My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

See you around

Weave it over...

and then under

through

and through

tuck it all back around...

and that's all you need to do.

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Tutorials
Curving Calla Lilies
30 August 2011
Curving Calla Lilies

Follow the flower's natural curve but you can also curve only sections to create an elegant crescent or a curve at the tip of the stem
Weaving Willow spheres
25 January 2012
Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
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.
Just hatched willow twig egg armature
16 April 2025
Just hatched willow twig egg armature

Craft a cracked egg shape armature for an Easter display.
Protect your “mercury” glass vases with a reusable lining when using wire as a mechanic
16 October 2024
Protect your “mercury” glass vases with a reusable lining when using wire as a mechanic

How to protect glass vases from scratching when using wire as a mechanic
U shape stems to anchor Fuchsia drops and Maple leaf Falls in a bud vase
18 October 2023
U shape stems to anchor Fuchsia drops and Maple leaf Falls in a bud vase

Bend pliable stems to kick against the side to anchor design details exactly in place in a small vase.
Turn some gladiolus leaves into a pumpkin vase collar
27 September 2023
Turn some gladiolus leaves into a pumpkin vase collar

A collar for a vase that you can use throughout the season... simply replace the water and the flowers inside the vase.
Use the pull tab of a can to keep your floral details in place
16 August 2023
Use the pull tab of a can to keep your floral details in place

Love anchovies cans. And if you fold over the pull tab just so it is perfect for keeping even longer stem flowers upright.
Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details
21 September 2022
Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details

Using those much treasured dried autumn details to bridge the gap between the bright green of summer and the brightness that is yet to come.
Happy twig glow-man proudly showing off it's copper star garland
1 December 2021
Happy twig glow-man proudly showing off it's copper star garland

Craft a twig and foam snowman with an inner glow.
Hellebores, Foxtail and copper star garland for a happy glow-man
1 December 2021
Hellebores, Foxtail and copper star garland for a happy glow-man

This is the second part of my twig glow-man Tutorial... and probably the easiest garland you can possibly make.
Over the edge flower, floral support
29 September 2021
Over the edge flower, floral support

Hook the calla lilies over the edge of a vase to create a support for your taller floral details.
Balance a cake stand lid on it’s side to create a leaning design
24 April 2019
Balance a cake stand lid on it’s side to create a leaning design

Suspend a flower for an unusual but minimalist design over a leaning container lid.
Single blade wrap armature
10 October 2018
Single blade wrap armature

Fold a single blade of grass or slender leaf around a small container to stand your flower in position
Clematis Vine Swing
18 April 2018
Clematis Vine Swing

Weave a delicate nest for a small spring design.
Willow birdcage
14 March 2018
Willow birdcage

Weave a willow birdcage to use as a wedding ring box
Standing a water tube at an angle in lumber
30 August 2017
Standing a water tube at an angle in lumber

Create a minimal design by placing a single flower on a platform
Related Designs
I Break For Beauty
16 April 2025
I Break For Beauty

A cracked Easter Egg willow armature for hiding some treats...
And there you glow
16 October 2024
And there you glow

A glowing autumn display of vases to scatter around every here and there.
Drops do that!
18 October 2023
Drops do that!

Collecting drops of autumn that makes me smile back.
this NEEDS to be at the top of my (our?) to-do list
27 September 2023
this NEEDS to be at the top of my (our?) to-do list

Autumn bud vase collar made from gladiolus foliage.
Canned right after harvest
16 August 2023
Canned right after harvest

Pull tab support for "canned" Calla lilies and bunny-tail grass.
Balanced Attitude
21 September 2022
Balanced Attitude

Getting the balance just so... so that you lean into the first sights of Autumn.
It’s the most… it’s the most... Hap-Hapiest Patina Christmas of all!
1 December 2021
It’s the most… it’s the most... Hap-Hapiest Patina Christmas of all!

This is the second of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Craft a three twig sphere snow man to proudly display a festive green garland.
Creative Direction
29 September 2021
Creative Direction

Hang the arum lilies from the edge of a container to support all the other floral details.
Put aside
24 April 2019
Put aside

Urgh… my glass cake stand broke leaving me with a still beautiful, but now mismatched and extremely inspirational lid...
From A... for Acer to Z… for Zantedeschia
10 October 2018
From A... for Acer to Z… for Zantedeschia

This week we look at the design featured in the Flower Guide Chapter at the very end of my book
Swing Vine
18 April 2018
Swing Vine

Weave a delicate vine swing to nestle a small vase with spring flowers in
Old, new trends
14 March 2018
Old, new trends

My article and willow birdcage design for wedding rings featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.
If
30 August 2017
If

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
New Year's Wreath
4 January 2017
New Year's Wreath

Decorate an artificial wreath with fresh flowers and frosted twigs
Stacking the odds in your favour
2 December 2015
Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.
So
30 September 2015
So

A willow sphere to display your first Autumn treasures.
Favourite Flowers
Zantedeschia
Zantedeschia

Calla lilies in my Direct Contrast design for the Floral Trends Design Group