My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

And what are you supposed to be?

Hmmm….hmmmm….hmmm-kin… spice lattes,

And what are you supposed to be floral design by Christine de Beer

Hmmm….hmmmm….hmmm-kin harvest,

Purple fountain grass and gladiolus floral display

roasting those hmmm….hmmmm….hmmm-kin seeds,

Floral foam free designs using creative mechanics to display light and airy grasses

Carving hmmm….hmmmm….hmmm-kins

Gorgeous deep burgundy gladiolus in a sustainable floral design

And of course a slice of hmmm….hmmmm….hmmm-kin pie

Light and airy flower arrangements that are sustainable and foam free

… too early?

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

Tutorials

21 August 2024 Light as air puffy grass and elegantly curved gladiolus summer display that hints at all things pumpkin

Create two separate containers to minimize clutter in a light and airy floral display.

21 August 2024 Curve fountain grass... a bit... or a lot... and how to choose grass that is straight for more height

Curving long and elegantly sweeping purple fountain grass

20 August 2024 Figure eight willow spacer for a water tube in a double vase display

Create a bit of a buffer to keep a water tube upright in a light and airy suspended display.

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

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.

22 January 2014 That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase

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...

25 January 2012 Weaving Willow spheres

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

27 September 2023 Turn some gladiolus leaves into a pumpkin vase collar

A collar for a vase that you can use throughout the season... simply replace the water and the flowers inside the vase.

4 December 2019 Eucalyptus collar for a snow-covered Christmas candle

Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.

27 September 2017 Tendril vine Wreath Pumpkin

Reshape a vine wreath into smaller wreaths to combine as a pumpkin

1 May 2012 Cinderella Spiral Pumpkin from Midelino Cane Coils

Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature

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

11 September 2019 Weave a small wreath in the side twig of a willow branch to keep a flower in place in your design

This is both a decorative and functional design solution. But most importantly, I think, there is absolutely zero waste.

12 June 2019 Loop-over grass veil for a cool summer design

A cool and minimal floral design for summer.

20 July 2022 Breezy lily grass ripple

A radiating design that has the freedom of movement to add a bit of a cooling effect on the warmer days of summer.

7 August 2019 A Three level Kenzan skewer stack to Radiate Gladiolus spikes flat in a shallow container

Build up a design in a shallow container by stacking it by threading the plant material into the teeth of a pin cushion in three levels.

16 August 2011 Cut spiked flower stems and foliage into short sections

Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...

Favourite Flowers

Gladiolus

Gladiolus, Sword lily, Corn Lilies, gladioluses, glads, plural: gladioli

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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

Related Designs

27 September 2023 this NEEDS to be at the top of my (our?) to-do list

Autumn bud vase collar made from gladiolus foliage.

4 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus-collar-candle Christmas!

An easy and naturally fragrant winter white candle decoration to bring nature into your house this Christmas.

27 September 2017 As tendrils tend to do

Curl a wreath with tendrils to create a twig-pumpkin

1 May 2012 Center the more adventurous design ideas on your centerpieces

Designing adventurous Contemporary Floral centerpieces Article in the Canadian Florist 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.

11 September 2019 Transition into Fall

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

12 June 2019 Almost... all over!

Loop a grass veil over a lily stem to create a minimalist summer design.

20 July 2022 The tiniest drop

A radiating summer design that waves in the slightest of breezes.

7 August 2019 Point Out: this is a single bunch of gladiolus!

Cut stems of Gladiolus to place in a radiating summer design.

9 August 2023 Look at me… doing math!

Adding our own "bit" to our floral design work.