My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Willow Paddle

You will need a sturdy twig to rest on a shallow container

You will need a sturdy twig, with a fork in it, to rest on a shallow container

Wind a willow stem around one of the twigs close to the fork

Wind a willow stem around one of the twigs close to the fork

Make sure you catch the tip by winding the stem over it

Make sure you catch the tip by winding the stem over it

Wind the willow between the two twigs in a figure eight pattern.

Wind the willow between the two twigs in a figure eight pattern.

Creating a x in between the stems

Creating a "x" in between the stems.

Wiggle the end of one stem into the figure eight

Wiggle the end of one stem into the figure eight...

And catch a new stem under the previous one

... and catch a new stem under the previous one

Because you are winding the stems tightly it will pull the two twigs closer. Place a twig to keep the two sides seperated

Cut into both ends of a twig with a sharp knife

Cut into both ends of a twig with a sharp knife. Be careful not to split the entire twig.

Slip the split ends over the forked twigs to keep it open

Slip the split ends over the forked twigs to keep it open.

Continue to wind the willow

Continue to wind the willow

Wiggle the split twig down the forked twigs as you go along

Wiggle the split twig down the forked twigs as you go along.

Wind willow stems to the end of the forked twigs

Wind willow stems to the end of the forked twigs

Secure the split twig with a figure eight knot of willow

Secure the split twig with a figure eight knot of willow.

Willow paddle ready to design with

Willow paddle ready to design with

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Tutorials

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...

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

25 January 2012 Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

11 February 2015 Willow Heart Wand

16 March 2016 Willow Parasol

Weave willow stems into a decorative parasol

3 August 2016 Hanging Willow Nest

Bend and weave a nest shape from fresh willow stems

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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

Related Designs

25 October 2017 When the pretty eyeballs you back!

Barely there skeleton blossoms with Eucalyptus eyes for my Halloween design... Oh! and a Willow Paddle, which probably should have been the main Tutorial... but... well...

22 November 2017 How do squirrels Cache a tree?

Hoard a few acorns in the fork of a twig to show off a single oncidium orchid.

10 January 2018 Let some magic find you

My article and floral wand design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

23 May 2018 In Summer!

A contemporary cascade of rosary vine and dried petals.

28 November 2018 Crafting

The second design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing.

16 October 2019 Center Peace

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

4 May 2022 Wonderful and Enough

That incredible moment when you realize that one good idea for your design really is enough...

19 April 2023 Short Cut

A tiny carry basket to gather the shortest stems from your cutting garden... with a place for water and your cutters.

24 January 2024 I mean… really!?!

Using fresh twigs to bind a little twig platform to suspend the beautiful orchids from.

6 March 2024 A Stay Open

Grow a willow birdcage... with a bit of a Spring flower support to get it started.

26 August 2015 Bent

Weave a wreath from sweetpea stems and tendrils

11 February 2015 Love Spell

Weave willow to create a heart shaped wand design

16 March 2016 Creative Expectations

My article and a floral parasol design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

3 August 2016 Practice

Weave a willow bird nest

25 January 2012 Three Drops of Floral Chocolate

The design drips down in three tiers each celebrating life, love and connection.