Wednesday, October 19, 2011

How To Make a Pipe Cleaner Candy Cane Bouquet


A candy cane bouquet makes a wonderful centerpiece. It can also be used to decorate your Christmas tree, wreaths, garland or to set in containers around your home. Pipe cleaners team up with some other basic craft materials to form these beautiful and unique holiday decorations.


Things You'll Need
  • Red and white pipe cleaners
  • Red or green ribbon
  • Sprigs of fake holly or red berries
  • Scissors
  • Magnets with adhesive backs (optional)
  • Decorative container (optional)
  • Fake snow confetti (optional)
  • Glitter (optional)

STEP 1:
Lay one red pipe cleaner and one white pipe cleaner parallel next to each other.

STEP 2:
Pinch the top ends of the pipe cleaners together and twist them into a small ball to secure them to one another.

STEP 3:
Gently fold one pipe cleaner over the top of the other like a braiding motion. Do this until you have twisted the whole length of them together and have red and white candy cane swirls down the length of the pipe cleaners.

STEP 4:
Twist the bottom ends of the pipe cleaners together into a small ball to keep them from coming unraveled.

STEP 5:
Form the two twisted pipe cleaners into the shape of a candy cane.

STEP 6:
Repeat the previous steps until you have at least five pipe cleaner candy canes made. You can make as many candy canes as you would like for your bouquet, but you need at least five to fill out the bouquet.

STEP 7:
Hold the pipe cleaner candy canes in your hand and arrange them into a circle, with the bent parts of the candy canes pointing out.

STEP 8:
Cut a piece of green or red ribbon to use as a bow for your bouquet.

STEP 9:
Tie the piece of ribbon around your pipe cleaner candy canes and make it into a nice bow.

STEP 10:
Insert sprigs of fake holly or red berries in between the pipe cleaner candy canes to make your bouquet a little more creative.

STEP 11:
Place the bouquet into a decorative holiday container, and pour fake confetti snow around the base of the bouquet to form a nice centerpiece or shelf decoration. Or apply adhesive magnets to the back of the bouquet to apply it to your fridge or other metal location around your home. Visit the resource below for more candy cane holiday crafts.



How to Make Candy Bouquets for Christmas

The Christmas season is filled with get-togethers that call for a gift for the host or hostess. Flower bouquets are common, but a more personal touch can be shown by creating a holiday candy bouquet in festive Christmas colors. Any chocolate fan will appreciate this gift, as will any children in the vicinity.

STEP 1 :
Choose small Hershey kisses and bite-sized candy bars that have Christmas foil wrapping. Pierce each kiss and candy bar with a skewer, so that the candy is right-side up when you hold up the skewer.

 STEP 2 :
Thread two Christmas taffies onto one skewer, one after the other. Make sure that the top taffy is only half way onto the skewer so that the point doesn't stick out. Make several more of these sticks.

 STEP 3:
Thread four Christmas-colored gumdrops onto a skewer, all in a row, sliding each gumdrop down the stick and ending with one gumdrop halfway pierced and sitting on top of the stick.
 
STEP 4: 
Place florist foam in the bottom of the vase. Begin to stick the candy skewers into the foam, starting with the larger pieces and filling in with the smaller and thinner ones.
 
STEP5: 
Fill the vase with marbles or stones when all the candy sticks have been arranged so that there will be more weight at the bottom to help hold the vase upright.
 
STEP 6 :
Pull lengths of curling ribbon along the blade of the scissors to make them curl. Arrange masses of ribbon curls around the base of the sticks at the top of the vase to simulate foliage.

STEP 7 :
Hang candy canes from the edge of the vase, hanging them close enough to touch each other. Continue adding candy canes until they go all around the edge of the vase and you can't fit any more in.



Monday, September 19, 2011

How to make a Mother's Day Candy Bouquet

A candy bouquet is a unique gift for Mother’s Day. It can be customized to tempt the sweet tooth of any mom. The candy bouquet is a gift that can be assembled easily by a novice or experienced crafter. The trick to creating a great Mother’s Day candy bouquet is selecting the right candy for mom.

The candy must be the star of the Mother’s Day candy bouquet. It is important to choose candy that Mom will enjoy. Always consider any allergy or food restrictions. Candy bars that are wrapped in bright colors or those with unique shapes are excellent choices. These vibrant and fun-shaped candies add visual excitement to the bouquet. Solid candy bars are a good choice also as they attach easily to the stems.

