My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

A tendril Valentine connection

You see first you wiggle the Thumbkin and wobble that bit there…until that’s now properly fixed

But don't yet let go...

and then you bring the Pointer over just so…and it’s secure.

Hold on though!

And next you have to hook the Tally through there and out on top… and now that’s connected.

But grip tight

and with the Ringlet hook and then that goes there…and it’s tied up.

But stay put

just in time for the pinklet to catch a grip and… there!

Phew!!! How do tendrils make all this look so easy?

Happy flowering this Valentine’s Day, buddies!

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Tutorials
Have your heart set on it armature for Valentines Day
12 February 2025
Have your heart set on it armature for Valentines Day

A prepare ahead armature design that relies on the strength of a heart shape.
Drinking straw "test tubes"
4 January 2011
Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.
A secret trick to conditioning new growth
13 April 2012
A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.
Adding snow to twigs
28 December 2016
Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs
Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals
8 July 2015
Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Willow Heart Wand
11 February 2015
Willow Heart Wand
Butterfly hairclip claws to hold twigs in place while glue dries
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
A Sprouting Spring Twig Heart
8 February 2017
A Sprouting Spring Twig Heart

Carefully glue a twig armature to display the mini-miniature Darling orchids
Moss Heart
7 February 2012
Moss Heart

Biodegradable copper mesh makes the perfect shape to fill with moss to grow tiny stem plants
Wire two Equisetum shoots into a heart
14 February 2018
Wire two Equisetum shoots into a heart

A wire in the hollow cavity inside a shoot of equisetum makes it easy to manipulate into a heart
Bark covered heart
10 July 2012
Bark covered heart

Cover cardboard with bark to create a heart shaped log
Stacked Table-Top Twig Heart
31 December 2014
Stacked Table-Top Twig Heart

Stack and glue moss covered twigs into a heart shape
Craft a birch bark bud vase topper for a openhearted Valentine's display
14 February 2024
Craft a birch bark bud vase topper for a openhearted Valentine's display

Craft a keepsake heart on top of a vase to display special flowers.
Midolino heart armature standing on Hana-Kubari legs
15 January 2014
Midolino heart armature standing on Hana-Kubari legs

Create a re-usable cane armature for a romantic pave design
Free Standing Twig and Wire Heart Armature
10 February 2016
Free Standing Twig and Wire Heart Armature

Bend wires and fill in the gabs with Stillingia twigs to make a delicate heart armature
Braid a Celtic heart knot
10 September 2012
Braid a Celtic heart knot

Braid or knot a traditional Celtic heart with foliage
Blossom Twig Heart Frame… with a twist in the middle
15 February 2023
Blossom Twig Heart Frame… with a twist in the middle

Curve and tie a blossoming twig into a heart... that can suspend a heavy flower head.
Willow Parasol
16 March 2016
Willow Parasol

Weave willow stems into a decorative parasol
Love Bug
1 February 2012
Love Bug

Heart shaped rosery vine and pine love bug
Willow nest roll that continues to grow for a Spring display
26 March 2025
Willow nest roll that continues to grow for a Spring display

This design is meant to be long lasting and ever changing... make now and enjoy all the way to Easter and beyond
Related Designs
Love Spell
11 February 2015
Love Spell

Weave willow to create a heart shaped wand design
Spoiler Alert: It’s You
14 February 2024
Spoiler Alert: It’s You

A birch bark heart for Valentine's Day
It could hold
8 February 2017
It could hold

A fragile looking heart made from twigs that can hold a lot of orchids
Two Are
14 February 2018
Two Are

Equisetum Valentine's hearts
A quirky kind of Love
10 January 2013
A quirky kind of Love

Retail florists and wholesalers are already designing, ordering and preparing their product range for Valentine's Day. This is my article that I wrote for the December 2012 Valentine's Day Design Issue of Canadian Florist Magazine
The sound of a kiss
31 December 2014
The sound of a kiss

Stack and glue twigs into a table top heart
Love at second sight
15 January 2014
Love at second sight

This is my article that I wrote for the Valentine's Design Issue of Canadian Florist Magazine
Tying the knot
10 September 2012
Tying the knot

Gypsophilla design with Celtic love knots featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine
Tying the knot and loosening those curls
18 September 2012
Tying the knot and loosening those curls

Romantic rose centerpiece with just a bit of an edge featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine
In a State of Flow
28 January 2015
In a State of Flow

weave some willow to use as an armature
Be My Twig-Heart
10 February 2016
Be My Twig-Heart

Glue an upright twig heart for a freestanding Valentine's display
Parallel Hang Ups
12 February 2020
Parallel Hang Ups

While waiting for the blossoms to open... why not weave in a touch of Valentine's Day love?
Hang on, love
16 February 2022
Hang on, love

A hanging heart design to celebrate love this Valentine's Day.
If you frame it that way…
15 February 2023
If you frame it that way…

A blossom frame to display the prettiest anthurium of the whole bunch!
Creative Expectations
16 March 2016
Creative Expectations

My article and a floral parasol design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
Spring Roll
26 March 2025
Spring Roll

oh yes... Spring is definitely rolling in with some fresh growth on the willow just to prove it!
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis orchid detail from my Harnessing the Wind design
Ceropegia woodii
Ceropegia woodii

Pompon Chrysanthemum pom-poms and strands of Rosary vine for my floral lariat necklace in the Canadian Florist Magazine
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis orchid detail from my Harnessing the Wind design