My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Impossible things

21 February 2018
and more

“Why, sometimes

I've believed

as many as

six

impossible things

before breakfast.”

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

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

Tutorials

21 February 2018

Stem line-up

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

7 May 2014

Rethinking the traditional Komiwara technique

Komiwara is a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

22 May 2012

Spiral twig frog

Multiple tiny twigs create a flower frog to keep the delicate buds and leaves in the exact spot you want.

2 August 2017

Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.

10 August 2016

Bamboo frog for a shallow container design

Cut short bamboo lengths to keep your flower material upright in a shallow and narrow container

22 June 2016

Lily grass spiral in a vase

Twist lily grass slightly to create a spiral for the orchids to nestle in

18 March 2015

Meadow in a bowl

Inspired by a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design called Komiwara. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

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

18 June 2014

Sticking a stick curve to create a hollowed out crescent armature

An easy way to create a neat curve in a very short time

26 November 2014

Sticks stuck in a ground covered foundation

Glue potting soil to polystyrene to create a natural looking armature

22 January 2025

Bring out the pretty spots on the lip of this tiny orchid with a dotted twig stump armature

Create a delicate floating and natural display without using floral foam with a twig frog armature.

13 September 2023

Traditional book folding craft technique turned into an armature… with a me twist

Fold a book into a floral armature... with tricks there to keep the floral material hydrated and suspended.

26 April 2023

New growth Spring frog

Willow cutting left in water will root and sprout... perfect for a all natural flower frog to admire as is or to keep long stem flowers upright.

18 August 2021

Racked up dried Twig Snippets to display a few flower buds

Combining dried and fresh floral details for a easy breezy summer design.

6 May 2020

a Just-Replace-The-Flowers-When-They-Wilt freestanding bark armature

Part of sustainable designing is designing with the entire life-cycle of your work in mind. Designing armatures is a lasting and ever changing design solution.