My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Cover Story

In my book I describe “effortless designing” as what happens when we have done our preparations, learned and practiced our techniques and are now crafting our work. We can forget all about concentrating on “perfect” technique and our talent takes over. Our work just seems to happen effortlessly when we are designing in our own authentic style.

For my cover design I wanted to capture that moment of effortless designing. You have just placed the last detail into a design. It is crafted in your authentic, effortless style. And it turned out just a little bit better than you thought possible… which really is the goal, isn't it?

So... here we go... this is how I crafted my design... and you will see my “that moment” just after, captured for the cover of my book: the effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter’s guide to crafting with nature.

Photo shoot for the cover of my book the effortless floral craftsman

I always take a few moments… yes, with a few sips of coffee, to look at my design when I am done.

Pictures for the cover of my book the effortless floral craftsman

A quick retrospective to learn, but also to appreciate.

Front cover of Christine de Beer's book the effortless floral craftsman

We create with the most extraordinarily beautiful medium- that is worthy of taking a moment!

Fiddlehead Fern and Red Lipstick Hanging Heliconia

I used drying Fiddlehead Ferns to create the black tendrils to emphasize the unusually delicate Red Lipstick Hanging Heliconia flower heads.

Cover design for the effortless floral craftsman book by Christine de Beer

I am so happy with how it turned out. It has an almost dream-like quality to it. I wanted the design to be very "me" and at the same time I wanted the design, and not me, to be the focal point. This one design picture needed to capture what I am trying to say in the entire book. Uncluttered and minimal but still intricate. And truly my effortless floral craftsman design moment. Designing for a cover is a lot of pressure!

Book update:
You guys are amazing! But like… amazingly, amazing. The first batch of the advance special craftsmanship edition books sold out within hours. Thank you so, so much. I signed, wrapped and mailed off a book to everyone on the list. Your book is on it’s way… or do you have your copy already!?!

If you want to make sure you are first in line for one of the second batch of advance books, please pre order your copy as soon as possible. I will again sign, wrap and mail out these books the moment I get them. The binders promised it will be ready somewhere between next week or the week after.

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

Tutorials

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.

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

26 July 2011 Wire Tendrils

Curl the wire at irregular intervals to create a natural wire tendril similar to that of a passion fruit plant

21 February 2018 Stem line-up

Line up stems to create a base for the heavy Hanging Heliconia stems

23 May 2018 Trailing Ceropegia woodii vines from a Heliconia flower

Set the rosary vines into the natural cavity of the flower head.

15 March 2017 Wedding welcome and direction sign

Hang a twig and wood mobile at your weeding as a direction board

23 May 2018 Trailing Ceropegia woodii vines from a Heliconia flower

Set the rosary vines into the natural cavity of the flower head.

Related Designs

25 September 2018 Book cover design: the effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter’s guide to crafting with nature

In my book I describe “effortless designing” as what happens when we have done our preparations, learned and practiced our techniques and are now crafting our work. We can forget...

17 April 2019 Hopping with Excitement

A hoppingly-fun Spring design for Easter.

8 May 2019 It takes more than one person to invent a trumpet!

Filling a trumpet flower cup... with more flowers!

19 June 2019 Club together

Last Wednesday I had such a flowery fun evening teaching a collaborative floral carpet workshop focusing on braiding and weaving ideas from my book the effortless floral craftsman...

19 June 2019 Magic Flying Floral Carpet Ride -Collaborative Workshop

Some picture highlights from our collaborative workshop that I taught focusing on braiding and weaving techniques to create a floral carpet design.

25 September 2019 It’s one and a half to two times... but to the side

Soft minimal... this is exactly the kind of design I place in our apartment. Use a few fall treasures picked up on a walk and add a copper leaf to up the effort and love you add...

12 August 2020 A lesson in letting be

Deceptively simple. A design that relies on you working with not against what is already there.

26 August 2020 It starts with WHY

Add design elements that serves a purpose for a minimal summer inspired floral design.

21 April 2021 All A-flutter

Adding a few fluttering petals to a design.

26 May 2021 From all sides

An all on one side design to admire roses from all sides.

9 June 2021 Making Waves

A quick and easy to do cascade design for summer.

26 April 2023 Oh So Me

Snip and grow willow to create a Spring new growth support for your tall flower stems.

16 August 2023 Canned right after harvest

Pull tab support for "canned" Calla lilies and bunny-tail grass.

13 September 2023 I am a fan!

Giving my book a super fan make-over.

21 February 2018 Impossible things

A cut stem flower frog for the heavy Hanging Heliconia flowers

19 September 2018 Before I show you my book- let me show you my book

… and why we call this the special craftsmanship edition

29 August 2018 It’s not that it is inexpensive… it’s priceless!

Yes, this Coil slip on sandals design is in my book: the effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter’s guide to crafting with nature ... it is also the first design from the...

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 ...

16 August 2017 Making Ends Meet

Criss-cross corset style connect the gaps in a Monstera deliciosa leaf

15 March 2017 Wedding Welcome

My article and wedding direction board design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

15 June 2016 One tug

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

7 October 2015 Down-bubble

Add grass "bubbles" that can be repositioned to your design

2 October 2013 Prickly

Build a twig porcupine armature for fall flowers

23 May 2018 In Summer!

A contemporary cascade of rosary vine and dried petals.