My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Spin a Single Strand Spanish Moss Spider Web

Twist two twigs together to create an interesting fork

Twist two twigs together to create an interesting fork

Place four twigs to overlap in a star shape

Place four twigs to overlap in a radial star shape

Secure each twig with bind wire.

Secure each twig with bind wire.

Tie the twigs together in a figure eight

Tie the twigs together in a figure eight

I kept the overlap open to make it easier to secure the star shape

I kept the overlap open to make it easier to secure the star shape. This gives you two places to secure each twig

Un-catch a bundle of Tillandsia Usneoides

Un-catch a bundle of Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish moss) and lay it out in a single long strand

Wrap the strand around the first twig to cover the wire

Wrap the strand of moss around the first twig to cover the wire. The inside will be more densely covered in moss to cover the wire and as I spin out it will become finer and more delicate.

Extend the strand to the second twig and wrap over the wire

Extend the strand to the second twig and wrap over the wire

Wrap the moss around the twigs

Wrap the moss around the twigs, spinning outward.

Extend the moss to the next twig and wrap it twice around

Extend the moss to the next twig and wrap it twice around

Pull the strand so that it hangs straight with no slack

Pull the strand so that it hangs straight with no slack towards the next twig. Wrap the moss around that twig twice

and extend it to the next twig

and extend it to the next twig

Spin the moss strand outward

Spin the moss strand outward to gradually cover the twigs

Wrap each twig twice and extend the strand to the next twig

Wrap each twig twice and extend the strand to the next twig

Keep the weaving direction the same throughout the web

Keep the weaving direction the same throughout the web

Extend the moss to the next twig and wrap it over twice

Extend the moss to the next twig and wrap it over twice, before extending it to the next twig. Keep the extension taunt so that it hangs neatly

Move around and around spiralling the moss web outwards

Move around and around spiralling the moss web outwards

Add a new strand of moss when you reach the end of a previous one

Add a new strand of moss when you reach the end of a previous one. But do not add bulk. Keep it in a single strand

Keep wrapping until you reach the end of all the twigs

Keep wrapping until you reach the end of all the twigs

Secure the last strand with a tiny drop of floral adhesive

Secure the last strand with a tiny drop of floral adhesive

Wedge the one end of the web in the fork of the twigs.

Wedge the one end of the web in the fork of the twigs...

Bend the twigs slightly to wedge in the other end

Bend the twigs slightly to wedge in the other end. The web should be very secure

Place the twigs and web in a small vase to let it stand upright.

Place the twigs and web in a small vase to let it stand upright.

Add a few danglung strands of moss to make it look more natural

Add a few danglung strands of moss to make it look more natural

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Tutorials

19 February 2013 Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...

Favourite Flowers

Tillandsia Usneoides

Spanish moss, Florida moss, long moss, or graybeard

Related Designs

29 October 2014 Frightfully Pretty

Weave a single strand Spanish Moss spider web

23 March 2016 Celebrate!

A closer look at my design at the 20th anniversary of Canada Blooms and The Toronto Flower Show

21 September 2016 I found it this way: Spiderweb design

This was the first design I did in my "I found it this way" floral art demonstration

2 September 2020 Last full Moon of summer

All natural design using the design elements as mechanics.

14 January 2011 Inspired by Nature

Flax leaves are ripped with a kenzan and wrapped with copper wire and small blue beads to create a rope to weave into a delicate spider web.