Recommended candy bars for a Mother’s Day candy bouquet are the traditional Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, the round York Peppermint Patty, the red-wrapped KitKat, and the yellow-wrapped Butterfinger or Mr. Goodbar. Other good choices are the Baby Ruth, the purple-wrapped Wonka Exceptionals, the 100-Grand bar, Charleston Chews and the red-wrapped Clark bar.

The ingredients and supplies also needed to create a Mother’s Day candy bouquet include a container for the bouquet and the craft materials needed to assemble the bouquet. These materials include floral foam for the bouquet’s base as well as floral wire and tape to create the candy flowers.

Other items needed are wire cutters or a pair of sharp scissors, bamboo skewers, a hot-glue gun and decorative materials like curling ribbon, tissue paper and shred. A low-intensity glue gun works best.

When considering the type of container to hold the candy bouquet, items that work well are large mugs, flowerpots or a small basket. Children can decorate any shaped plastic container for Mom’s candy bouquet holder, creating a designer original.

To create the Mother’s Day candy bouquet, begin by preparing the base container. Cut the floral foam to fit the container’s inside. Leave a two-inch space between the lip of the container and the foam. Set the base aside.




Creating Candy Flowers

The first step is to wrap one bamboo skewer with floral tape so it looks like a green flower stem. Each flower will require one wrapped skewer. It is easiest to lay each candy bar on a flat service and then proceed to attach one skewer to the backside of each bar. First, place a small piece of floral tape to the wrapper where the skewer will be attached. Attach the skewer with a dot of
hot glue. Wrap curling ribbon around the area where the skewer and candy bar meet. Curl the ends of the ribbon for a frilly, finished look. Repeat this process for each candy bar flower.

Arranging the Candy Bouquet

Each of the candy flowers need to be poked into the floral foam that was set inside the bouquet’s container. To vary the height of the candy flowers, cut lengths from the skewers. Alternate the different shaped candy flowers, as you would arrange a floral bouquet. Keep the arrangement fun and whimsical. There is no right or wrong way to arrange a Mother’s Day candy bouquet. Kids can help poke the stems into the foam with ease. To hide the floral foam, cover with colorful shred or crinkled tissue paper. Add a few brightly-wrapped Dove Chocolate bites or wrapped hard candies on top of the shred or tissue paper.

Finishing Touches

A Mother’s Day candy bouquet can be presented wrapped or unwrapped. Clear cellophane works best. It can be found with the gift-wrapping supplies in sheets or as a bag that can be slipped over the bouquet. Attach a personal note or card for Mom with a sprig of curling ribbon.

Presenting a mom with a Mother’s Day candy bouquet is a whimsical way to show appreciation. As a homemade gift, it can be as elaborate or economical as needed. The key to any type of creative gift is to remember to have fun while crafting and that enjoyment will be reflected in the final product.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

How to make a Valentine's Day Cookie Bouquet

A Valentine’s Day cookie bouquet is a great way to show how much you care, whether it is for co-workers or that special someone.  Homemade cookies are almost always welcome, and the cookie bouquet is a great way to enhance an old fashioned treat.

Begin by gathering what you will need for your cookie bouquet, a basket, bowl, bud vase, an old enamel cup just something to use for a base. The size of the base will determine how many cookies you will need, for example one or two cookies for a bud vase.  If a larger base is used, a piece of Styrofoam or florists foam can be covered in gift wrap or tissue paper and glued in the base to hold the cookie stems. You will need either a sugar cookie mix or use the recipe included, you can also use a sugar cookie roll found in the refrigerator section at your local grocery store. You will need a variety of heart shaped cookie cutters, wooden skewers for stems, and some decorating items, which can be as simple as colored sugar crystals or as detailed as you want.  Some favorites for decorating, white and chocolate chips melted for dipping, frosting, glaze, candy hearts, and other cake décor items generally in red and white theme.

Before preparing cookies cut skewers (Popsicle sticks will work) to a variety of lengths creating a more interesting bouquet, use sand paper or an emery board on the cut end of skewers to smooth them, soak skewers in water briefly while you roll out the cookie dough. This will help prevent them from burning while the cookies bake.


Sugar Cookie recipe: First set oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together until creamy, ½ cup butter or margarine
 2 egg
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking powder.

Stir in 2 cups flour this should make a fairly stiff dough. Divide dough into quarters, flour work surface lightly and working with one quarter at a time roll dough to about one third inch thickness slightly thicker than standard sugar cookies. Cut out heart shaped cookies in several sizes.  Place cookies one at a time on a cookie sheet insert the flat end of a moist skewer into each cookie before placing the next cookie on the sheet, be careful to leave room for expansion so that no skewer goes into or over another cookie.  You may choose to sprinkle colored sugar crystals on part of the cookies at this time.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven.  Cool 5 minutes on pan then remove to cooling
rack you can also complete cookie cooling on a dish towel sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar.
Melt chocolate or white chocolate chips (use a container large enough to dip all or half of largest cookie) over warm water. Dip only cookies baked without sugar crystals or décor.  Lay on waxed paper or plastic wrap place any candy decorations on at this time, the place in refrigerator until chocolate is dry to touch.

