My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

In a State of Flow

"A state of mind

you achieve

when

you

are

fully immersed

in a task"

Quote by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi

If you are intersted in Flow Physhology you can read more about it on Wikipedia

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Tutorials
Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave
28 January 2015
Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave

Weave a sprouting armature
The difference between detailing a sprouting stem for a floral design and pruning a stem
28 January 2015
The difference between detailing a sprouting stem for a floral design and pruning a stem

Give the stem a closer cut to detail for floral art
A secret trick to conditioning new growth
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.
Foliage Weaving
8 June 2011
Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in weaving techniques. You can build on this technique to make floral handbags, gift boxes, and baskets, sew it into a curve or wrap it around a vase or cover a test tube.
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening
19 February 2013
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without breaking it.
Stripping foliage from weaving stems
11 February 2015
Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with
Willow nest roll that continues to grow for a Spring display
26 March 2025
Willow nest roll that continues to grow for a Spring display

This design is meant to be long lasting and ever changing... make now and enjoy all the way to Easter and beyond
Have your heart set on it armature for Valentines Day
12 February 2025
Have your heart set on it armature for Valentines Day

A prepare ahead armature design that relies on the strength of a heart shape.
A growing Paperwhite paperweight to secure twirling passion fruit vines under water
8 January 2025
A growing Paperwhite paperweight to secure twirling passion fruit vines under water

This design takes a few weeks to make... but lasts a few weeks longer growing and evolving all on its own.
Slip-slit tapped in stems to keep vines upright in a muted autumn display
25 September 2024
Slip-slit tapped in stems to keep vines upright in a muted autumn display

A tiny adjustment in a stem wedged into a vase mechanic to give you even more control over the placement of design details.
Use Firethorn spears for a Vine and Orchid twist support
17 July 2024
Use Firethorn spears for a Vine and Orchid twist support

Sharp thorns can be used to keep your floral details in place
A secret and so pretty stay open support for a growing willow birdcage
6 March 2024
A secret and so pretty stay open support for a growing willow birdcage

Grow your own willow birdcage in a small pot to display Spring flowers in.
Knot willow twigs around a shallow container to keep tiny orchid stems upright
7 February 2024
Knot willow twigs around a shallow container to keep tiny orchid stems upright

An all natural flower frog that adds to the design feel.
U shape stems to anchor Fuchsia drops and Maple leaf Falls in a bud vase
18 October 2023
U shape stems to anchor Fuchsia drops and Maple leaf Falls in a bud vase

Bend pliable stems to kick against the side to anchor design details exactly in place in a small vase.
Tap in support for horizontal placement of your top heavy flowers
9 August 2023
Tap in support for horizontal placement of your top heavy flowers

Placing gladiolus stems horizontally so that the stems... disappear.
Latch an imperfect stem support for thin stemmed and heavy design details
5 July 2023
Latch an imperfect stem support for thin stemmed and heavy design details

Bundle and tie a few stems to create a support for even heavy design details.
Blossom Twig Heart Frame… with a twist in the middle
15 February 2023
Blossom Twig Heart Frame… with a twist in the middle

Curve and tie a blossoming twig into a heart... that can suspend a heavy flower head.
Weave a lily grass shelter for a suspended flower stem
2 March 2022
Weave a lily grass shelter for a suspended flower stem

Hide the prettiest of flowers in the entire bunch in plain sight by framing it with elegant grass.
Floral Raft in a Bottle
7 July 2021
Floral Raft in a Bottle

Float flowers in a bottle by giving each flower their own little bubble wrap raft-skirt.
Baby’s Breath Wave Cascade
9 June 2021
Baby’s Breath Wave Cascade

Easy and quick arrangement to do for summer in a vase... with just enough complexity to make you feel real good about yourself.
A radiating, gradient carnation design in a shallow container
12 May 2021
A radiating, gradient carnation design in a shallow container

A bit of Kenzan support for a floating shallow container design
Using the new growth on blossom branches as a base for a woodland design
21 April 2021
Using the new growth on blossom branches as a base for a woodland design

A fun way to use your blossom branches in a design once all the petals fall.
Twig float for a single lemon blossom
5 August 2020
Twig float for a single lemon blossom

