My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Been there, Seen that

My article and woven heart shaped basket design featured in the in the third anniversary issue of

DIY Weddings Magazine

Bridal couples start to collect ideas long before they actually start to make or order objects for their wedding. The internet has made finding inspiration for design details easier than even before. Sharing that inspiration has also never been easier with inspiration boards like Pinterest.

Sharing inspiration is part of the fun, especially with friends that will most likely also be getting married soon. This can easily result in "been there, seen that" design details

What do you do if you really want to have a unique wedding?

The secret is to be inspired by the feeling a design gives you rather than the design itself.

Search your feelings for why a specific design element appeals to you. You might love the idea of vintage tea sets. Why? Do they remind you of a more refined time? A happy childhood memory of playing tea party? A memory of your relationship to share?

Is there something that reminds you of your family history or heritage?

The answers will enable you to make a design element your own, and significant, by adding your personal story.

You do not have to try to create uniqueness, all you have to do is recognize your own uniqueness and then identify why the design element speaks to you and elaborate on that.

For example, a bride to be may want favour and flower baskets for her wedding because it reminds of romantic picnics.

By weaving this one of a kind heart shaped natural Midelino Cane basket she can elaborate on the romance and take the idea of a basket, and make it uniquely personal.

Thank you DIY Weddings Magazine for inviting me to be part of your third year anniversary issue. It is filled with creative inspiration. Have a look at the on-line magazine.

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Tutorials
Weave a heart shaped basket
4 September 2013
Weave a heart shaped basket

An easy to assemble open weave basket
Foliage Weaving
8 June 2011
Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in weaving techniques. You can build on this technique to make floral handbags, gift boxes, and baskets, sew it into a curve or wrap it around a vase or cover a test tube.
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.
Just hatched willow twig egg armature
16 April 2025
Just hatched willow twig egg armature

Craft a cracked egg shape armature for an Easter display.
Suspend flowers above water on two wires covered with ringlet "happy birthday streamers" made from grass
19 March 2025
Suspend flowers above water on two wires covered with ringlet "happy birthday streamers" made from grass

Create a wire platform to rest the fresh flowers on so that they are hydrated but not submerged in the water below the grass dome.
Catch Blossom Petals in a Pussy Willow tray basket
2 March 2021
Catch Blossom Petals in a Pussy Willow tray basket

An easy to assemble yourself harvest basket to carry home and display Spring blossoms.
A floral float… that floats
20 May 2020
A floral float… that floats

If you know my work you have probably seen me do this: I float flowers using a tiny bubble wrap skirt... this time I am floating an entire design on it's own bubble wrap raft.
Zig-Zag fold plastic for a flower stem support
23 January 2019
Zig-Zag fold plastic for a flower stem support

Zig Zag fold clear plastic for a flower stem support that looks like ice
Vein Veil For Freesias
22 August 2018
Vein Veil For Freesias

Cut a slight veil to frame your flowers with
Craft a Spring basket from a wreath
21 March 2018
Craft a Spring basket from a wreath

A wide gap nearly basket for nearly spring
Weave green strips of willow bark into a nest
15 June 2016
Weave green strips of willow bark into a nest

Strip bark from willow to eave and set into a shape
Related Designs
I Break For Beauty
16 April 2025
I Break For Beauty

A cracked Easter Egg willow armature for hiding some treats...
Let’s
19 March 2025
Let’s

... take a moment of reflection as we celebrate 5 years! Happy 5th birthday to my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Spring Tray-ning
3 March 2021
Spring Tray-ning

A Spring basket design for catching falling blossom petals.
Whatever floats your boat
20 May 2020
Whatever floats your boat

This is one of my best known and still my go-to core techniques for floating flowers.
Do they have cold feet?
23 January 2019
Do they have cold feet?

Keep flower stems upright with a folded cellophane plastic support that looks like cracked ice.
FreestyleFreesia
22 August 2018
FreestyleFreesia

Dutch floral designer Pim van den Akker, from Flower Factor invited me to participate in a FloraHolland initiative promoting the versatility of Freesias entitled #FreestyleFreesia Here is the extended version of my video.
Bring some Spring
21 March 2018
Bring some Spring

Just like the weather is only hinting at spring, so is this design only hinting at being a basket
One tug
15 June 2016
One tug

Weave willow bark strips into a nest and weave a bird from flax
Favourite Flowers
Freesia
Freesia

White freesia buds and florets on my "Been there, Seen that" design