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KIAlright DIY brides.
Grab your coffee and let’s chat about the magic trick pros use that makes your compote vase hold its own like a champ. ✨
It’s called the chicken wire technique (sounds weird, I know.)
But here’s the deal: it gives your blooms a solid base so they stay put, look gorgeous, and don’t flop over like a sad balloon.
Think of chicken wire as a secret little cage inside your vase.
It gives your flowers something to lean against so they don’t flop around or slide to one side.
Each stem slots into the gaps, crossing and criss-crossing until they basically lock themselves into place.
Why we love it
🌸It keeps your stems right where you want them so it’s perfect for light and airy styles
🌸You can still fill your vase with water (which = happy, long-lasting flowers!).
🌸It’s reusable and eco-friendly (you can get floral specific wire that is coated green for extra longevity)
🌸Perfect for compotes, bowls, or wide-mouth vases where flowers need a little help standing tall.
BUT a lil word of warning…
Once you’ve got a bunch of stems in there, it can get a bit unforgiving. The grid you created with your stems keeps everything tight, especially towards the end of creating your design, so you’ll need to commit to your placement early on (cause I’ve destroyed my fair share of arrangements trying to move a stem I didn’t like! Tip: just snip the damn thing out)
INSTRUCTIONS
1️⃣ Cut a piece of chicken wire about 2-3 times wider than your vase opening.
2️⃣ Roll it into a loose ball or tube shape and pop it in your vase.
3️⃣ Optional: add a flower frog (that spiky metal disc or pin-holder thing) to the base, for extra support for heavier stems.
4️⃣ Secure everything with pot tape in a criss-cross grid over the top (I also add lil bits of tape horizontally for extra security)
5️⃣ Fill your vase with water and you’re ready to start!
✨ Want to learn every florist trick I use for weddings, made easy for beginners? Comment FLOWERS and I’ll send you the link to my DIY Flower Guide.
🌸 Or hit follow and join the most supportive DIY bride community on the internet. You totally got this.
@kimberley_flower.expert
