Make a Flower Power Photo Backdrop

I’ve got summer on the brain, and that means gearing up to host gatherings with friends: birthday celebrations, barbecues, and of course, Craft Party. I wanted to create a backdrop for these get-togethers that would be simple, cost-effective and easily re-purposed. The result? This colorful (and customizable) curtain of floating flowers. Just hang it against a wall or between two trees and you’ve got an instant backdrop worthy of some serious Instagramming!

You will need:
Silk flowers
Clear nylon thread
Needle
Crimp beads
Flat nosed pliers
Rope (not pictured)

Step 1: Remove the flowers from their stems. Measure out and cut approximately 2 yards of nylon thread and thread your needle.

Step 2: Find the center of your first flower and poke your needle through the center hole to thread your flower onto the garland.

Step 3: Thread on a crimp bead and pull it towards your flower. Using your flat-nosed pliers, crimp the bead close to the stem side of the flower. String on the next flower and crimp the next bead about 8 inches down.

Step 4: Repeat step 2 and 3 until your garland is the desired length of flowers and cut about 6 inches below the last bead you crimped.

Step 5: Make as many garlands as your heart desires; when you’re done, tie the top of your garlands to a rope. To display, hang the rope on a wall using sturdy tape or hooks. After the party, you can hang the flower curtain in front of a window, or use it as wall art.

All photographs by Clare McGibbon.