My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

a Just-Replace-The-Flowers-When-They-Wilt freestanding bark armature

Score bark rolls to snap it to size

Score bark rolls to snap it to size. I like the more rugged edge that you get when breaking the bark rather than cutting it cleanly for this design. See the Tutorial below for more detailed Instructions on how to break a twig (or in this case bark) exactly where you want to.

When you have a deep score line all around the bark

When you have a deep score line all around the bark...

Snap the bark

Snap the bark.

To give my "snap" a bit more of a rugged look I only scored the bark

Design note: the deeper the score line the neater the snap. To give my "snap" a bit more of a rugged look I only scored the bark.

Fit water tubes into the rolled bark

Fit water tubes into the rolled bark.

If you are designing the armature to re use it be mindful of where you place the tubes

If you are designing the armature to re use it be mindful of where you place the tubes so that you can replace the flowers easily.

Place the bark rolls on a flat surface

Place the bark rolls on a flat surface roll side facing up. Try to imagine how the tubes would look with flowers in and rearrange the bark to create a fun display.

When you are happy with the position turn the bark around

Design note: remember you are going to flip the design around so you are viewing it from the back now. When you are happy with the position turn the bark around.

Newsletter subscribers: I have a special tip for you this week when it comes to turning the bark. Make sure you are subscribed so that you do not miss out on the design specific tip each week.

Cut dried twigs at a sharp angle to connect the bark rolls

Cut dried twigs at a sharp angle to connect the bark rolls...

This gives the connection twigs a just grew this way look

This gives the connection twigs a "just grew this way" look. Use a small drop of hot glue to secure the twig from one bark roll to the next.

Simply match the angle of the twig

Simply match the angle of the twig...

To the angle of the bark roll.

... To the angle of the bark roll.

Making it look like a side branch

Making it look like a natural side branch.

Book readers: turn to page 273 where I discuss the how's and why's of making the effort and paying attention to these tiny details. It makes a huge difference in the overall look and quality of your work. This is especially valuable if you are an experienced traditional designer who wants to add a contemporary touch to your work or want to transition from traditional (even floral foam based) designing to contemporary sustainable designs.

Make sure that each bark roll is attached to at least three other rolls

Attach side branches throughout the armature. As a rule I make sure that each bark roll is attached to at least three other rolls. This way you get a really durable armature.

Set the armature upright in a display container

Set the armature upright in a display container and add a few twigs to support the armature.

Simply glue in side twigs to kick against the corners of the display container

Simply glue in side twigs to kick against the corners of the display container. Make sure to glue the twigs only to the bark and not the container so that you can easily remove the armature and clean the container without damaging the armature.

Add in more side branches to complete your the look of your design

Add in more side branches to complete your the look of your design.

Fill the water tubes

Fill the water tubes. For detailed instructions on how I make this syringe with tube see the Tutorial below.

For a bigger scale version see the How To in my book.

Place the flowers in the tubes so that is remains hydrated and fresh for as long as possible

Place the flowers in the tubes so that is remains hydrated and fresh for as long as possible.

As a final touch I added a few stems of jasmine.

As a final touch I added a few stems of jasmine... yes you can fill the display container with water and simply set the jasmine in the water but then the bark rolls are also in water. I want to reuse the bark rolls so to prevent it from spoiling I added tiny little water tubes to the side branches and set the Jasmine stems into those so that they remain hydrated. This not only protects the bark but also makes the design more versatile because you can easily re position the tiny water tubes and completely change the look of the design as you change the flower.

For more detailed instructions on how I make these water tubes see the Tutorial below.

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

Tutorials

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.

7 September 2012 The Three legged trick for Upright Constructions

When in doubt, always give your armature three legs. Two legs are simply not enough and four legs will wobble if it is even slightly off balance.

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

19 February 2020 Twig snippet pillar armature

A great do-in-advance and reusable design solution for a winter, early spring floral display.

21 February 2018 Stem line-up

Line up stems to create a base for the heavy Hanging Heliconia stems

18 June 2014 Sticking a stick curve to create a hollowed out crescent armature

An easy way to create a neat curve in a very short time

24 July 2012 Blow away hot glue strands

When you glue a structure with hot glue there are always a few stray strands of glue stuck all over the design. Blow it away with a hairdryer.

20 April 2016 Free standing Willow twig armature with a hidden water source

Cut a few willow twigs to split to create legs for the armature

28 February 2018 Marching winter frosted twig and freesia stack

Frost a few twigs to craft a delicate armature for fragrant freesias

12 July 2017 Twig sparkler

Glue twigs to radiate out from a central point

Related Designs

6 May 2020 Forever… incomplete

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

16 March 2022 Poised to Spring

An "it's only 10 days to Spring" design to display some blossom buds.

11 May 2022 Is this new…?

Giving old ideas a new twist to refresh it for Spring

17 May 2023 Purple haze… float

Softest Wisteria colour to cool things down on an unexpectedly warm day.

19 February 2020 The Upside of being Inside

A creative design that has some height to it without blocking the view. This can easily be scaled up or down to match the environment you want to display it in.

12 April 2011 Intimate Dinner For Two- Table Setting Competition Class

Floral Sushi Dinner, for two

21 February 2018 Impossible things

A cut stem flower frog for the heavy Hanging Heliconia flowers

18 June 2014 Stuck stick

Glue a few sticks to create a hollowed out crescent armature

20 April 2016 That Will Be

Freestanding willow twig armature design

28 February 2018 March Days

Line up a few frosted twigs to march across a shallow container

12 July 2017 Sparkler

A radiating twig design