My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

It goes like this...

16 May 2018
click to send Christine a smile
and more

Up and then there is a Bend

Around the Curve

At the Angle,

With a hook,

And a bow,

Making an Arch

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Tutorials

16 May 2018

Adjusting the curve in plant material

It is possible to curve or adjust a curve in plant material

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.

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.

30 August 2011

Curving Calla Lilies

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

20 April 2016

Free standing Willow twig armature with a hidden water source

Cut a few willow twigs to split to create legs for the armature

25 June 2014

Musical staff line armature

Drill holes into sticks to create a suspended armature

30 August 2017

Standing a water tube at an angle in lumber

Create a minimal design by placing a single flower on a platform

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.

16 August 2023

Use the pull tab of a can to keep your floral details in place

Love anchovies cans. And if you fold over the pull tab just so it is perfect for keeping even longer stem flowers upright.

21 September 2022

Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details

Using those much treasured dried autumn details to bridge the gap between the bright green of summer and the brightness that is yet to come.

29 September 2021

Over the edge flower, floral support

Hook the calla lilies over the edge of a vase to create a support for your taller floral details.

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.

Related Designs

27 January 2016

Well, I'll be

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

20 April 2016

That Will Be

Freestanding willow twig armature design

25 June 2014

Fine Tune

Thread cane through sticks to make a music inspired armature

30 August 2011

Ichi-go, ichi-e

Freely translated it means Each Moment, Only Once. It is a saying associated with Japanese tea ceremonies.

13 October 2011

Direct Contrasts

I have always been fascinated, as a designer, by the idea that there is a point when extremes or direct contrasts flip into its opposite.

17 July 2012

So far so green

The only thing I needed to make these avocado green arums perfect was a small admirer...

30 August 2017

If

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