Put aside

Suspend a flower for an unusual but minimalist design over a leaning container lid.

Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.

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...

Hana-Kubari is an Ikebana flower mechanic. Only natural materials such as pebbles, sticks and branches can be seen to support the flowers. Traditionally no twine or wire, nails,...

Curl and secure a few blades of flax into a bubble to frame your flowers

Most leaves and foliage can be slightly manipulated to curve or curl.

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

Slip a leaf into the gap between two glass containers to keep it upright... and add a plastic lining to support the flowers nestled into it.

Cymbidium, Boat Orchid

Gently curve a shallow area with a leaf to showcase a gorgeous flower with a short stem in a water filled vase

Ooooh! Am I excited to show you this design. It is an ordinary fishbowl vase... balanced on it's side.

Deceptively simple. A design that relies on you working with not against what is already there.

Add design elements that serves a purpose for a minimal summer inspired floral design.

All natural design using the design elements as mechanics.

A more than just a hint of Christmas tradition design... in a pre-Christmas design.

The tiniest flower adds some much needed coolness to a summer floral design.

Oh my! Picked from my balcony garden... after I thought I completely missed it blooming.

Half moon frosted glass chip edge for a winter themed design.

This week we look at the design featured in the Flower Guide Chapter at the very end of my book

Traditional Hana-Kubari flower mechanic

Weave a few spheres to create a simple design

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

... a quick an easy design. Curl a few flax leaves to frame orchids

Every designer knows how to stretch their supplies. We use and re-use our dried plant material until our fellow designers feel like hiding it from us. I formed such an...