wreaths and Christmas trees. Printed |
| gauge) to # 30 (the lightest gauge). Several | | | | ribbon has a wide range of uses in decorating. |
| gauges are necessary in design work to make | | | | Lacey, silky ribbon is available for use in wedding |
| corsages and bouquets, strength stems and to | | | | bouquets and corsages. |
| bind materials together. The most common | | | | Tools and supplies may be purchased at crafts |
| gauges used in floral design are #18, 20, 22 and | | | | stores, fabric shops and department stores as |
| 24. Paddle wire is on a spool in a continuous | | | | well as your local florists. With the variety of tools |
| strand that may be used to create garlands and | | | | and supplies readily available today you are limited |
| wreaths and to bind together heavy materials. It | | | | only by your imagination. So imagine away! |