My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Just not Flowers!

My article and woven ring-box design featured in the in the summer issue of
DIY Weddings Magazine

There is something reassuring about having natural elements around you at your wedding. We assume weddings to be a flower filled occasion but sometimes, whether due to allergy, personal preference or even location restrictions, you might need to break from tradition and opt for flowerless designs. It is however still possible to bring nature into your wedding with greenery, without adding flowers.

Just not flowers floral art design

The best way to design with non-floral alternatives is to be deliberate. Do not treat the non-floral design elements as mere substitutes for the flowers but rather make it a design feature.

Fruit, vegetables, air plants and succulents are excellent alternatives to pollen rich and fragrant blossoms.

Woven ring box design

So are blades of grass, twigs and vines that can be woven into baskets, boxes and dramatic decorative shapes.

Weave a cube from foliage

In my design, I wove a ring box from blades of grass.

Once you know how to weave the basic balanced plain weave pattern, it can be adapted to create matching green woven hand baskets, vans and even woven corsages. Strips of woven leaves placed in glass containers make beautiful centerpieces and can be as elaborate or delicate as you choose.

Every couple wants their wedding to be unique. Beautifully styled non-floral design details are memorable and can be an exceptional style statement

just-not-flowers!

Thank you DIY Weddings Magazine for inviting me to be part of your Summer issue. It is filled with creative inspiration. Have a look at the on-line magazine.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

5 June 2013 Weaving a cube foliage ring box

Weave a cube with a ribbon

14 January 2011 Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

8 June 2011 Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in...

12 September 2012 Infinity fold for storing ribbon

Neatly roll you ribbon to store flat in a drawer

Favourite Flowers

Phormium

Flax, New Zealand flax

Ceropegia woodii

Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts

Related Designs

23 December 2015 Dear Santa,

Gift boxes from skeleton leaves

17 May 2017 Nobody move!

Weave a small basket with a lid to keep fluffy treasures in

7 April 2011 Weaving with Flax

Here are a few more examples of woven flax. I also use Typha, palm, iris leaves, Kyogi paper, boat orchid leaves and aspidistra to weave with.