Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Nuts and Bolts of Floral Art Mechanics
- 22 February 2012
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Demonstration, workshop and evaluation at the Floral Trends Design Group Meeting, Western Cape Association of Flower Arrangers, South Africa.
The South African Flower Union is a founder member of the World Association of Flower Arrangers
![Innovative floral art mechanics Innovative floral art mechanics](/images/2012/02/christine-de-beer-floral-mechanics-evaluation-design-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Mechanics are the things that hold the plant material we use in place and fed with water.
Visiting South Africa, you quickly learn a phrase that sums up an inventive spirit: "a good farmer makes a plan" (in Afrikaans - 'n boer maak 'n plan). Another way to capture the meaning would be "make a plan with what you have".
![Inventive Floral Art mechanics made of wire and grass coils. Inventive Floral Art mechanics made of wire and grass coils.](/images/2012/02/inventive-floral-art-mechanics-made-of-wire-and-grass-coils-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
It is a trait that can serve every florist. When faced with obstacles, improvise. Find a way, invent creatively and use the resources at hand to create unusual solutions.
With this can-make-a-plan attitude that we tackled our Floral Trends Design Group meeting looking at Floral Art Mechanics from a New/Old perspective.
![The wire coils are covered with wild field grass. The wire coils are covered with wild field grass.](/images/2012/02/anthuriums-and-coiled-grass-floral-art-design-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
I used bale wire as my main mechanics in my evaluation design because it is such a staple in South African creative endeavours- used to make everything from wire toy cars for children to beaded wire home accessories.
![The wire coils are covered with wild field grass. The wire coils are covered with wild field grass.](/images/2012/02/the-wire-coils-are-covered-with-wild-field-grass-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
The wire is covered with wild field grass using a combination between the technique used by farmers to tie bales of wheat and traditional African coiled grass carpets.
![As a water source for the Anthuriums I used water filled metallic party balloons. As a water source for the Anthuriums I used water filled metallic party balloons.](/images/2012/02/as-a-water-source-for-the-anthuriums--i-used-water-filled-metallic-party-balloons-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
As a water source for the Anthuriums I used water filled metallic party balloons rolled and tied to the coiled armature
Our work was evaluated by three judges from the Western Cape Floral Art Judges’ Panel:
My results:
82% Marietjie de la Bat (Chairlady)
90% Kim Zimmerman (Secretary and chairlady of the Floral Trends Design Group)
87% Pam Harris (Treasurer and fantastic Floral Art Teacher)
Average: 86%
The Ribbon System: Gold Ribbon award plus 1 star
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Tutorials
Connect grass covered wire rings with short reed sections to create a natural looking Floral Art armature
A water balloon can be a flexible and durable water source for plant material
Favourite Flowers
Anthurium, Tailflower, painters palette, Flamingo flower
Related Designs
My article and Willow Crown design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine