Crafting Blossoms from Tissue Paper: Intricate Open and Closed Bouquets
In a world where creativity meets therapy, Claire Donovan-Blackwood, an Arts & Crafts Specialist and CEO of Heart Handmade UK, shares her knowledge on making beautiful tissue paper roses. This article, last updated on July 21, 2025, has been viewed 358,578 times and is filled with practical tips, a video, Q&A, and a list of things you'll need.
Heart Handmade UK, a site dedicated to helping people live a happy, creative life, is proud to present this tutorial. Claire Donovan-Blackwood, who uses art as a form of therapy and focuses on mindfulness, makes crafting easy and accessible for all.
Materials Needed: - Tissue paper sheets (toilet paper or colored tissue paper) - Small paper cup or round object to trace - Scissors - Glue (PVA or craft glue) - Felt-tip markers (for coloring, optional) - Spray bottle with water (optional, for color blending) - Floral wire or sticks (for stems, optional)
To make tissue paper roses, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Tissue Paper Circles - Stack multiple sheets (e.g., 5-ply) of tissue paper. - Place a small cup upside down on the tissue paper stack and trace around the bottom to create circles. - Cut out the circles carefully. - Separate the circles so you have around 20 circles.
Step 2: Add Color to Petals (Optional) - Use felt-tip markers to draw lines: - Dark color along the circle edges. - Light color lines radiating from the center. - Lay the circles flat on a plastic sheet. - Spray lightly with water to let the color spread (creates a watercolor-like effect). - Let them dry completely.
Step 3: Form the Rose Base (Using a Cup or Glass) - Cut the bottom off a small paper cup or use a wine glass base. - Lay one circle over the rim and glue the edge. - Overlap another circle on top and glue, continuing around to cover the entire rim with the first layer of petals.
Step 4: Build Up Layers of Petals - For the next layers, place each tissue circle *between* the petals of the previous layer, offsetting them so the rose looks fuller. - Continue gluing each petal layer until you use all except the last circle.
Step 5: Add the Bottom Cover - Apply glue to the last remaining circle and place it on the bottom of the flower base (the cup or glass). - This secures the rose petals in place.
Step 6: Remove the Rose from the Mold - Carefully flip the cup and gently pull the tissue paper rose off. - Adjust the petals to create a natural look.
For a more open rose appearance, gently fan out or curl the edges of the tissue petals. You may also add additional loose petals around the rose to simulate blooming. For a closed rose appearance, keep the petals more tightly together and use fewer layers, tucking the petals closer to the center.
Optional: Add a Stem - Attach floral wire or stick wrapped with green florist tape at the base of the flower.
This method creates delicate, realistic roses using easily accessible materials and a simple mold (paper cup or glass rim). It’s great for decoration, gifts, or party décor.
Claire Donovan-Blackwood's expertise in arts and crafts shines through in this tutorial, making it easy for anyone to create beautiful tissue paper roses. Whether you're decorating a wedding reception hall or wrapping a gift, these roses are sure to bring a touch of elegance and charm.
- For a creative upgrade to your lifestyle, explore Heart Handmade UK's tutorial on making lovely tissue paper roses for fashion-and-beauty enhancements or home-and-garden decorations.
- Enhance your food-and-drink gatherings by learning how to make these stunning tissue paper roses from Claire Donovan-Blackwood, providing an artistic and unique touch to your dishes and table settings.
