Fresh flower napkin ring

Create a talking point for dinner guests with stylish napkin rings made from fresh flowers that complement both traditional and modern settings.

1 Wiring the lilies
Using a sharp knife, cut the stem of an open lily 1cm (1⁄2in) below the flower. Push a stub wire through the stem into the base of flower. Repeat with a closed bud. Tape together by holding binding tape against top of the wires and twisting wires as you wind the tape diagonally downwards.

2 Adding the leaves
Choose two lily leaves, wire as described in Step 1, and position them behind the flower. Add two strands of bear grass and secure each end under the leaves to form loops. Bind all the wires and stems together with florists’ tape, and trim the surplus wire using wire cutters.

3 Creating the ring
Hold a piece of florists’ tape against the tube and wrap a long strand of bear grass around the tube several times, not too tightly. Secure the grass circle with the tape and carefully slip the circle off the tube.

4 Completing the ring
Bind the taped group of flowers and leaves to the circle of bear grass. Re-adjust the flowers as necessary. Lightly mist the decoration with a water spray and keep in a plastic box in the refrigerator until needed. At the last moment, carefully slip your napkin through the ring.


Variations...
To achieve a modern look to complement a contemporary table setting, use a Star Gazer lily. Loop the circles of bear grass over a squat candle, and place near each table setting.