How to Make Floral Craft Arrangements

Choose the colors for the arrangement you want to make. For a relaxing display, use two to three shades of the same color, such as red, pink and a very light pink. For bold arrangements use contrasting colors like yellow and purple or red and green.

Find a vase or container that matches the colors you've chosen, or choose a clear container. Fill the bottom of a transparent vase with colored pebbles and glass beads to support it while still looking pretty.

Use floral foam in the bottom of a vase that you cannot see through. Stick fake flowers into the foam to hold them in place. Floral wire can be used to hold the stems together.

Cut the plastic stems so the flowers stick out of the vase, but do not let them stick out so far that they fall out. Use varying heights to add balance. If you are using only one type of flower, cut them to the same height to create a bouquet look.

Add green plants or small flowers, known as filler flowers, to balance an arrangement. These can be fake leaves, or long slender blades of grass. They balance the colors and help an arrangement flow.

Cut live flower stems at an angle using small shears. Live flowers will not last very long like fake flowers will. Follow the same elements of design suggested for fake flowers, but do not use floral foam. Instead, use floral wire or tape to hold the stems together.

Cut the leaves off the flower stem. Remove all the leaves, or leave the top leaves for decoration and remove those that will be inside the vase or container.

Choose a long, slender vase to support tall flowers. Add water to the bottom and add flower food to the water to help keep the flowers alive longer.