My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Around again

I like winter

Spring is nice;

Let’s skip summer

and do

fall twice!

Quote by Rusty Fischer

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Tutorials
Tape a grid around the edges of a container for a table top wreath
13 September 2017
Tape a grid around the edges of a container for a table top wreath

Suspend flowers with an almost invisible taped grid
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar
25 April 2012
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar

"Plaid" and "braid" are synonyms, and where you are from will most likely dictate whether you use plait (British) or braid (American or Celtic). Some people also refer to cornrows as braids or refer to pinned up plaits as braids. A French braid is a braiding technique.
Ripping Flax
14 January 2011
Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips
Three Twig Bundle Braid
3 May 2017
Three Twig Bundle Braid

Braid bundles of twigs to create an armature for flowers to dance in
Clearly invisible taped Grid
2 July 2014
Clearly invisible taped Grid

This is the easiest way to keep flower in place
Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog
2 April 2014
Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog

Tape a grid over a vase to keep the floral details in place
Lilies
2 January 2011
Lilies

How to keep Lilies in bud for longer. Removing the pollen. Stringing a Lily Garland.
Placing orchids in test tubes
25 August 2011
Placing orchids in test tubes

Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.
Keep pod shaped flowers in bud for longer
30 March 2012
Keep pod shaped flowers in bud for longer

Sometimes you want to keep flowers in tight bud for as long as possible to suit your design
A green plaited willow way-over for small flower details
2 October 2024
A green plaited willow way-over for small flower details

Here it is: the first of my first autumn harvest of willow from my willow coppice I am growing in my balcony garden. It is working spectacularly well!
Tendril support to anchor a floating vase (and its ginormous bubble) in place
17 April 2024
Tendril support to anchor a floating vase (and its ginormous bubble) in place

Trap a bubble between two shallow containers to float clematis flowers for Spring.
No Mow May Scattered Grass and Erigeron Meadow design
31 May 2023
No Mow May Scattered Grass and Erigeron Meadow design

Tape a grid to create a barely there scattered grass display for a cooling summer display.
Summer harvest Vine Swirl
14 September 2022
Summer harvest Vine Swirl

A great way have your vines root and enjoy them too...
Swing ripped foliage over a mop-head of hydrangeas to follow the natural curve
15 June 2022
Swing ripped foliage over a mop-head of hydrangeas to follow the natural curve

Gently curve ripped foliage over flowers to add a cooling movement to a minimal summer design.
Double vase Snow Glow Winter Centerpiece
5 January 2022
Double vase Snow Glow Winter Centerpiece

Add warmth to a space with a softly glowing winter white arrangement
Knot a delicate hammock from ripped foliage
21 July 2021
Knot a delicate hammock from ripped foliage

Light and airy addition to a floral design to celebrate summer
Sparkling dew drop puddle to keep flowers hydrated even during a heatwave
30 June 2021
Sparkling dew drop puddle to keep flowers hydrated even during a heatwave

Done in no time design... and it is rather refreshing to make.
Reusable Table Top Lei Armature
17 June 2020
Reusable Table Top Lei Armature

An easy to do, budget friendly, craft ahead- use many times floral armature.
A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping
15 April 2020
A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping

Capture Spring for just a little bit longer by sticking blossoms down, in place.
Magnetic Floral Corsage inside a lily pod-bud
21 August 2019
Magnetic Floral Corsage inside a lily pod-bud

Conceal a BoutStix Floral Magnet in a lily bud to design a woodland foraged inspired corsage.
Tie a half bow with ripped grass
21 August 2019
Tie a half bow with ripped grass

For a natural alternative to ribbon or string... add a ripped grass bow.
Attaching a lily bud corsage using a BoutStix Floral Magnet
21 August 2019
Attaching a lily bud corsage using a BoutStix Floral Magnet

I love these little Boutstix corsage magnets! They are strong enough to hold flowers neatly in place.
An almost not even there grass grid
1 May 2019
An almost not even there grass grid

... with the help of an old staple technique.
Bundled Phormium with a secret water source
20 June 2018
Bundled Phormium with a secret water source

Rip Phormium to create a freestanding bundle armature design.
Related Designs
Words Matter.
24 April 2012
Words Matter.

Braiding and plaiting and knotting hair is a huge trend in hairdressing at the moment. Intricate little plaits are draped over long flowing hair to add complexity and quirk. It’s a lovely design trend to add to floral art.
Oh just...
3 May 2017
Oh just...

Braid a few twigs to dance around your flowers
Dream, Job
7 June 2017
Dream, Job

Create a grid to rest some plant material so that it floats and some with their stems to rest in the water below
Summer
20 August 2014
Summer

A quick and easy design for summer
On Pumpkin Coloured Days
28 October 2015
On Pumpkin Coloured Days

Create a besom broom to sweep up those Autumn leaves
Take it for a Spin
6 April 2016
Take it for a Spin

Make a clear grid to suspend plant material on
Apricity
2 April 2014
Apricity

Turning a stand-by floral technique sticky side out
Designing with Mother Nature
20 February 2013
Designing with Mother Nature

Retail florists and wholesalers are already designing, ordering and preparing their product range for Mother's Day. This is my article that I wrote for the Mother's Day Design Issue of Canadian Florist Magazine
Brewing some inspiration
2 October 2024
Brewing some inspiration

Autumn harvest willow for a double the pretty plaited flower support
In The Time it Takes To Listen To Learn
17 April 2024
In The Time it Takes To Listen To Learn

Ideal design for those flowers that needs a deep soak to remain hydrated.
Notice That?/!
31 May 2023
Notice That?/!

Light and airy... like a wonderful breeze on a hot summer day grass and erigeron display.
Overgrown S-Autum-mer Swirl
14 September 2022
Overgrown S-Autum-mer Swirl

Designing for somewhere not still summer not yet autumn weather...
Take a swing at it
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.
Slow Glow
5 January 2022
Slow Glow

A slow but glowing start to the New Year and the new design season
High-Strung
21 July 2021
High-Strung

String up a tiny hammock for a dreamy summer vacation design
Into a Puddle!
30 June 2021
Into a Puddle!

Heat proof floral design for summer.
Lei-way
17 June 2020
Lei-way

Allow for a bit of variation by crafting a sturdy armature.
Helping Spring Stick Around
15 April 2020
Helping Spring Stick Around

Blossom petals drop so quickly! Here's a way to make them last just that little bit longer.
All in one pod
21 August 2019
All in one pod

Fold open a lily bud to conceal a clever little BoutStix floral magnet for an unusual corsage.
Can you see the tiny hint of Sunshine on the tips of the grass?
1 May 2019
Can you see the tiny hint of Sunshine on the tips of the grass?

I left the grass to mature so that the tips mirror the sun bleached yellow of the orchids.
A Bundle of Pretty
20 June 2018
A Bundle of Pretty

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

A Rock by any other name, lily design
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis orchid detail from my Harnessing the Wind design