My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Is this new…?

11 May 2022
click to send Christine a smile
and more

“I thought…

How many new lives

Can one

Have?

And then I thought…

As many

as we want”

Quote by Evelyn in the movie The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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Tutorials

11 May 2022

A new twist on the cellophane in a submerged design trick to make space for a stem

Create an invisible "stay under water" for blooms that still leaves space for longer stems in a vase.

3 January 2012

Cellophane wrap cracked ice

Cellophane and plastic wrap in a clear vase, filled with water, creates a cracked ice effect

7 October 2015

Keeping design details submerged in water

Flowers tend to float in water. To keep them submerged you need to add a bit of weight

23 June 2021

Submerged vine wreath armature to beat the summer heat

Water... lots of water- that is the answer to designing flower arrangements that survive the summer heat.

20 January 2021

Trapped Bubble Double Shallow Vase Design

Trap air between two vases to create a third circle... and frame for a small feather hint to a hopeful Spring

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.

6 January 2021

Rolled leaf shelter for a lean-in-closer tiny bud vase design

Create a tiny visual tunnel to focus attention.

30 March 2022

Double water source to keep Carnations hydrated in foliage cones

Quick and easy design... perfect for something tiny to celebrate spring.... everywhere!

27 January 2021

Loop a Monstera leaf stem to craft an underwater hold for a knotted orchid stem

Use the unique qualities of each stem to create a submerged design in a water filled glass vase.

7 October 2015

Magnetic grass bubbles to reposition under water

When suspending items under water it is convenient to add a tiny magnet so that you can reposition it if the water distorts the lines of your design

10 April 2019

Twig cloud mobile

Wire a sturdy cloud shaped armature to hang a heavier water source for thirsty Wisteria flowers.

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.

5 May 2021

Sea glass counter weights to keep leaning top heavy stems from tipping

An easy fix for preventing flowers from falling out of a container

17 May 2023

Light Layer float Wisteria flowers

Craft the softest layer of wisteria flowers that neatly float on water.

10 May 2023

Craft a padded wooden Dowel to position a leaf cone into the sharp teeth of a Kenzan

Prevent a leaf from ripping or bruising when positioning it in your design.

11 January 2023

Unfurl winter’s potential in a snow filled monstera leaf shelter

Capture a bit of winter magic by placing delicate flower buds in the middle of two large leaves.

3 August 2022

Above and below water jasmine in a grass square

Not only is water designs wonderfully refreshing to make... it is also wonderfully refreshing for your flowers.

Related Designs

10 July 2019

These are my favourite summer things:

A submerged design... perfect for summertime designing... and enjoying!

1 July 2020

Oh yes, The Hornet of Tranquility

A minimal... but then with a tiny bug detail... design that is perfect for warm summer designing.

6 January 2021

I tip my (flower) cap!

An enclosed design that invites the onlooker to lean in closer to explore the pretty orchid.

30 March 2022

Cone of Gratitude

Sweet spring design to hold some buds

27 January 2021

Knot how it was supposed to go

When you figure out the "how to" tricks of manipulating plant material it is possible to respectfully set them into seemingly impossible new directions.