Decorate cookies with frosting as desired allow frosting to set.  To maintain freshness wrap each heart cookie individually in plastic wrap, (colored wrap if you choose).  Gather the wrap around the skewer at the base of each cookie, tie with ¼ inch gift wrap ribbon leaving sufficient ribbon to curl or tie in a bow.


Arrange cookies in the prepared base, start by pushing the pointed end of the skewer into the foam, tallest cookies in the center of the arrangement.  It is generally more attractive if you mix different types of decorated cookies, for example mix unfrosted sugar sprinkled cookies with dipped and frosted cookies at the various levels.

Add finishing touches to the arrangement by scattering paper heart confetti, bits of curled tissue, or conversation hearts around the base.   Red and/or white bows or even a red and white gingham bow can provide a finishing touch.

Friday, July 15, 2011

9 Easy Steps to Make Candy Bouquets for Business

9 Easy Steps to Make Candy Bouquets for Business – Candy bouquets are a new take on the candies and flowers we normally give as gifts or tokens to friends and loved ones in a candy baskets. Candy bouquets make eye catching centerpieces and delicious personal gifts. There are a variety of ways to make these bouquets. Popular types are those made with foil wrapped candies or candy bars, chocolate bouquets and candy flower bouquets. And it can be a good sideline make at home business, too, especially on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and other occasions.

9 Easy Steps to Make Candy Bouquets for Business – Candy bouquets are a new take on the candies and flowers we normally give as gifts or tokens to friends and loved ones in a candy baskets. Candy bouquets make eye catching centerpieces and delicious personal gifts. There are a variety of ways to make these bouquets. Popular types are those made with foil wrapped candies or candy bars, chocolate bouquets and candy flower bouquets. And it can be a good sideline make at home business, too, especially on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and other occasions.


MATERIALS AND APPROXIMATE PRICES:

• a pair of scissors
• measuring tape
• mini glue gun
• 1 mini glue stick (P2.46)
• 7 pieces of chocolates (preferably the Ferrero Rocher brand) (P14.67 each)
• 7 balloon sticks and caps (P2.75 each set)
• 1 flower accent (P10 each)
• 7 flowerets (P3 for a bunch of 5)
• curling ribbon (11/3-yard long)
• 0.65 yard ribbons (one-inch wide) (P10.50 per yard)
• a bow (P11.75)
• floral tape (3.5-yard long, size 12mm x 33m) (P40 per 33-meter roll)
• 2 sheets of non-woven wrapper (P16.50 per sheet, which can make 22 pieces)
• scotch tape (18mm x 25m) (P7 per roll)

Procedure on How to Make Candy Bouquets:
Step 1: Cut the balloon stick in two. Glue one end of the stick to a balloon cap.

Step 2: Wrap the balloon stick with floral tape to make it look like a real stem. Stretch the floral tape as you cover the length of the stick to make its adhesive hold more firmly.

Step 3: Glue the tin-wrapped chocolate to its paper wrapper and then to the balloon cap.

Step 4: Cut the non-woven wrapper into 8 cm by 18 cm pieces. Wrap this piece like a cone around the
balloon cap. Secure it to the balloon stick with a 17- cm curling ribbon. Curl the ribbon’s ends.

Step 5: Glue a floweret between the ribbon curls. Follow the same steps for the number of chocolate flowers you’d like in the bouquet.

Step 6: To make a bouquet, gather several candy flowers and tape the sticks together tightly, forming it into a pyramid.

Step 7: Wrap the candy flowers in two layers of non-woven wrappers to create pleats.

Step 8: Tie an inch-wide ribbon around the bouquet to secure it. Attach a bow over the ribbon.

Step 9: For a fancier bunch, add artificial flowers at the lower portion of the bouquet.

To compute its selling price, simply add to the production cost a 150-percent mark-up for a per-stick sale, and 40 percent to 75 percent mark-up if sold per bunch.

Hence, a candy flower costs P21.97 to make and can be sold for P55. A bunch of seven candy flowers costs P207.40 to make and can be sold for P300 to P350.

