| Most of our centerpieces start with a | | | | and cut to approximate size. You really do not |
| Styrofoam® base either square or round. This | | | | have to be precisely in your size, although your |
| makes an ideal platform to add sticks, picks, | | | | cutting edges should be straight. |
| columns, etc., to support your theme pieces. | | | | When using two sheets, place the first one down |
| However, if you present the product as such, it | | | | on a flat work surface or table with the straight |
| would be unappealing and not look professional. | | | | edge of the paper horizontal. The second sheet is |
| You should camouflage your work which will add | | | | placed on top of the first with the corner of the |
| color and excitement to the finished product as | | | | paper pointing up, thus making an eight pointed |
| well. The best way we have found to do that is | | | | star figure. (When working with three sheets, the |
| by adding "Poofs" or "Tufts". | | | | third sheet's corner would go between the |
| This is a variation of the paper flowers we made | | | | corners of the other two papers.) |
| in high school to cover the wire mesh used to | | | | Have your method of attachment ready before |
| make homecoming floats. However, instead of | | | | you take the next step. These can be pins, paper |
| using mesh attached to wood as a base, | | | | clips, wood picks or metal picks. With the later, |
| Styrofoam® is used to give it more rigidity | | | | you will need a professional type machine, readily |
| and help support additional weight. Plus it is much | | | | used to attach flowers to a centerpiece. These |
| lighter than wood and mesh. | | | | come in hand held or table top models. |
| Poofs/Tufts are generally made from squares of | | | | - 1. Put the stacked papers in one hand, find the |
| metallic paper or tissue paper. I prefer metallic | | | | middle of the papers with your pointing finger. |
| paper since it reflects light and comes in deeper | | | | - 2. Fold the papers up to circle the pointing finger. |
| tones that tissue paper. However, tissue paper | | | | - 3. Remove your finger and grasp the point |
| has some applications, especially when particular | | | | made with your finger. |
| colors are not available in metallic. | | | | - 4. Attach your chosen device to the end. |
| I usually use two pieces of metallic paper (each | | | | Open the layers of paper to form an attractive |
| around eight inches, square) for each poof/tuft, | | | | enhancement to your work and attach to the |
| although you can work with three or more. The | | | | support base. You can add items, if you wish, |
| sheets can be purchased ready cut, in nine inch | | | | such as onion grass, ting, or sprays to the poof |
| squares, or you can buy sheets of metallic paper | | | | to make it more dramatic. |