My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Knot... that easy

Oh.... wait...

… that means

it is

exactly

as easy as …

knot and off we go!

Kinda...

crazy right?

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Tutorials
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.
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.
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.
Bamboo frog for a shallow container design
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
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
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container
16 January 2019
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container

Craft a suspended armature to create a clear winter design.
Place delicate stems at an angle in a shallow fiber lined container
23 February 2022
Place delicate stems at an angle in a shallow fiber lined container

Line a shallow container with fiber to create a mat for the flowers to hydrate and stand in the exact way you want to place them.
Replacing water in a shallow container design without disturbing the design elements
8 October 2014
Replacing water in a shallow container design without disturbing the design elements

Our goal as designers is to create the best environment for our flowers to stay as beautiful and fresh for as long as possible. When we condition flowers we always remove any leaves that will fall below the waterline of the design to prevent the leaves from deteriorating and rotting. Decaying leaves encourages bacterial growth which plugs the vascular system of the flower stems preventing water uptake.
Standing flowering stems in shallow puddles
13 August 2014
Standing flowering stems in shallow puddles

Making a truss out of sunflower stems for a free standing design
Sturdy, blossoming armature in a shallow puddle
16 March 2022
Sturdy, blossoming armature in a shallow puddle

If you know just a bit more about the "why" we do the things we do it is easy to discover new "how's". This week I show you why it is possible to design with blossoming twigs in a shallow puddle.
Trapped Bubble Double Shallow Vase Design
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
Weave a foliage grid for a shallow container
19 February 2014
Weave a foliage grid for a shallow container

Keep flowers neatly in a shallow container
Wire wrap for a shallow container to keep a twig arch armature neatly in place
15 September 2021
Wire wrap for a shallow container to keep a twig arch armature neatly in place

Wrap a wire around both ends of a shallow container to keep the twigs in place.
Wrap a line grid to support plant material in a shallow, stemmed container
10 July 2013
Wrap a line grid to support plant material in a shallow, stemmed container

Fishing line creates an invisible grid over a shallow glass cake stand to support the plant material
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container
16 January 2019
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container

Craft a suspended armature to create a clear winter design.
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
Related Designs
In a State of Flow
28 January 2015
In a State of Flow

weave some willow to use as an armature
Saved up
10 August 2016
Saved up

Cut lengths of bamboo to place in a shallow container as a flower frog
Every. Single. Week.
16 January 2019
Every. Single. Week.

Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.
Hope Bubble
20 January 2021
Hope Bubble

That good old double vase trick... but this time I deliberately added a bubble between the two layers to create a third circle in the design.
March Days
28 February 2018
March Days

Line up a few frosted twigs to march across a shallow container
Come on Over
19 February 2014
Come on Over

Weave an open foliage flower frog
Blowing this way and that
15 September 2021
Blowing this way and that

Craft an arch armature to display those early autumn treasures.
Pink
10 July 2013
Pink

Weave an invisible grid to float the plant material on
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!
Favourite Flowers
Oncidium
Oncidium

Cherry twig cocoon with Oncidium orchids and dandelion seeds