TIPS to improve your bouquet-making skills:

• Experiment with different styles of candy bouquets, using various candies like lollipops.
• Re-use flower accents, flowerets, bows, and ribbons from old stocks.
• Take photos of your creations and use these in replicating designs or in presenting to clients.
• Browse the Web for sites and companies where you can market your product.
• Buy materials in bulk at Divisoria or Quiapo where these are cheaper.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Advantages Of A Candy Bouquet As A Gift

A sweet bouquet can be presented to anyone. You could give it to your brothers or sisters, mom and dad, co-workers, family, work associates, and a good deal more. You can certainly not go wrong with this gift mainly because anyone definitely wants some sweets.

A candy bouquet is usually given out in almost any occasion such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays, get-togethers, and the likes. It is also not a drawback if you do not know how to make one. You'll be able to just buy it online or try out those through the northern suburbs of Brisbane such as the Brisbane candy bouquets. There is no need to worry about anything as this service is available Australia wide and that is certainly very hassle-free.

The candy bouquet can be an combination of varied candy. It is put into a gift basket, mug, vases, and some other varieties. They may be individually hand crafted so that their quality is assured. They also carry out various themes similar to flowers, miniatures, and a whole lot more. In reality, there are quite a few styles that you can select from and it is just for you to decide to look for those that will suit your taste and choice.

This really is rather more functional because a candy bouquet cannot just be eaten. You can also use its colorful containers for other purposes. As a matter of fact, you can also re-use them and send them as gifts to other people. Definitely, nothing will go to waste with a candy bouquet.

However, if you are planning to purchase online a candy bouquet, there are additionally some things that you have got to take into consideration. The product packaging should also be good especially if it can be sent to a very far place. You could also consider the nutritional value of the candy bouquet, especially if the individual that the gift is intended for is older or has been recently ill. Without doubt, the price tag also need to be considered although this should never be your top concern.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

How To Make A Candy Bouquet : Candy Arrangement

If you are looking for unique gift ideas, then homemade gifts using candy are a great fit.Making candy bouquets is fun. Candy arrangements make delicious homemade gifts for any occasion. Who doesn't like candy?:) Below you will find instructions how to make a candy bouquet -candy sundae “It is a girl”. It makes a cute baby shower gift.

Materials used to make this candy bouquet gift: a Sundae glass , starlight mint hard candies (white with red stripes on the edge with clear wrappers), pink cellophane, pink ribbon, a stick candy, 16 or 18 gauge stem wire, floral foam, small silk pink flowers, one silk white carnation, green floral tape, pink fury yarn, and scissors.

Step 1 : Prepare the Sundae glass. Instead of the glass you can use a baby theme container (pink for a girl and blue for a boy)


Step 2 :
Fill the glass with the starlight mint hard candies, leaving some space for the floral foam.


Step 3 :

a) Cut the floral foam so it fits firmly into the Sundae glass. You can use half a Styrofoam ball of a proper diameter or just cut a piece of floral foam yourself.

Cut 2 pieces of pink cellophane. Put the piece of floral foam in the center of these cellophane pieces.

Using two cellophane pieces instead of one gives a fuller appearance.

b) Pull the cellophane up around the foam and insert it in the glass.

c) Cover the foam with the pink decorative grass securing it with floral pins as necessary.


Step 4 :
It is time to make some candy flowers.

a) Wire and tape 3 candies on each stem wire. Make several candy flowers like that.

b) Tie a pink curling ribbon around each candy flower stem.


Step 5 :
Arrange candy flowers you just made in the glass.


Step 6 : Insert small silk pink flowers in the foam between the candy flowers.

Step 7 :Insert a white silk carnation at the back of the bouquet.

Note: You can use fresh flowers instead of silk ones. If you use fresh flowers, you will need to use Oasis floral foam soaked in water. If you decide to go with the fresh flowers, wrap soaked in water Oasis in clear food plastic wrap before putting it into the glass, so your won't make your candy all wet.


Step 8 :
Insert the stick candy next to the white carnation.

If the stick candy is not long enough, attach a piece of stem wire to the back of the stick candy using scotch tape before inserting it in the arrangement.

Secure a beautiful pink bow the front of the sundae glass using hot glue or double sided tape.

To make it extra special you can add a homemade greeting card or a stuffed toy.

Congratulations on your beautiful candy sundae! For the Candy Sundae “It is a boy” , the color scheme of the candy bouquet should be the color blue.

The more you practice making candy arrangements, the easier it gets. You can involve your kids in candy crafts. They love making edible crafts; there is always a chance of eating something tasty:)

Saturday, June 18, 2011

How To Make A Fun Table Decoration For Your Wedding : Candy Bouquets

When I first started making bouquets I was always trying to find different things to use in place of flowers. One thing I found that is fun and different to use is candy.

