How to Make a Wrist Corsage With Carnations

Mix one packet of floral preservative with a quart of tepid water in a clean bucket.

Hold the stem of each carnation you want to use under the water in the bucket and cut each stem approximately 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the flower. You may want to bundle several stems together for a large statement or use only one flower to make a simple, but elegant, corsage. Remove any foliage that might remain on the stems. Allow the cut carnations to float in the treated water for 3 to 24 hours.

Cut a piece of ribbon approximately 18 inches long. The ribbon should be long enough to wrap around the wearer's wrist and dangle 3 to 4 inches on each side. Find the center point of the ribbon and cut a small slit in it, just wide enough to slide the stems through.

Insert the carnations into the hole. Wind green floral tape around all of the stems. Use enough tape to make the stem bundle too thick to slide back out through the slit in the ribbon.

Apply a dab of floral glue to secure the stems to the ribbon. Allow the glue to dry, and tie the corsage around the wearer's wrist. Trim the loose ends of the ribbon if needed, and cut the ends on an angle for a finishing touch.