My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Around again

13 September 2017
and more

I like winter

Spring is nice;

Let’s skip summer

and do

fall twice!

Quote by Rusty Fischer

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

Tutorials

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

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.

14 January 2011

Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

3 May 2017

Three Twig Bundle Braid

Braid bundles of twigs to create an armature for flowers to dance in

2 July 2014

Clearly invisible taped Grid

This is the easiest way to keep flower in place

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

2 January 2011

Lilies

How to keep Lilies in bud for longer. Removing the pollen. Stringing a Lily Garland.

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.

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

8 October 2025

Curve a handful of grass to twist into place

Use two tiny budvases to display a few blades of grass for autumn.

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!

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.

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.

14 September 2022

Summer harvest Vine Swirl

A great way have your vines root and enjoy them too...

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.

5 January 2022

Double vase Snow Glow Winter Centerpiece

Add warmth to a space with a softly glowing winter white arrangement

21 July 2021

Knot a delicate hammock from ripped foliage

Light and airy addition to a floral design to celebrate summer

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.

17 June 2020

Reusable Table Top Lei Armature

An easy to do, budget friendly, craft ahead- use many times floral armature.

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.

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.

21 August 2019

Tie a half bow with ripped grass

For a natural alternative to ribbon or string... add a ripped grass bow.

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.

1 May 2019

An almost not even there grass grid

... with the help of an old staple technique.

20 June 2018

Bundled Phormium with a secret water source

Rip Phormium to create a freestanding bundle armature design.

Related Designs

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.

3 May 2017

Oh just...

Braid a few twigs to dance around your flowers

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

20 August 2014

Summer

A quick and easy design for summer

28 October 2015

On Pumpkin Coloured Days

Create a besom broom to sweep up those Autumn leaves

6 April 2016

Take it for a Spin

Make a clear grid to suspend plant material on

2 April 2014

Apricity

Turning a stand-by floral technique sticky side out

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