Candy bouquets make wonderful gifts and they are a great talking point at weddings and receptions.

They are really easy to make, and the end result is always popular. This is probably because, not only are they colorful and fun, but they’re edible as well!

You can make many different types of candy bouquets- In this article I will show you how to make a candy bouquet in a teracotta pot, which will look absolutely spectacular…

To make your own candy bouquet flower-pot, you will need:

1 Medium terracotta pot

1 Packet of lollipops or wrapped chocolates

1 Dried oasis brick

1 Piece of floristry wire

5 White roses purple centres

7 Purple roses


- Floristry wire and stem tape( if using chocolates)

Step 1: Cut The Oasis

Using a piece of floristry wire to cut the oasis, so it will fit into the terracotta pot. Make sure it fits in the pot firmly as you will be pushing the lollipop sticks, flowers and leaves into it.

Step 2: Trim The Flowers

The pot I am using is small so I will cut the flowers down. Cut just a little above half way down the stem.
You do not need to wire or tape any of the flowers, just use the wire they are already on.

Note: If you are using wrapped chocolates you will need to wire and tape them.

Step 3: Fan The Leaves

Place your leaves around the edge of the teracotta pot. If you slightly overlap the leaves you will get a nice fan effect which will make the finished pot look much more realistic.

Note: You may need to use one of the cut pieces of flower stem to put holes in the oasis for the leaves to go in.

Step 4: Insert The Roses

Place one rose in the centre of the pot. Push the next rose in at an angle near the edge of the pot, and do the same with the next rose on the otherside of the pot. Keep doing this until all the flowers are in the pot.

Step 5: Insert Candy and Leaves

Now all you need to do to finish the candy bouquet is to fill the bouquet in with the candy and leaves…

Place a lollipop between each flower, and keep doing this until all the lollipops are used.

If you have any more gaps fill them in with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add A Ribon

As a nice finishing touch to the candy bouquet flower pot, you can place a ribbon bow around the pot. You could also paint the pot before putting the flowers in. Even add a figure of eight bow at the front edge of the pot if you wish.

A candy bouquet flower-pot makes a lovely table decoration for any occasion. The good thing about this decoration is that you can just replace the lollipops once they get eaten.

Friday, May 6, 2011

How To Make a Candy Bouquet

A bouquet is usually made just from flowers, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
You can make your bouquet more interesting by adding other items, such as candy.

Yeah, you read correctly, I said, Candy!

Candy Bouquets are fun to make, look great, and they are a fantastic talking piece. I
promise that everyone that sees your candy bouquet will feel compelled to comment
on it. Young children in particular, will be absolutely delighted when they see your
candy bouquet!

To make a candy bouquet, you will need:

5 Silk Rose Buds
2 Thin Gauge wires
1 Thick Gauge wire
9 Lollipops.
Silk Leaves
Stem tape (green or white)
Ribbon



Step 1: Trimming the lollipops
Trim the lollipop sticks to about an inch or two in length, or just below the wrapper.
Later, we will wire and tape the sticks just like normal flowers. We do this so that the
lollipops can be moved around and positioned more easily.

Step 2: Trimming the Rose Buds
Trim the stems on the rose bud heads, and then wire and tape them.


Step 3: Wire the lollipops


To wire the lollipops you will have to put a twist in the wire around the stick of the lollipop. You will probably have to do this twice, to make sure that the wire is tight and wont come loose. The easiest way to do this is to use long-nosed plyers, and to squeeze the wire around the stick.


Step 4: Wire and Tape the Pearlies


Although you don’t need pearlies in your candy bouquet, they can work well to
soften the bouquet, and make it appear more like an everyday floral bouquet.
Wire and tape the pearlies. Place the wire alongside the white part of the pearly
strand, and then stem tape in place.


Step 5: Assemble the Candy Bouquet


Now start to assemble the candy bouquet. Start the bouquet with the lollipops in a
bunch, in one hand.

Then slowly insert the leaves between the lollipops.

Fan the lollipops into a circular shape, with the leaves facing out.

Place the flowers in next, keeping two lollipops between each flower.

Fill any gaps left over at the end, with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add Figure-of-Eight Bows

Make eight figure-of-eight bows, for the last layer of the candy bouquet, and fan
them around the base. You can use normal ribbons or curling ribon.

Step 7: Prepare the handle

The last step in making a candy bouquet is to trim and tape the handle.

That’s it! Simple isn’t it?

All you have to do now, is resist eating the bouquet long enough for some other people to see it!