Delicate Wire Flowers for Hairpins, Headbands, and Brooches

Step 1

These flowers are made from wire and varnish in literally 15 minutes! They are so simple to make that even a child can do it. 😉

Illustration 2

Step 3

Materials needed:
• 0.3 or 0.4 mm wire;
• round pencil;
• acrylic varnish (for small petals, even regular nail polish will work);
• pliers;
• ruler;
• sponge or styrofoam for drying.
Tutorial
Cut a 20-25 cm length of wire.
Place the pencil over the wire, 5 cm from the end, and twist into a loop. Make two more turns for added rigidity.

Illustration 4

Step 5

Remove the loop.

Illustration 6

Step 7

Make 4 more identical loops next to the first one.

Illustration 8

Step 9

The photo below shows the entire process of making the flower:

Illustration 10

Step 11

Twist the ends of the wire together to form a stem.

Illustration 12

Step 13

Use your fingers or pliers to shape the petals as desired (elongated, rounded, triangular, or with irregular edges).

Illustration 14

Step 15

Hold the flower by the stem and dip its petals into the acrylic varnish. Carefully and slowly remove the flower and let it dry completely. Dip it into the varnish again. Repeat as many times as needed to give the petals a dense, firm structure. I recommend not dipping it into the varnish, but rather applying it over the petal with a brush or a toothpick.

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Step 17

In total, you will need at least three coats of varnish, making sure to let each coat dry completely—this will make the flower sturdy so its petals won't tear upon contact.

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Step 19

The finished flowers can be painted (though personally, I like them just like this—translucent) and used to decorate handmade items. 😉

Illustration 20