My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

How do you do?

22 January 2014
and more

Sometimes you...

… can do...

… quite simply...

… because it is...

… inconceivable..

… that…

... you…

... can not do.

Sign up for my weekly newsletter

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

Tutorials

22 January 2014

That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase

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

2 January 2011

Lilies

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

13 April 2012

A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.

4 December 2013

Large wax snowflakes

Artificial snow can be very "chemical" and flowers deteriorate quickly when exposed to it. It also dissolves in water. I use candle wax as "snow"

22 May 2012

Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

14 June 2023

Fold a crab from grass

A fun coastal touch for your design... a woven crab.

5 January 2022

Double vase Snow Glow Winter Centerpiece

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

11 August 2021

Dried twig collar in a double vase display for gravity sensitive flowers

Putting the focus on the flowers with an ever changing design.

12 February 2020

Manipulate Blossoming Twigs To Hang Fluttering Woven Grass Hearts

These peach blossom branches needed only the tiniest bit of help to frame the woven hearts to perfection.

10 July 2019

Letting grass kick against the side of the vase to create a neat and minimal line

Plant material float about in water. To keep it in place it is best to wedge it slightly to touch the sides of the container.

$Designing with refraction$

11 April 2018

Designing with refraction

Only a few stems create an impressive display if you allow the water to design with you.

11 April 2018

Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.

Related Designs

14 June 2023

Because I am beautiful!

It deserves a bowl all of it's own... right? I am (of course!) talking about these spectacular little sweet peas called King Tut. Not much else is needed. But add a cute little crab and you have a bowl filled with summer.