My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Spin a tiny glue bead around a thin stem to secure it at an angle in a design

Drop a tiny bead of glue at the very end of the stem you want to attach

Drop a tiny bead of glue at the very end of the stem you want to attach

Let the glue set

Let the glue set to create a platform for the leaf to adhere

Spin more hot glue around the stem to create a bigger bead of glue

Spin more hot glue around the stem to create a bigger bead of glue

Make the glue bead as small as possible. Of course the smaller the bead the less visible it will be. Some positions will only require the tiniest of bead of glue. Other will require a bit more.

Hold the leaf in position for the glue to set

Hold the leaf in position for the glue to set.

I find it best not to force the leaf into position

I find it best not to force the leaf into position. Place it and let it naturally settle .

You can almost not even see the glue

You can almost not even see the glue.

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

Tutorials

8 June 2016 Stripping bark from willow sticks

Strip the green bark from the stems to expose the smooth wood

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

8 June 2016 Popsicle Stick Square Armature

Glue Popsicle sticks to create a double layered, upright armature

29 November 2017 Autumn Screen

Craft a hanging twig and autumn leaf design

2 May 2018 Radiating rainbow vine armature

Design an armature that is light enough to be carried by two flower stems to create a radiating frame.

18 January 2012 Butterfly hairclip claws to hold twigs in place while glue dries

Butterfly hair clips are the perfect little claws to help you hold tiny items in place while you wait for glue to dry

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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

Related Designs

25 September 2019 It’s one and a half to two times... but to the side

Soft minimal... this is exactly the kind of design I place in our apartment. Use a few fall treasures picked up on a walk and add a copper leaf to up the effort and love you add...

1 June 2022 Found it!

A very secure thorn branch armature to hold overgrown Tulips in place

22 June 2022 You Say Tomato I Say Tomato

Tiny tomato vine design to celebrate Summer.

21 September 2022 Balanced Attitude

Getting the balance just so... so that you lean into the first sights of Autumn.

17 September 2014 Still

My bark bowl design and tutorial featured in the Centrepiece Wedding Magazine

8 June 2016 When the wind whisper

Glue a fantasy forest from Popsicle sticks, grape vine tendrils and willow tips

29 November 2017 Marcescent

Glue a delicate autumn room devider

2 May 2018 Over the rainbow

Craft a radiating design that suspends from the orchid stems

26 September 2018 Cover Story

The design for the cover of my book, the effortless floral craftsman, crafted from Fiddlehead Fern and Red Lipstick Hanging Heliconia.