This design is all about that line there where the water meets the lemon blossom stem...
Overgrown vine tangle to suspend flowers in a clear vase
10 June 2020
Overgrown vine tangle to suspend flowers in a clear vase

A zero waste and sustainable floral design solution to keep your flowers exactly where you want them without using floral foam.
Create a break in a willow twig to support a flower stem
14 November 2018
Create a break in a willow twig to support a flower stem

Break a willow twig at and angle to support your flowers
Tap in a Twig Support
4 April 2018
Tap in a Twig Support

Wedge snipped twigs into a glass vase to act as a support for your flowers
Willow birdcage
14 March 2018
Willow birdcage

Weave a willow birdcage to use as a wedding ring box
Creating contrasts in shallow containers with pebbles and water
17 January 2018
Creating contrasts in shallow containers with pebbles and water

Such a peaceful design with just enough float and "stay put" elements
Acorn fork
22 November 2017
Acorn fork

Wire and glue a few acorns into the fork of a twig to create an Autumn armature
Related Designs
Spring Roll
26 March 2025
Spring Roll

oh yes... Spring is definitely rolling in with some fresh growth on the willow just to prove it!
A tendril Valentine connection
12 February 2025
A tendril Valentine connection

A delicate... but robust armature framing a heart space.
this IS new
8 January 2025
this IS new

Growing a design... all new... and fresh and blooming well into New Year.
Toning down the summer up into the earliest autumn
25 September 2024
Toning down the summer up into the earliest autumn

Using summery floral details in a way that it gives you all the autumn feelings... when autumn details are not yet out.
Refresh-ing
17 July 2024
Refresh-ing

A tall vase for a short orchid stem summer design
A Stay Open
6 March 2024
A Stay Open

Grow a willow birdcage... with a bit of a Spring flower support to get it started.
Knot... that easy
7 February 2024
Knot... that easy

An all natural shallow container design solution...
Drops do that!
18 October 2023
Drops do that!

Collecting drops of autumn that makes me smile back.
Look at me… doing math!
9 August 2023
Look at me… doing math!

Adding our own "bit" to our floral design work.
The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan
5 July 2023
The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan

A easy going summer design that makes full use of the imperfections you harvest from your cut garden.
If you frame it that way…
15 February 2023
If you frame it that way…

A blossom frame to display the prettiest anthurium of the whole bunch!
The thing!?! Do you remember the thing?!?
2 March 2022
The thing!?! Do you remember the thing?!?

A design that visually plays with good proportions to allow the sheltered flower to be the focal point.
Do and Don'ts
7 July 2021
Do and Don'ts

One of my trusty tried and tested techniques. When the going gets hot... float your flowers!
Making Waves
9 June 2021
Making Waves

A quick and easy to do cascade design for summer.
It’s up there
12 May 2021
It’s up there

Whether it’s a solid foot for floating flowers, the tips of new growth or the curve of a dried twig your design needs help to stay upright.
All A-flutter
21 April 2021
All A-flutter

Adding a few fluttering petals to a design.
Spare a Moment
5 August 2020
Spare a Moment

A tranquil design that just takes a moment to do... when you need to take a moment to... breathe.
All Out
10 June 2020
All Out

An all out effective way of keeping a flower stem in the exact spot you want it to be in a clear water vase design.
For just this moment… let’s take a break
14 November 2018
For just this moment… let’s take a break

Simplicity to showcase the perfection of the Lisianthus buds
Grow on it
4 April 2018
Grow on it

Wedge twigs into a vase to create a grid.
Old, new trends
14 March 2018
Old, new trends

My article and willow birdcage design for wedding rings featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.
Flowering Between a Rock and a Hard place
17 January 2018
Flowering Between a Rock and a Hard place

Create a subtle contrast by floating or anchoring some of your design elements.
How do squirrels Cache a tree?
22 November 2017
How do squirrels Cache a tree?

Hoard a few acorns in the fork of a twig to show off a single oncidium orchid.
Well, I'll be
27 January 2016
Well, I'll be

Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems
Favourite Flowers
Anthurium
Anthurium

The Floral Trends Design Group Old and New Demonstration
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

I wove three willow spheres for my Floral Art design Three Drops of floral chocolate.