My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Weave a small wreath in the side twig of a willow branch to keep a flower in place in your design

Pick out a sturdy willow branch with a pliable twig growing from it

Pick out a sturdy willow branch with a pliable twig growing from it

If you are interested in learning more about the "how's" and "why's" of manipulating twigs you can find a lot of information in my book. I also have more information in the Tutorials below.

Carefully loop the side twig

Carefully loop the side twig...

When you can bend it into a circle you can start to weave the tiny wreath

When you can bend it into a circle you can start to weave the tiny wreath.

See the Tutorial below in my Tutorial section for more detailed instructions on wreath weaving.

Slip the twig through the loop and start to weave

Slip the twig through the loop and start to weave.

Weave the entire twig in on itself without cutting it from the main branch

Weave the entire twig in on itself without cutting it from the main branch.

Split a part of another twig to peg the branch in place

Split a part of another twig to peg the branch in place.

Slip the split twig over the edge of a container

Slip the split twig over the edge of a container taking care not to split the entire twig in half.

Secure the branch to the split twig with a fresh willow twig

Place the branch with the wreath over a container with straight-up sides. Secure the branch to the split twig with a fresh willow twig

Secure the other side

Secure the other side.

Fill the container with water so that the flower stem will remain hydrated

Fill the container with water so that the flower stem will remain hydrated.

Twist the willow branch so that the wreath is positioned over the water

Twist the willow branch so that the wreath is positioned over the water... and able to support the flower stem.

For this design it is important that the wreath is in such a position that the flower is fully balanced on the wreath and will not tip over at some point as the wreath dries.
Design Note: I have also included a bonus tip for newsletter subscribers to make extra sure the flower will not tip over.

Slip the Cattleya orchid through the wreath

Slip the Cattleya orchid through the wreath making sure the stem end rests in the water.

Play around with the balance to make sure the orchid stays in place

Play around with the balance to make sure the orchid stays in place. If the top heavy flower head tips over twist the entire branch carefully until it rests securely in the hollow of the wreath.

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

Tutorials

1 November 2011 Weaving a twig wreath

For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...

19 February 2013 Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...

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

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

5 September 2018 Wisteria Wreath Vine

Weave tiny vine wreaths on the leave stems of a stripped Wisteria vine

24 May 2017 Chain link wreath weaving

Weave a few small wreaths to connect

Favourite Flowers

Cattleya

Cattleya orchids

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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

Related Designs

11 September 2019 Transition into Fall

A sustainable, absolutely no waste floral design using willow to suspend your flower head in your arrangement.

8 January 2020 Rest a bit here

Gently curve a shallow area with a leaf to showcase a gorgeous flower with a short stem in a water filled vase

19 August 2020 All round pretty sweet and short

Frame a passion flower in a vine wreath for a short lived but so pretty arrangement.

23 June 2021 Over Easy

A cooling design to celebrate the summer solstice.

28 July 2021 Linked This Way

A fun way to elevate a few bud vases into a display.

22 June 2022 You Say Tomato I Say Tomato

Tiny tomato vine design to celebrate Summer.

28 June 2023 Catch and Release

Ah... yes summer time designing. Anyone else seeing more insects hiding between the petals this year?

5 July 2023 The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan

A easy going summer design that makes full use of the imperfections you harvest from your cut garden.

18 October 2023 Drops do that!

Collecting drops of autumn that makes me smile back.

5 September 2018 Wreath Vine Season!

Weave tiny wreaths on the stems of Wisteria vines

24 May 2017 Link

weave a few wreaths to link

19 October 2016 There are Octobers

Autumn wreath

17 August 2016 Strangeness

Weave a wreath to display air plants on

25 January 2017 What is in a basket of spectacular?

Weave a basket with dangling edges for a single orchid display

25 February 2015 Just So

Twirl a few willow twigs to create a balanced armature to display orchids

20 April 2016 That Will Be

Freestanding willow twig armature design