In this kit you will find all of the materials and instructions to create a selection of traditional wirework flowers

The Cloisterwork method of making wire flowers has a long history. Using what were originally some of the most expensive materials - real gold and silver wires along with precious stones - beautiful flowers were created, often by nuns (which is where the name comes from). These glittering displays caught the light from both candles and stained glass windows adding sparkle to the dark churches and chapels. These techniques are still used in Austria and Switzerland, as well as in many modern passementerie items.

This kit contains instructions and materials for 7 different styles, with plenty of extra materials to make at least two of each design. Finished flowers can be used together to create posies and arrangements (they can be used alongside any other ganutell flower of course) or to create jewellery, embellishments and for ornamentation on other crafts.

Contents:

• 12m silver plated copper wire
• 12m gilt copper wire
• 6m copper wire
• 4 lengths of silver bullion
• 4 lengths of gilt bullion
• 10m crinkle wire
• 1 length of knitted wire
• 1 length of perl wire
• beads
• winding stick
• acrylic tool
• full instructions

Ganutell is the name for small flowers created using wire and thread. One of the simplest forms of ganutell are the flowers created using a coiled wire. The word is derived form cannetile (French), cannotiglio (Italian) and canotilla (Spanish) – which means coiled wire. In English, we call this wire 'perl' because it resembles a string of beads when tight.

These coiled wire flowers have been made in Europe since at least the 15th century – they were used to decorate churches and shrines. Variations are still made in modern passementerie to use as embellishments, and traditional church decorations are still made in Malta using these techniques