Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Celebrate!
- 23 March 2016
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“It’s A Party… Life is a Celebration!
The passions of architecture and nature converge to ignite your imagination and illuminate your soul. The sights, sounds and scents of this garden will trigger your senses into overload.”
I was invited to exhibit in this year's show as an International Competitor to represent Canada. Competitors came from Canada, Bermuda, France, South Africa, United States, Barbados, United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia to create a design based on the theme “Celebrate!”
My design was inspired by a bubbling glass of Sparkling Wine. But I wanted it to look light and suspended in the moment. I researched aquarium designs and made 9 tubes powered by a small battery to add a constant stream of bubbles between my flowers. Each bubble tube is controlled with a tiny tap to open or close for more… or less bubbles to add dimension.
As plant material I used 140 meters of Tillandsia Usneoides that I wove into garlands with about three strands running up the length of a garland. I also used willow tips manipulated into tendrils and I suspended a total of 120 white Phalaenopsis orchids from 160 meters of beaded wire and fishing line. Each tiny stem was placed in a water filled glass seahorse to keep it hydrated.
Judging of the floral arrangement exhibits at the Toronto Flower Show are by General Show Regulations and the Judging Criteria Of Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards for Horticulture and Floral Design and by International Flower Show Rules, World Association of Floral Artists (WAFA) criteria
Entries:
Invitational class 10 International Exhibitors: Celebrate!
- Staged: on a base
- Area Allotted: 122cm x 122cm x 203cm (48” x 48” x 80”)
- Base and Background colour: Caribbean Coast
The design was judged from the front and both sides
I won a Gold Ribbon for my Celebrate! Floral Art Design
Thank you to Canada Blooms, The Garden Club of Toronto and The Toronto Flower Show and for inviting me to design.
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Tutorials
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...
Weave a barely there all natural spider web.
Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase
Curl the wire at irregular intervals to create a natural wire tendril similar to that of a passion fruit plant
I do not believe in arranging flowers without a water source of some kind. I want my flowers to remain as beautiful for as long as possible and I often get quite creative to...
The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.
When I hang these delicate glass bubbles I want to make sure they are really secure. By slipping them into Macramé inspired knots they are not only hanging securely but the...
I don't always want to wire my test tubes into the design. I like to create a bit of movement by simply hooking the tubes to gently swing.
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Spanish moss, Florida moss, long moss, or graybeard
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
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