My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Fall-a-la-lah!

It happens right after the days grow shorter and the Fall wind sweeps its most impressive swirl.

The candies have a lot less apple in them...

and the corn no longer fits in its ucopia.

The fires are all bonned out,

the pumpkins pretty much patched

… and all the Jack o's successfully lanterned.

You can just feel it in the air…all that crisp turning to cold… that’s when Fall merrily let’s go of all it’s spelling

… and this year’s sparkly Fa la la’s tumbles our way.

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Tutorials
Double down on the Fall magic with the earliest hint of bare (but sparkly) Twig Season
13 November 2024
Double down on the Fall magic with the earliest hint of bare (but sparkly) Twig Season

A double vase to keep the bit of sparkle you add to transition a Fall design into Christmas nice and dry... while the fresh plant material remain hydrated.
Filling a vase with water without disturbing the design details
22 May 2012
Filling a vase with water without disturbing the design details

Break the water flow when you fill a vase with details in that can move with the stream of water
Harvesting cyclamen flowers and foliage
22 May 2012
Harvesting cyclamen flowers and foliage

Cyclamen stems are so close together that it is easy to damage the plant when cutting stems.
Secret Battery holder
20 December 2017
Secret Battery holder

Sometimes the best way to hide something in your design is right in the open
That good old double vase trick
22 January 2014
That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals
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.
Corn-o’leaf mummy-o'lantern
12 October 2022
Corn-o’leaf mummy-o'lantern

Wrap and tie a fishbowl vase with corn foliage to craft a lantern for autumn... almost... Halloween.
Weave a willow wreath around a minimal pumpkin display
13 October 2021
Weave a willow wreath around a minimal pumpkin display

It’s amazing how we sometimes try to complicate a design. I tried adding calla lilies… took them out and loved the willow. Added gerberas. Took them out and loved the willow. Added orchids. Took them out and loved the willow. Added Dahlias… and yes, took them out and loved the willow. So finally I just thought- I really do love the willow.
Spiral wire support pressed into a candle
15 December 2011
Spiral wire support pressed into a candle

The wire spirals are supported on wire sections pressed into the wax
Snow puddle armature
6 March 2019
Snow puddle armature

Connect twigs with puddles of artificial snow to craft a winter armature for your flowers.
Lost and found snow mittens
2 December 2020
Lost and found snow mittens

Artificial snow covered cardboard mittens to add to a winter themed design.
Party popper inspired Copper curls for a New Year’s Eve double vase orchid heart centerpiece
29 December 2021
Party popper inspired Copper curls for a New Year’s Eve double vase orchid heart centerpiece

A design that is aged to ring in the new. Perfect for the a New Year's celebration.
Hover winter twig armature with an acetate platform
8 February 2023
Hover winter twig armature with an acetate platform

Crystal clear floral design for winter styling
Tilt container with a spilling twigs armature
9 February 2022
Tilt container with a spilling twigs armature

Perfect design for a warmer than usual winter design that hints at thawing.
A witch... or wizard... hat that you can shape any which way you like
19 October 2022
A witch... or wizard... hat that you can shape any which way you like

Take your time to weave a pointy hat from what you find in nature.
Related Designs
It almost happened today!
6 March 2019
It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright
As light as a super thankful pumpkin
9 October 2024
As light as a super thankful pumpkin

Create a almost wreath floral display that is light and airy... looking like it was just harvested.
Ahead
12 October 2022
Ahead

Oh my... a corn leaf mummy head for autumn... looking ahead to Halloween styling.
Gratitude
13 October 2021
Gratitude

A minimal Thanks Giving design that is a modern take on a wreath
A Very Merry Christmas Star
20 December 2017
A Very Merry Christmas Star

A wire Christmas star with a secret plan to hide the twinkle
Rocking around Three Candle Trees
15 December 2011
Rocking around Three Candle Trees

Wire spirals twisted around candles to make small Christmas trees for the Christmas Eve dinner table
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens
2 December 2020
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box snow mittens… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered.
It’s the most… it’s the most... Toast-iest Patina Christmas of all!
29 December 2021
It’s the most… it’s the most... Toast-iest Patina Christmas of all!

This is the sixth of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. This week I will show you how to go overboard on almost everything... and still get a pretty patina on your copper design details.
It's the moment you recognize the greatest source of strength in something... oh, so fragile
1 January 2014
It's the moment you recognize the greatest source of strength in something... oh, so fragile

Fragile ice baubles, cyclamen and moss design
Snow… drops
8 February 2023
Snow… drops

A late winter design for minimal floral styling.
Pouring
9 February 2022
Pouring

Place a small fishbowl vase at an angle to look like it is pouring out flowers and twigs.
Point Witch (or Wizard) Way
19 October 2022
Point Witch (or Wizard) Way

A wire framed witch or wizard hat that can be reshaped.
Favourite Flowers
Cyclamen
Cyclamen

Cyclamen flower bud and leaf in my Lean design