My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Twig sparkler

Shape a wire frame

Shape a wire frame

Glue willow twigs to the frame

Glue willow twigs to the frame

Glue the twigs so that it radiates out from a central point

Glue the twigs so that it radiates out from a central point

This is quite a heavy design. Make sure the twigs are glued in more that one spot

This is quite a heavy design. Make sure the twigs are glued in more that one spot

As a rule of thumb I glue each twig to connect at three places with another twig

As a rule of thumb I glue each twig to connect at three places with another twig. This creates a strong and stable armature

Continue to add stems to fill out the radial design

Fill out the radial design with some thin stems

Add sprouting stems of willow in water tubes

Add sprouting stems of willow in water tubes. Cross the stems and break the radial pattern slightly to create visual interest.

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to add new growth to a design

Make sure the water tubes are concealed

Make sure the water tubes are concealed.

Add tiny bits of moss.

Add a few more water tubes for the orchids and place some moss and dew drop beads.

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

Tutorials

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

12 August 2012 Twist your own Wire Wreath frame

Make a wire wreath frame with wire and cover it with growth mesium or moss to design on

13 April 2012 A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on...

1 May 2012 Cinderella Spiral Pumpkin from Midelino Cane Coils

Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature

24 July 2012 Stacked Twig Roundabout

This is a great way to use all those bits of twigs and sticks in your design room to make a floral armature

22 September 2012 Stir-stick Sunburst

Glue a radiating armature from stir-sticks.

16 October 2012 Taco-shaped twig armature

Make a half-moon shaped armature to fill with flowers

30 January 2013 Funnel shaped pick-up-sticks armature

By making a very secure armature, it is possible to stack and suspend loose twigs on top of it building on the stable foundation

2 October 2013 Spiny Twig Porcupine Armature

Glue a few twigs to display Autumn flowers and foliage on

29 January 2014 Twig Shooting Star

Wire and glue a twig armature

Related Designs

12 July 2017 Sparkler

A radiating twig design

27 December 2017 Can it be?

Craft a pine tube to display a soft and snow filled winter scene

14 March 2018 Old, new trends

My article and willow birdcage design for wedding rings featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.

2 May 2018 Over the rainbow

Craft a radiating design that suspends from the orchid stems

6 February 2019 Tread softly on winter

A delicate winter twig armature to show off the delicate beauty of these early spring coloured tulips.

2 October 2019 Cross-hatch a Shadow Bright Autumn

A clever trick borrowed from art techniques to add dimension to a bright and colourful Autumn floral design.

6 May 2020 Forever… incomplete

Craft a pretty armature that can be used again and again.

4 August 2021 Counting Raindrops

Grass crisscross that makes you want to lean in closer to count the late summer raindrops around these gorgeous roses.

8 September 2021 A good September Soaking

Exploring two soaking techniques for a subtle early autumn design

29 June 2022 But for this… let’s not rush

A take your time and mindfully craft a pretty design to celebrate the summer solstice- it is officially summer here in Canada.

30 August 2023 Courage, now

A bit of a rethink as the season is getting ready to change. How can I give my design idea a fresh twist?

19 October 2011 In an Oriental Manner

I wanted my parasol design to be thoroughly me, and thoroughly contemporary yet respectful of the guiding rules and methods shared by the different schools of Ikebana.

1 May 2012 Center the more adventurous design ideas on your centerpieces

Designing adventurous Contemporary Floral centerpieces Article in the Canadian Florist Magazine.

24 July 2012 A little bit of Art and Soul

A twig structure with roses

22 September 2012 Turning of the leaves

An Autumn Equinox design that captures the moment before the spectacular colour burst of autumn floats around again

16 October 2012 Bright, brighter… brightest!

Celebrate the bright colours of autumn with lilies and Chinese lanterns

30 January 2013 It's High Time for Tea: from craft to art, taking a delicious floral journey with wire techniques

This was my last two designs for my It's High Time for Tea Floral Craft and Art Demonstration at The Capilano Flower Arranging Club meeting

2 October 2013 Prickly

Build a twig porcupine armature for fall flowers

29 January 2014 Glued to stay just so

Wire and glue a twig armature

2 April 2014 Apricity

Turning a stand-by floral technique sticky side out