Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Ichi-go, ichi-e
- 30 August 2011
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Freely translated it means Each Moment, Only Once. It is a saying associated with Japanese tea ceremonies.Poised and graceful.
Three Calla lilies curve under and out of the water bending low in front of the Phalaenopsis orchid.
I crossed the calla lily stems at both sides so that they seem to disappear when you look at the design directly from the front. This also wedges the lilies firmly into place. The orchid seems to be floating, untouched just behind the three stems. Look in my Tutorials to see how I place and keep the orchid exactly where I want it, under water.
I fill the vase nearly to the rim when I do understated glass work. That way I eliminate even the distraction created by the water level line and you really only look at the graceful flowers within the clear vase.
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Tutorials
Follow the flower's natural curve but you can also curve only sections to create an elegant crescent or a curve at the tip of the stem
Flowers naturally float and you will need some kind of sinker to keep them suspended under water.
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.
Break the water flow when you fill a vase with details in that can move with the stream of water
Favourite Flowers
Calla Lily, Arum Lily
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Related Designs
Place a water tube at an angle in lumber so that the Zantedeschia float just above the base to show off the delicate grass snippets scattered up the stem
Create a subtle contrast by floating or anchoring some of your design elements.
Stack two vases to create a small gap at the side to keep a leaf upright
Stack a few glass containers and fill each with water to a different level.
A submerged design... perfect for summertime designing... and enjoying!
Ooooh! Am I excited to show you this design. It is an ordinary fishbowl vase... balanced on it's side.
When you figure out the "how to" tricks of manipulating plant material it is possible to respectfully set them into seemingly impossible new directions.
