My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Three Twig Bundle Braid

"Plaid" and "braid" are synonyms, and where you are from will most likely dictate whether you use plait (British) or braid (American or Celtic). Some people also refer to cornrows as braids or refer to pinned up plaits as braids. A French braid is a braiding technique.

To begin... strip the foliage away from thin twigs. See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions

Tie the bundles of twigs at one end

Tie the bundles of twigs at one end

Start at the thin end and braid the stems together.

Start at the thin end and braid the stems together working your way down to the tied ends.

Knot the ends

Knot the ends by wrapping a thin stem and tying it

Wiggle the stems to create volume

Wiggle your fingers into the twigs and pull it apart gently to create a looser plait with more volume

Hook your finger around individual twigs to pull it from the braid

Hook your finger around a few individual twigs to pull it from the braid to create space for the flowers to nestle in

Twig braid ready to design with

Twig braid ready to design with. Set it aside to dry in this shape

Cut the stem away that kept the tips in place

Cut the stem away that kept the tips in place

And remove the elastic bands

And remove the elastic bands

I placed my twig braid on a "brick on a stick"

I placed my twig braid on a "brick on a stick" See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions

Secure the twig bundle to the stick with cable ties

Secure the twig bundle to the stick with cable ties

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to extend cable ties for bigger bundles

Cut away the long end of the cable tie

Cut away the long end of the cable tie

Add the flowers and add a few twigs to dance over the braid and flower

Add the flowers and add a few twigs to dance over the braid and flower

I made tiny test tubes to keep the flowers hydrated from drinking straws. See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions

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

Tutorials

29 January 2011 Brick on a stick

Create simple but effective stands for Floral Art

29 June 2016 Reed Cradle Armature

Glue reeds on a wire frame to create a dimensional armature to suspend orchids in

26 June 2012 Driftwood precariously perched on the edge of a pebble

Wire and glue the driftwood at an angle to balance on a pebble

16 October 2012 Taco-shaped twig armature

Make a half-moon shaped armature to fill with flowers

16 May 2013 Weaving a pod shape from ripped foliage

Weave a pod shape armature

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

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

3 May 2017 Extend cable ties to secure bigger bundles of twigs or thicker stems

For cable ties to dissapear in design work choose the smallest tie poswsible for the job

Favourite Flowers

Brassia

Spider orchid

Related Designs

3 May 2017 Oh just...

Braid a few twigs to dance around your flowers

13 September 2017 Around again

Tape a grid at the edge of a container

20 June 2018 A Bundle of Pretty

A dried bundle of ripped flax hides a secret water source for the orchids

29 June 2016 Make the design

Weave a reed cradle to suspend orchids from

5 April 2011 Mud!!! Floral Art Demonstration at the Rondebosch Flower Club

My demonstration looked at ways to use mud to enhance floral art.

12 April 2011 Oh, What Twisted Tales We Weave

"What Twisted Tales We Weave" design 2010 Floral Trends Design Group, South Africa.

11 April 2011 Glass

A small pane of glass connects the top and the bottom of the design

26 June 2012 Diamond Jubilee Waterfall

To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the 20th Anniversary of Friends of Government House Gardens Society a Horticultural event was hosted in the gardens and...

16 October 2012 Bright, brighter… brightest!

Celebrate the bright colours of autumn with lilies and Chinese lanterns

16 May 2013 Natural, naturally

Weave a armature to rest a lily on

22 July 2015 Fluffy

Fluff out Washi paper to create a delicate armature