Perpetual Flora

French beaded flowers and bouquets are a celebration of seed beads. While not a statement on their own, the simple seed bead is used to create intricate structures of beauty. Learn a bit more about the craft:

History

The art of French beaded flowers is believed to have emerged sometime in 16th century Europe, though exact origins are unknown. By the 19th and 20th centuries, beaded flowers were made into wreaths—called immortelles—and placed upon graves, a practice which speaks to the perpetuity and symbolic nature of the flowers.

Process

For most flowers, the process begins by stringing thousands of beads onto copper wire. Once strung, beads are measured out and the wire is folded and twisted to make petal shapes or other elements of flower anatomy. Flowers and branches are typically made by assembling a series of smaller, separately-made elements, likes petals or leaves. 

Purpose

Beaded flowers are designed to simply exist, though unlike real flowers, they do not have a point after which they wilt, rot, and need to be discarded. Whether they're birth flowers, replicas of real bouquets, or just a beautiful bouquet, beaded flowers can carry symbolism and memories, while also contributing to your interior design.