My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

The Floral Hourglass Wax Foundation

Paper as building material- base for my twig hourglass

Cardboard for wax foundation

For me, heavy cardboard is the ideal building material. It is easier to cut than wood and faster to glue than any other medium. When I am in need of a quick structure I often up-cycle cardboard into whatever I need. It is not a permanent solution and would never be as durable as wood, but with a big enough box, a hot glue gun, some wood glue and paint you can make an instant prop for almost any occasion.

Wax foundation- paint

Paint the cardboard in a water based paint the exact colour of the wax and Patina copper.

Wax foundation- wax

Cover the shape by pouring hot wax over it. My foundation was 800mm in diameter but if it was smaller you can dip the shape into the wax.

Wax foundation- patina copper

Glue the Patina details onto the foundation.

Wax foundation

Detail of my Chrysanthemum Hourglass design

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

Tutorials

2 June 2011 Papier Mache

I save all the thin tissue paper or un-printed newsprint papers that are wrapped around the flowers that are delivered to me to make batches of Papier Mache with. These sheets...

19 March 2011 Melting Wax for Floral Art

For Floral Art the temperature of the wax rarely exceeds the minimum melting point.

2 March 2011 Wax Disk

I loved how peaceful this smooth wax looked when combined with the tulip and tendrils. Like a lily floating on a pond.

24 November 2021 Patina Copper

The colour and the effect will vary due to application, temperature and humidity.

14 January 2011 Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

18 March 2011 Reed Hourglass

Glue small sections of Mikado Reeds into a hour glass shape

14 March 2011 Making a Wax bowl using a mould

Dip shapes into wax to create a bowl

4 December 2013 Large wax snowflakes

Artificial snow can be very "chemical" and flowers deteriorate quickly when exposed to it. It also dissolves in water. I use candle wax as "snow"

8 March 2011 Cover fruit with wax

Dipping red grapes in pale wax creates a cloudy layer that is not only anti-bacterial (prevents fruit from spoiling and releasing the ethylene gas) but also gives depth and...

Related Designs

18 March 2011 SHAPE

Chrysanthemum Hourglass

13 April 2011 Harnessing the Wind

15 November 2023 Freeze… just for a moment!

Not quite winter but also a bit late for autumn design that is somewhere between sparkle and flying leaves.