diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/flex/FlexUtil.as b/src/as/com/threerings/flex/FlexUtil.as
index 55c4aa57..62f0282d 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/flex/FlexUtil.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/flex/FlexUtil.as
@@ -32,18 +32,31 @@ import mx.core.UIComponent;
 public class FlexUtil
 {
     /**
-     * How hard would it have been for them to make Label accept an optional text argument?
+     * Creates a label with the supplied text and tooltip, and optionally applies a style class to
+     * it.
      */
-    public static function createLabel (text :String, style :String = null) :Label
+    public static function createTipLabel (
+        text :String, toolTip :String, style :String = null) :Label
     {
         var label :Label = new Label();
         label.text = text;
+        if (toolTip != null) {
+            label.toolTip = toolTip;
+        }
         if (style != null) {
             label.styleName = style;
         }
         return label;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates a label with the supplied text, and optionally applies a style class to it.
+     */
+    public static function createLabel (text :String, style :String = null) :Label
+    {
+        return createTipLabel(text, null, style);
+    }
+
     /**
      * How hard would it have been for them make Spacer accept two optional arguments?
      */