Twist-Tie Flower

 How to make a twist-tie flower using 3 ties.

Step 1:

You'll need three twist-ties. One light color (for the blossom), two dark (for the leaves).

Step 2:

First, the leaves. Wrap a twist-tie around your favorite finger.

Step 3:

Pull the twist-tie off your finger and you have a lollipop shape.

Step 4:

Grab the top of the lollipop in one hand and the stem in the other and gently tug it into an oval.

Step 5:

Now you have a little balloon shape, or teardrop, if you turn it the other way.

Step 6:

Holding the loop open with your fingers, pinch just the tip of the teardrop, and you have a twist-tie that is shaped somewhat like a leaf.

Step 7:

Repeat this with the other dark twist-tie so you have two leaves.

Step 8:

Now attach the bright tie at the base of one of the leaves.

Step 9:

Attach the other leaf so the stem color covers where the blossom is attached.

Step 10:

Using a thin cylindrical object -- a small pencil or pen, a paintbrush, in this photo: a chopstick -- wrap the bright tie around it in a spiral.

Step 11:

Wrap it all the way down to the leaves. You may want to bend the leaves out of the way first.

Step 12:

Pull out the chopstick and you're done! Gently arrange the flower to your satisfaction. You may need to add another green tie to make the stem longer. Give this to someone you love! For more twist-tie art, visit gideonstevens.com.