How to make a pomander (kissing ball)

Our first event of the new year was on Valentine's Day! We planned and designed Sylvia's fiftieth birthday party! The theme was LOVE and the colors were chocolate and red - how perfect!

We hung pomanders, or kissing balls between red and chocolate drapes that had been swagged and tied back. We do not have photos of the room yet, but we did photograph the process and a sample in our studio.

Here are the steps to create your own pomander:

Ingredients:

• 2 pieces of floral wire (approx. 12 in.)


• Floral clippers / stem cutters


• Scissors


• 3" Oasis foam sphere (place in water, leave until it sinks)

• 40 Carnations or similar sized flower (stems cut to 1")


• Crystal garland (optional)

If using crystals, tassels, or other embellishment, thread onto your wire.

Wrap the wire around the soaked foam. (These now come with netting that makes this step unnecessary.)

Twist the wire to form a loop.

Insert several flowers side-by-side to form a row. Offset the next row to fill in the gap. Floral glue may be added and is suggested if the ball will be carried.

Make a loop from coordinating ribbon.

Hang where desired!