Last Updated on March 30, 2024
Learn how quick and easy it is to create a beautiful wrist corsage for any occasion using cold glue.
Making a wrist corsage using “old school” wire and tape techniques requires skill, patience, and practice.
This tutorial will teach you how to make a wrist corsage (aka “Flower Jewelry”) using cold glue, a method that has been adopted by nearly everyone in the floral industry now, especially today’s generation of designers.
In my experience, cold floral adhesive saves hours of design time, It allows me to quickly create unique wrist corsage designs that would otherwise be impossible using wire and floral tape.
This video tutorial will show how using cold glue and a few of your favorite flowers can take your floral design skill to the next level.
What is Cold Floral Glue?
Cold floral glue from Oasis® is a waterproof liquid adhesive formulated for fresh flower use specifically. It’s also known as cold glue, cold floral adhesive, and flower glue. It’s the floral industry’s most recognized brand of cold liquid adhesive.
Why Should You Glue Corsages?
Cold floral glue is perfect for creating beautiful wrist corsages and other flowers to wear.
When I started, wiring and taping corsages and boutonnieres were how they were put together. While I still wire and tape some corsages, there are several reasons why I’ve become a “cold glue convert”.
1. Easy Application: Cold floral glue is very easy to use. Place a dab of glue on your flower, then press the flower heads into place. You don’t have to worry about using too much pressure or force. Remove the flower quickly and then reinsert it. It will strongly bond because you have coated both surfaces with glue.
2. It Dries Quickly: Cold glue dries quickly, but not instantly. If you’ve properly glued your flowers, your corsage will be ready to wear after you’ve finished it. I like to give it about 10-15 minutes or so. It’s best to allow an hour or so for the glue to dry thoroughly before refrigerating your design.
3. It Won’t Damage Flowers: Formulated to use on fresh flowers and foliage, cold glue won’t damage flowers. Applied properly, it cauterizes the bloom and helps preserve it by sealing in moisture.
4. It Dries Clear: When making any floral design, you never want your mechanics to show. Cold floral glue is transparent and dries clear, eliminating that problem.
5. It Holds Well When Refrigerated: If you plan to make your corsage a day or two ahead, you can store it in the refrigerator without the glue becoming brittle or the bond failing.
6. Allows More Flower Choices: African violets, delphinium, waxflower, and larkspur blooms are time-consuming and difficult to wire. With cold floral adhesive, you can easily incorporate these small, fragile blooms and others like them into your corsage.
7. It Allows You To Prep In Advance: Cold glue lets you finish all your prep work days in advance, just adding any fresh materials at the end. For proms and weddings, we begin our prep work early in the week by gluing artificial leaves and ribbon to a floral bracelet, tagging it, and then setting it aside to be finished later.
This short video will give you additional design and clean-up tips when using cold floral glue.
Using Cold Glue: The Bottom Line
When I first started using cold glue to make corsages I faced a learning curve. It took some practice to get the hang of it, but once I did, I created beautiful corsages in no time.
However, I still find that traditional wiring and taping techniques haven’t been completely replaced by cold glue for me. At least, not yet.
I’ve learned that cold glue is only as effective as the surface you are gluing to. To ensure maximum bonding, it’s important to ensure that the flower and the placement area are ready for glue. If, for any reason the glue fails, having wire and tape handy is a lifesaver.
That said, mastering the art of gluing corsages has its upsides. Once you do, your creative inspiration will flourish, and you’ll be able to create stunning wrist corsages and other floral accessories to wear.
The process may have its challenges, but the results are worth it.
Want To Get More Tips Like This?
If so, sign up here. I’ll notify you whenever I post new tips or updates.
We will only use your information to send you our blog updates. You can change your mind anytime by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from us. You can find details about our privacy practices here.
You can also get more tips on my social media pages, so why not follow me there?
Also, if you enjoyed this post, please do me a favor and share it with your friends.
Til next time,
