My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

It’s a sugar rush!

In Autumn, as the chlorophyll breaks down…

the green colour in the leaves disappears.

Yes, temperature,

sunlight

and soil moisture all play a role in how the leaves will look in the fall

… but this bright red pigments (anthocyanins) are manufactured from the sugars that are trapped in the leaf!

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Tutorials
Weave a burst of overgrown wildness wreath
18 September 2019
Weave a burst of overgrown wildness wreath

This wreath is perfectly imperfect. Perfect for using those first few autumn (or preserved from last autumn) leaves.
Weaving a twig wreath
1 November 2011
Weaving a twig wreath

For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling copper wire into the weave
Drinking straw "test tubes"
4 January 2011
Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.
Placing orchids in test tubes
25 August 2011
Placing orchids in test tubes

Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.
Cut spiked flower stems and foliage into short sections
16 August 2011
Cut spiked flower stems and foliage into short sections

Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible blunt stem.
Autumn Screen
29 November 2017
Autumn Screen

Craft a hanging twig and autumn leaf design
Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals
8 July 2015
Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Willow flower crown
7 September 2016
Willow flower crown

Loosely weave willow tips to create an ethereal crown
Weaving Willow spheres
25 January 2012
Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
Four wreath harvest basket that looks like it grew that way… because now some of it still is!
23 October 2024
Four wreath harvest basket that looks like it grew that way… because now some of it still is!

Harvest some cuttings to root in a wild and overgrown floral design.
Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details
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.
Copper Pepper Berry Wreath
3 November 2021
Copper Pepper Berry Wreath

Wire pepper berries to a wreath
Spring breeze tangled ribbon wreath
7 April 2021
Spring breeze tangled ribbon wreath

Using branches pruned from a fruit tree... with a few dried flowers and just a few orchids to make a fresh Spring design.
Related Designs
Marcescent
29 November 2017
Marcescent

Glue a delicate autumn room devider
Delicate
4 November 2015
Delicate

Bleached Gypsophila wreath with delicate autumn touches
On The Street Where You Live
1 November 2011
On The Street Where You Live

A floral design snapshot of what it looks like when walking down the streets of Vancouver this week.
You are all invited!
7 September 2016
You are all invited!

My article and Willow Crown design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
Strangeness
17 August 2016
Strangeness

Weave a wreath to display air plants on
How to make an early Spring
24 February 2016
How to make an early Spring

Roll and set willow twigs into a spring
Haerfest
23 October 2024
Haerfest

Rooting clematis cuttings in a harvest wreath basket
Balanced Attitude
21 September 2022
Balanced Attitude

Getting the balance just so... so that you lean into the first sights of Autumn.
Coppepeppepepper wreath
3 November 2021
Coppepeppepepper wreath

Wire dried pepper berries to a wreath with super fancy flat wire (okay... it's the humble wire from a copper pot scrubber but it still looks fancy!)
First we learn HOW to design… and then we learn how only WE design.
7 April 2021
First we learn HOW to design… and then we learn how only WE design.

Whipped up to be light in the Spring breeze wreath design.
Favourite Flowers
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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