Artificial flowers are becoming more lifelike every day, making them gorgeous additions to your wreath and centerpiece projects. More often than not, the stem is just too long to use. So sometimes, you have to cut artificial flower stems to get just the right size or shape. Here’s how to cut flower stems the right way, plus all the tools and tips you’ll want.
Hey, y’all! I use floral art pieces and bouquets all the time and like to add them to my wreaths as well as centerpieces and other arrangements. Since I often work with florals, I regularly have readers ask me about what I use to cut artificial floral stems when I decorate.
These questions, along with the popularity of our favorite wreath-making tools post, made me realize that we needed to share more about the best tools to use for cutting artificial floral stems. Hobby wreath makers and Craftpreneurs, alike, will get a ton of use out of the tools and tips I’m highlighting in today’s post.
Also, be sure to check out our posts on creating video tutorials and the tools you need to make videos!
How To Cut Artificial Flower Stems
Before I get into which tools to have on hand, I thought it would be helpful to give you a quick step-by-step process for how to cut artificial flower stems the right way.
Artificial flowers are becoming more and more lifelike (if you haven’t noticed – go look!). The old plastic flowers have been replaced with stunning silk and cloth variations. However, their stems still contain wire to help them be flexible and hold their shape.
Occasionally, you may find the need to cut the stems of these flowers in order to achieve the right look in your wreaths and other floral arrangements.
If you’ve ever tried to use a pair of regular old scissors to cut these silk flowers, you’ve probably had an oh dang moment. It just doesn’t work (plus, it ruins your scissors)!
You’ve got to use the proper tools to cut those pesky little wires.
Before I talk about the different floral stem cutting tools I recommend, it’s important to know how to use these tools safely.
Process For How To Cut Wire In Artificial Flowers
While cutting artificial flower stems isn’t complicated, following this process ensures everyone’s safety and amazing-looking flowers after you are finished cutting the stems.
- Hold the wire cutters in your right hand and fully open them. Hold the artificial flower in your left hand. Reverse if you are left-handed.
- Place the stem in between the jaws of the wire cutters, all the way up to where the jaws are hinged together.
- Holding the flower and the stem away from your face, close the jaws of the wire cutters quickly and firmly. You’ll hear (and feel) a snap as the wire breaks. Discard the cut end.
- For thicker stems, I recommend using a stem cutter.
- Close any cutter you use before you put it away to avoid finger injuries the next time someone grabs it. Those things are SHARP, y’all!! Safety first – always.
Video Tutorial
I know that different people learn best using different methods, so to help all you visual learners, here’s a quick video showing you the entire process from start to finish.
What Tool Is Used To Cut Artificial Flower Stems?
When it comes to floral design tools, there are a number of different options and each does a different job.
There are several tools I recommend every wreath maker and Craftpreneur have on hand. Based on your project needs, you may use one or need all of them.
Wire Cutters
Wire cutters are a necessity! Use them to cut your floral wire, flower stems, and so many other things that you shouldn’t use your scissors to cut! I’ve found that wire cutters designed for electrical use are the best, as they easily cut through flower stems.
Wire cutters are also helpful because they are good for adjusting artificial flower stems. They come in long, short, sharp, and blunt, to help with all your cutting or bending needs.
Pro Tip: Wire cutters work really well…to a point. They won’t cut through all floral stems (each tool has a different purpose, right?). If you have thick stems, use one of the other tools I mention below.
Bolt Cutters
Hand-held mini bolt cutters work well for artificial flower stems that are a little thicker, but don’t open very wide. Unfortunately, they won’t work well for very thick stems.
Also, if you don’t have enough hand strength, you will have trouble using bolt cutters.
Stem Cutter (a.k.a., Easy Cutter)
A stem cutter is probably the easiest option to help you cut artificial flower stems. It particularly works well when you have to cut larger or thick stems. It can also easily cut metal, wood, and flower stems.
Because it doesn’t take much effort to use and is highly effective, this tool is a must-have if you don’t have good hand strength or when you’re making a huge amount of wreaths (hello, muscle fatigue!).
This little baby will make the production process as quick and easy as possible.
Safety Tip: Be careful, though, because this stem cutter opens wide enough and is strong and sharp enough to cut off a finger! Yikes!
Ribbon Scissors
Can you cut flowers with scissors? My answer: Not if you want your scissors to stay sharp AND be able to cut your ribbons without ripping or fraying them.
Ribbon scissors look like your typical scissors, except with much larger, sharper blades and odd-sized handles for a trigger-like grip. They are designed for cutting ribbon, netting, and fabric.
Also, ribbon scissors should not be used for cutting stems or floral wire, because those items will damage the blades. They’re so handy to use for any ribbons or bows in your project…just make sure to only use them for that purpose.
Tools Safety & Storage
Working with sharp tools can easily lead to accidents, so here are some tips to keep yourself safe.
- Always close your cutting tools after using them, so they don’t cut you next time you reach for them. It might feel like one more step to remember, but it’s an important one!
- When working with wire or other sharp materials that will be part of your final product, wrap it with green floral tape, so it’s both camouflaged and safe.
- Organize your equipment and supplies, so you’re not scrambling to find everything during production.
FAQs
Here are a few questions I see often from readers. If you have any questions, please check to see if I’ve already answered them. If you don’t see your question, be sure to leave it in the comments so I can answer it for you!
What are artificial flower stems made of?
Faux flower stems can come in a variety of materials. They often have a wire core that’s wrapped with floral tape or another green material to make it look more realistic. Sometimes, however, you will come across plastic stems.
No matter what materials they contain, it’s never a good idea to just use scissors to cut them because the scissors aren’t designed to do jobs that heavy-duty!
What are the types of artificial flowers?
There are many different types of faux florals, but the types of artificial florals that we work with the most include sprays, floral bushes, floral picks, and artificial flower stems.
Use the right tools for the job (like these good quality cutting tools) for better quality work with less effort. The right tool can make a huge difference in your productivity AND comfort, I promise!
More Wreath-Making Tools And Resources
- Attaching Wreath Signs: Must-Have Tips & Tools
- Bow Maker Tools- The Great Bow Debate
- How To Calculate The Cost Of Goods Sold For Crafting
- Great Product Photography Tips For Selling On Etsy
- 5 Sanity-Saving Small Business Shipping Tips
Feel free to leave us a comment below or share this post with a friend. We appreciate getting your feedback and can’t way to provide y’all with more amazing content!
If you need any help with centerpiece-making, bow-making, wreath-making, or crafting in general, be sure to check out more of our tutorials on How to Make Wreaths.
We would love to see your beautiful wreaths! Please share with us over at the How To Make Wreaths Facebook Group.
Finally, if you’re interested in more info on learning how to make wreaths, where to buy supplies, and being in a community of like-minded crafters, check out our Creative Coaching Subscription Group.
Just pin these must have tools to cut artificial flowers below to find the instructions later!
If you love to craft, check out our Eat. Sleep. Craft. Repeat. t-shirts and click on the picture below!
What are the best scissors for ribbon cutting? Is there a particular bar and? I use Fiskars and do not use them for anything else.
Where do you purchase the EZ stem cutter?
The best flower stem cutter before you put your bouquet in a vase with water is a nail cutter for big dogs. I am not joking it cuts both thick and thin stems with ease and a clean horizontal cut. Just found out by accident
I have a large stem cutter I bought last year it worked great but this year it won’t cut anything and the edge has cuts in it. Any suggestions?