My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Standing flowering stems in shallow puddles

Start by making the truss. This will ensure that the three flowering stems stand free in the shallow water

See the Tutorial below for more details on why I choose three stems.

Give the sunflower stems a fresh cut.

Give the sunflower stems a fresh cut. Usually we cut flower stems at an angle to increase the surface for the stem to take up water but this design is going to stand freely on the stems in water so I cut it flat.

Cut bamboo skewers smaller at a very sharp angle

Cut bamboo skewers smaller at a very sharp angle

Press the sharp skewer into the cut-off from the flower stem

Press the sharp skewer into the cut-off from the flower stem

Measure the skewer against the stem

Measure the skewer against the stem. Press the skewer deeper if needed so that it will go into the flower stem but not exit on the other side

Prepare all the truss pieces.

Prepare all the truss pieces.

Make sure the skewers are straight and fit tightly

Make sure the skewers are straight and fit tightly

Start connecting the flower stems with a truss piece

Start connecting the three sunflower stems with a truss piece. Firmly press the skewer into the flower stem

Press the other side skewer into the next flower stem

Press the other side skewer into the next flower stem

Make the connection as need as possible.

Make the connection as need as possible.

Add another truss piece

Add another truss piece, a little higher

Two of the three flower stems are now connected

Two of the three flower stems are now connected. Stand the sunflowers upright to make sure it is balanced

Connect the third stem with the first with another truss piece

Connect the third stem with the first with another truss piece

Add another truss piece to connect the third flower stem with the second

Add another truss piece to connect the third flower stem with the second. Ideally there should be at least two truss pieces connecting the flowering stem with the stem next to it.

Stand the sunflower stems in a shallow container filled with water

Stand the sunflower stems in a shallow container filled with water

Add a few floral details such as passion fruit tendrils an vine and fresh berries

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

Tutorials

28 May 2014 Bamboo scaffold armature

Latch a few bamboo pieces together to create a scaffold for the flowers to hang from

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.

Favourite Flowers

Passiflora

Granadilla, passionflower, passion vines

Related Designs

13 August 2014 A leg to stand on

Create a upright design by supporting the flowering stems

27 July 2016 Too Hot!

Leaning floral stems to stand on their own in a shallow container

1 August 2018 Stay Cool!

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21 October 2020 When it gets chilly

Use the heart of a sunflower as a platform to place your autumn floral details on.

14 July 2021 Light as a Kite

Spike a wire frame into a disk floret for a light summer design.

16 March 2022 Poised to Spring

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

7 February 2024 Knot... that easy

An all natural shallow container design solution...