My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Twirl a ripped Phormium pumpkin pod

Rip the flax into strips with a Kenzan

Rip the flax into strips with a Kenzan

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions

Cut a few sections of wire

Cut a few sections of wire

Shape the wire in a circle

Shape the wire in a circle

Twist the end pieces together to shape the stalk

Twist the end pieces together to shape the stalk

Connect all the wires on the other side in the middle of the circle

Connect all the wires on the other side in the middle of the circle

Bend the wire open to shape the pod

Bend the wire open to shape the pod

Make sure the wires are secure and bend away ant sharp edges

Make sure the wires are secure and bend away any sharp edges

Twist the ripped flax around the bottom part to secure and conceal the wire

Twist the ripped flax around the bottom part to secure and conceal the wire

Wrap the flax around the wire extend it to the next wire and wrap it around that wire

Wrap the flax around the wire extend it to the next wire and wrap it around that wire. This is the basic "weaving" pattern.

Continue to wrap the flax around the wire

Continue to wrap the flax around the wire

Spiral the flax out and around to cover the wire

Spiral the flax out and around to cover the wire

Simply gather new sections and wrap that with the ends of the previous section when one is done and wrap that around the wire

Twirl the flax all the way up the wire

Twirl the flax all the way up the wire

Wrap the stalk part with flax

Wrap the stalk part with flax

Secure the flax at the stalk with a knot

Secure the flax at the stalk with a knot

Curl a few dangling bits of flax

Curl a few dangling bits of flax by wrapping it around twigs

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to curl flax

And hang the pumpkin pod to dry

And hang the pumpkin pod to dry

Kalanchoe

Design note: The Kalanchoe is a succulent and the flowers will remain pretty in the design for at least a week without a water source... yes really!

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

Tutorials

14 January 2011 Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

4 June 2014 Weaving a ring basket

Create a wire frame and weave ripped foliage around it

26 March 2014 Foliage doughnut corsage with a hidden Boutstix Floral Magnet

Wrap a foliage circle to9 create a base for a magnetized corsage

3 July 2013 Messy summer floral nest

Wrap and weave and twirl and dangle foliage to create a spiral nest

16 May 2013 Weaving a pod shape from ripped foliage

Weave a pod shape armature

27 February 2013 Ripped Foliage Mesh

Create a delicate mesh over the design

6 November 2012 Ripped Grass Frame

Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass

16 May 2012 Mikado Reed drop shaped nest

A sturdy shape made by binding Mikado reeds keeps the thin strands of flax in place.

19 October 2011 Making a parasol

I glued wooden slats into a frame and then wove flax string to create the floral parasol

Favourite Flowers

Kalanchoe

Christmas Kalanchoe, Kalanchöe or Kalanchoë

Phormium

Flax, New Zealand flax

Related Designs

23 August 2017 Almost is still not quite

Weave just a hint of the Autumn to come

18 April 2018 Swing Vine

Weave a delicate vine swing to nestle a small vase with spring flowers in

20 June 2018 A Bundle of Pretty

A dried bundle of ripped flax hides a secret water source for the orchids

7 November 2018 Grab your party mittens, flower buds… it’s Book Launch Day!

Celebrating my book launch by knotting floral mittens using the design Tutorial from my book and the template from the free gift template booklet.

16 October 2019 Center Peace

A visual breather from all the bright and festive designs to come when designing for Autumn.

21 July 2021 High-Strung

String up a tiny hammock for a dreamy summer vacation design

12 January 2022 All That Potential

Softly glowing winter twigs for a minimal display

15 June 2022 Take a swing at it

A cooling design for early summer days with swinging ripped grass and more than enough water for thirsty hydrangeas.

4 June 2014 All white, just not quite

My article and woven ring basket design featured in the summer issue of DIY Weddings Magazine

6 November 2012 Mr. Stalk, the Seriously Terrifying Scarecrow, on his Day Off

An easy going design of ripped grass and calla lilies. But look a bit closer. See if you can find Mr. Stalk relaxing somewhere between the blades of grass.

16 May 2012 On the first warm day in May

A ripped flax, Ranunculus and Mikado Reed drop shaped nest

19 October 2011 In an Oriental Manner

I wanted my parasol design to be thoroughly me, and thoroughly contemporary yet respectful of the guiding rules and methods shared by the different schools of Ikebana.

6 May 2015 Tape and Wrap

Design Two from my Inspiration Video: Use the same floral ingredients, willow twigs, Lichen, Spanish Moss, Kalanchoe and Gypsophila to make three distinctly different contemporary...