Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Rules!
- 21 November 2018
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This is the first of my 4 demonstration designs I did for my book launch last week at the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. To read and see more pictures of the demonstration: The effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter's guide to crafting with nature Book Launch Demonstration
I am a firm believer in rules...
Rules set the standard of conduct and you know what to expect and what is expected of you.
I have always been playing with flowers. As a little girl I used to build fairy tales from twigs and petals. But I am a formally trained florist. And I have dedicated much of my creative journey to the art of competition design where misunderstanding or disregarding the rules in your competition schedule means all your hard work and preparations are wasted.
Somewhere along my creative journey these rules stuck.
I can't really imagine designing without following "the rules". In fact I have an entire chapter in my book where I discuss the rules- when to bend them and when to follow them. It is important to know how to test those tried and tested design rules so that you can continue to innovate and create your own groundbreaking art.
I go through great lengths to, for instance, add a water source to keep my flowers hydrated. This is one of our foundation rules in competitive designing.
... and a foundation rule in my own way of designing. The rules have become part of my effortless style.
See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how I make tiny water tubes from drinking straws.
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Tutorials
Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase
When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need. If you can't find a suitable drinking straw... I also have an upgrade: tiny food grade pipe water tubes.
Use all three methods to dry hydrangeas to get three very different textures to use in design work.
Craft a slightly off center wreath from dried vines and grasses for Phalaenopsis orchids.
A perfect way to use a Lathyrus vine after all it flowered
Rip up the Washi paper for a lace fine armature for floral art
Twist ivy vines around a cardboard shape to create a lace fine Christmas tree mobile.
Favourite Flowers
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
Hydrangea, when cultivated as a cut flower rather as a plant it is often revered to as Hortensia
Related Designs
My book launch demonstration was hosted by my flower-buddies from the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. We looked at what influences our own effortless style... that "thing" that...
This design requires a bit of prep-time so it is perfect to make while waiting for the first autumn leaf to appear…
… and why we call this the special craftsmanship edition
