My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Pro-Tip:

6 May 2026
and more

The thing is…

if people are not accepting of you...

picking out those “filled with potential” bits

and saving them

as the treasures they are…

out of what might look like garden compost

to the untrained eye…

then you are hanging out with the wrong people, flower buddy.

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Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

6 May 2026

Save a snipped grass bundle to tie into a flower frog

Grass bundles are creative and unique sustainable floral arranging solutions that are also quick to do

4 July 2018

Bundle Support

Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.

2 August 2017

Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.

18 March 2015

Meadow in a bowl

Inspired by a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design called Komiwara. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

20 June 2018

Bundled Phormium with a secret water source

Rip Phormium to create a freestanding bundle armature design.

22 May 2012

Spiral twig frog

Multiple tiny twigs create a flower frog to keep the delicate buds and leaves in the exact spot you want.

20 May 2015

Grass Bundle

A grass bundle floral armature

3 May 2017

Three Twig Bundle Braid

Braid bundles of twigs to create an armature for flowers to dance in

28 October 2015

Besom Broom

The word ‘Besom’ derives from the old English ‘besma’ meaning ‘bundle of twigs’.

18 February 2026

Knotted parcels to position your plant material in a design

Tie a few Papyrus stems into bundle-parcels with lily grass.

13 July 2016

Woven lily grass parachute armature

Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature in a way that you can place the stems in two vases to keep it hydrated.

24 August 2022

Balloon out grass to craft a framed armature

Carefully bubble out a tied bunch of grass to make a cavity to display gorgeous flowers.

7 May 2014

Rethinking the traditional Komiwara technique

Komiwara is a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

24 September 2025

Weaving a fan

It looks impressive... but... and don't tell anyone... this fan is rather easy to craft. It will just take a while to craft.

5 July 2023

Latch an imperfect stem support for thin stemmed and heavy design details

Bundle and tie a few stems to create a support for even heavy design details.

22 June 2016

Lily grass spiral in a vase

Twist lily grass slightly to create a spiral for the orchids to nestle in

7 December 2016

Flat wire and grass bridal basket

Wrap grass around a flat wire shape to create a delicate bridal basket design

20 March 2024

Spring Coil Straw Basket

Coil a straw basket... the easy way.

1 May 2012

Cinderella Spiral Pumpkin from Midelino Cane Coils

Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature

27 December 2023

Christmas twig wreath, cinnamon bundles, clove garlands and roses of orange peel candle holder

Take the whole waste free design concept a whole lot further by displaying all your Christmas simmer pot ingredients... ready to be harvested as needed.

5 July 2011

Tie an Iris leaf tassel

A tassel (also called a tuft) consist of: A suspending cord, the body, a fringed or ornamental skirt

Related Designs

4 July 2018

Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details

22 May 2019

Putting your own spin on it

I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.

2 August 2017

Grace

Use snips and snippets and leftovers to create a design of it's own

18 March 2015

Spring Dreaming

A bowl full of miniature Chrysanthemums

22 May 2012

Lean

Place short twigs, leaning to one side to create a flower frog

20 June 2018

A Bundle of Pretty

A dried bundle of ripped flax hides a secret water source for the orchids

20 May 2015

Up on

Tie a bundle of grass as a floral mechanic

3 May 2017

Oh just...

Braid a few twigs to dance around your flowers

28 October 2015

On Pumpkin Coloured Days

Create a besom broom to sweep up those Autumn leaves

18 February 2026

Knot rushing this design moment

Knot a few papyrus stem parcels to keep your delicate plant material in position.

13 July 2016

Woven

Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature for orchids to perch on

24 August 2022

Hot air balloon

A grass bubble to frame two of the most beautiful calla lilies.

7 May 2014

Serendipity

Be inspired by traditional Ikebana techniques

24 September 2025

Are you a fan?

Weave a fan... and add calligraphy inspired floral details using another fan favourite Tutorial... drying hydrangeas.

5 July 2023

The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan

A easy going summer design that makes full use of the imperfections you harvest from your cut garden.

22 June 2016

Perfection

Spiral grass to create a nest for the lady slipper orchids

7 December 2016

Oh! So clever

My article and Bridal basket design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

20 March 2024

the arc of Success

Coil a straw basket for an Easter display

1 May 2012

Center the more adventurous design ideas on your centerpieces

Designing adventurous Contemporary Floral centerpieces Article in the Canadian Florist Magazine.

27 December 2023

A Very Merry Dried Orange and these from My Greenhouse to yours Trendy Christmas Cheer

And of course I would add the environmentally friendly-estest floral design option to top all the rest. Reusable and upcycled... and smells wonderful.