My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Rules!

This is the first of my 4 demonstration designs I did for my book launch last week at the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. To read and see more pictures of the demonstration: The effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter's guide to crafting with nature Book Launch Demonstration

Rules floral art design

I am a firm believer in rules...

Hydrangea, helleboris and willow floral design

Rules set the standard of conduct and you know what to expect and what is expected of you.

Woven willow armature

I have always been playing with flowers. As a little girl I used to build fairy tales from twigs and petals. But I am a formally trained florist. And I have dedicated much of my creative journey to the art of competition design where misunderstanding or disregarding the rules in your competition schedule means all your hard work and preparations are wasted.

Using tiny drinking straws as water tubes in floral design

Somewhere along my creative journey these rules stuck.

I can't really imagine designing without following "the rules". In fact I have an entire chapter in my book where I discuss the rules- when to bend them and when to follow them. It is important to know how to test those tried and tested design rules so that you can continue to innovate and create your own groundbreaking art.

Hydrangea, helleboris and willow flower arrangement

I go through great lengths to, for instance, add a water source to keep my flowers hydrated. This is one of our foundation rules in competitive designing.

... and a foundation rule in my own way of designing. The rules have become part of my effortless style.

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how I make tiny water tubes from drinking straws.

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

Tutorials

21 November 2018 Crescent willow moon

Craft a crescent shaped willow armature

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

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

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

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

30 May 2012 Drying Hydrangeas: Fast, Flat or Natural

Use all three methods to dry hydrangeas to get three very different textures to use in design work.

12 September 2018 Off-center hole-wreath armature

Craft a slightly off center wreath from dried vines and grasses for Phalaenopsis orchids.

26 August 2015 Sun baked Sweetpea vine wreath

A perfect way to use a Lathyrus vine after all it flowered

1 July 2015 Washi paper (Rakusui) split tube

Rip up the Washi paper for a lace fine armature for floral art

16 December 2015 Ivy vine Christmas tree mobile

Twist ivy vines around a cardboard shape to create a lace fine Christmas tree mobile.

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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

Hydrangea

Hydrangea, when cultivated as a cut flower rather as a plant it is often revered to as Hortensia

Related Designs

21 November 2018 The effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter's guide to crafting with nature Book Launch Demonstration

My book launch demonstration was hosted by my flower-buddies from the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. We looked at what influences our own effortless style... that "thing" that...

7 September 2022 Of the shades to come

This design requires a bit of prep-time so it is perfect to make while waiting for the first autumn leaf to appear…

19 September 2018 Before I show you my book- let me show you my book

… and why we call this the special craftsmanship edition

12 September 2018 Hole-ding it’s breath

Craft an almost Autumn armature from dried sweet pea vines

26 August 2015 Bent

Weave a wreath from sweetpea stems and tendrils

1 July 2015 At a Stretch

Glue a paper tube floral art structure

16 December 2015 Christmas Waves

Twist a Kalanchoe and Ivy vine Christmas tree mobile