Floral Dog Collar

Here is a quick and easy method for a design project for your pet-loving clients. You’d be surprised by how many of these we sell!

Supplies:

• 4 pipe cleaners (I choose a color similar to the dog’s fur)

• Oasis floral glue

• A piece of ribbon

• Small, non-wilting floral elements. Choose non-toxic flowers if owners think their pet might somehow eat their collar (we’ve never had a problem like this).

Technique:

Make a looped chain with the pipe cleaners to serve as your network for adhering the flowers. Make sure that you glue the flowers directly to the pipe cleaner structure, as opposed to layering them on top of each other or starting with some sort of greenery base. You want each element to be glued on separately in case one piece gets caught or pulled off. I work the flowers in based on how they look and fit together. I don’t follow a symmetrical pattern - I think that looks a bit too forced and unnatural, but you can approach these designs however you like. Add a length of ribbon for tying the collar on.

STORAGE:

When finished, I spray the design with water and I put it in an airtight tote in the cooler. It rests and hydrates overnight.

PACKAGING:

We send all of our delicate personal flower work out in craft paper boxes like those you see in the background of this photo. We add a little tissue paper and stamp or sticker our company name on. You can find these kinds of boxes at PaperMart.com .

Variations:

• This can also be a nice way to build a floral lapel design. They seem to be a popular/upcoming trend. The lapel designs are more luxurious than your standard boutonnière or pocket square design. They take up an entire jacket lapel.

• Try making flower crowns this way. This is an easy way to get the look of a large headpiece without the weight and wiring work.

• Or make a beautiful floral belt. There are really so many options!