My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Winter Woodland Chandelier

I wanted my design to look natural and shaped all the curves by hand (following a template) so that they are similar but not exactly the same. You will need to make a jig if you want all the wire curves and curls to be exactly the same.

Book launch gift: Download your free template booklet

Curl a heavy duty wire.

Curl a heavy duty wire with pliers

Wire curl

Make the curls big enough to weave twigs around

Bend the wire down and to the right

Bend the wire down and to the right

Curl a second wire.

Curl a second wire.

Shape the wire to look similar than the first wire

Shape the wire to look similar than the first wire

Shape a third wire.

Shape a third wire.

Five wire curls.

and another and another. I made five curls for the small chandelier

Bend the wire round to point up.

Bend the wire round to point up.

Do the same with all five wires

Do the same with all five wires

Curve the wire again to the right

Curve the wire again to the right

Do the same with all five wires

Do the same with all five wires

Curl the top of the first wire with pliers.

Curl the top of the first wire with pliers.

Match the second wire to the first

Match the second wire to the first

Curl the top.

Curl the top.

Curl all the wires.

Curl all the wires.

For the top handle to hang the chandelier from:

Curl a long wire.

Curl the end of a long wire.

Keep the curl open to make it easy to hang

Keep the curl open to make it easy to hang

Give the wire a neat bend to lie flat.

Give the wire a neat bend to lie flat.

Place the wire on a flat surface

Place the wire on a flat surface

Curl the other end.

Curl the other end.

This wire will hang in the middle of the chandelier

This wire will hang in the middle of the chandelier

Match the curled wire to the long wire

Match the curled wire to the long wire

Secure with wire

Secure with wire

Cut the wire short and fold any sharp ends in

Cut the wire short and fold any sharp ends in

Secure the other end

Secure the other end

Match and secure the next wire

Match and secure the next wire

Fold back any sharp edges

Cut the wire short and fold back any sharp edges

Rest the wire on the mid-curl and space it out

Rest the wire on the mid-curl and space it out

Wire in the third wire.

Wire in the third wire.

Tie the other end

Tie the other end

Secure the next wire.

Secure the fourth wire.

Wire the other end.

Wire the other end.

Wire the last wire and bend to shape

Wire the last wire and bend the wires to space out and shape the chandelier

Spiral wire nest for the candles, tea-lights or flameless candles:

Spiral curl the wire.

Spiral curl the wire.

Rest the candle on the spiral

Make the spiral just big enough for the tea-light or candle to rest on

Bend the wire up and around the candle

Bend the wire up and around the candle

Shape the wire with your hand

Shape the wire with your hand

The candle should rest flat on the bottom spiral

The candle should rest flat on the bottom spiral

Bend the wire out.

Bend the wire out.

Curve the wire

Curve the wire

Curl the end in

Curl the end in

Match the another wire to the first and follow the curves

Match the another wire to the first and follow the curves

Spiral and curve a wire for each candle

Spiral and curve a wire for each candle

Wire the candle nest wire to the middle wire

Wire the candle nest wire to the middle wire

and to the bottom curve

and to the bottom curve

Bend the wire to shape

Bend the wire to shape

Wire in the rest of the candle nests

Wire in the rest of the candle nests

Weave a twig basket for the battery operated candles

Design note: or weave a twig basket for the battery operated candles after adding the twigs.

Add a few more wire curls

Add a few more wire curls

Wire structure for the twig chandelier

The wire structure is ready to design with.

Weave in twigs

Weave in twigs. I used hazel branches, willow stems and seeded eucalyptus

Press the twigs to catch between the wires

Press the twigs to catch between the wires and wrap around the structure

Keep adding twigs

Keep adding twigs. Don't follow the wires but rather create a filigree as plants do on a climbing structure

Wrap the twigs around the wire candle nest.

Wrap the twigs around the wire candle nest.

Use longer willow twigs to secure the other twigs

Use longer willow twigs to secure the other twigs

Let these twigs dry on the wire structure before adding the fresh plant material.

Let these twigs dry on the wire structure before adding the fresh plant material.

Weave in seeded eucalyptus stems.

Weave in seeded eucalyptus stems, glue in the crystals, water filled test tubes and orchids

Add rosary vines and oncidium orchids

or add rosary vines and oncidium orchids...

Floral Chandelier.jpg

Place the design on a glass vase to keep it stable while working on it

The glories of Christmases long, long ago Floral art Chandelier design.

The glories of Christmases long, long ago Floral art Chandelier design ready to hang

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

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...

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

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

14 June 2017 Hanging Bamboo Lantern

This is a perfect do-ahead-of-time hanging design for a summer wedding. Craft one or three or a whole lot of the lanterns and add some orchids at the last moment to finish the...

15 December 2011 Spiral wire support pressed into a candle

The wire spirals are supported on wire sections pressed into the wax

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Oncidium

Dancing lady

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