My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Sprout

a new growth from a seed, root-stock, or the like.

to produce new leaves or buds

to grow or develop something

to appear suddenly...

and in large numbers

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Tutorials
Hiding a secret water source in a twig frog
27 April 2016
Hiding a secret water source in a twig frog

New growth is really difficult to design with and definitely needs to be conditioned and placed in a water source
Bite and snap a sturdy twig
22 May 2012
Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.
A secret trick to conditioning new growth
13 April 2012
A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.
Rethinking the traditional Komiwara technique
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.
Spiral twig frog
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.
Zig-Zag leaf flower frog
27 November 2013
Zig-Zag leaf flower frog

Wire and fold a flat leaf to create a support to rest flowers on in a flat container
Roll spiral blossoms
8 October 2011
Roll spiral blossoms

Cut leaves and petals and roll a spiral blossom
Bring out the pretty spots on the lip of this tiny orchid with a dotted twig stump armature
22 January 2025
Bring out the pretty spots on the lip of this tiny orchid with a dotted twig stump armature

Create a delicate floating and natural display without using floral foam with a twig frog armature.
Pour glue over a stick Bundle to craft a Poke Out Spring stick Armature
5 February 2020
Pour glue over a stick Bundle to craft a Poke Out Spring stick Armature

Fake an early Spring by crafting a long lasting stick bundle that has a blossoming branch of succulent flowers.
Gently peel leaves from the stalk to create a twisted stem end
22 May 2019
Gently peel leaves from the stalk to create a twisted stem end

Roll leaves to create a stopper to keep flowers in place in a bud vase
A round, around a round foliage… spiral in a vase
30 January 2019
A round, around a round foliage… spiral in a vase

Stack foliage to create a rose spiral in a container.
Bundle Support
4 July 2018
Bundle Support

Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.
Stem line-up
21 February 2018
Stem line-up

Line up stems to create a base for the heavy Hanging Heliconia stems
Two vase, two level Phormium snippets
2 August 2017
Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.
Bamboo frog for a shallow container design
10 August 2016
Bamboo frog for a shallow container design

Cut short bamboo lengths to keep your flower material upright in a shallow and narrow container
Related Designs
Lean
22 May 2012
Lean

Place short twigs, leaning to one side to create a flower frog
Serendipity
7 May 2014
Serendipity

Be inspired by traditional Ikebana techniques
Spring Dreaming
18 March 2015
Spring Dreaming

A bowl full of miniature Chrysanthemums
What a find!
14 October 2015
What a find!

Roll autumn leaves to create a frog to keep flowers upright
Spot on!
22 January 2025
Spot on!

Connect the dots with round willow cuts and the spotted lip of the tiniest mini miniature Phalaenopsis orchids
What it’s all about
5 February 2020
What it’s all about

A bundle of twigs armature to create a pretend Spring design for a snowy morning.
Putting your own spin on it
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.
Around Here
30 January 2019
Around Here

Wind lily leaves to spiral around in a water filled container.
Wonder
4 July 2018
Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details
Impossible things
21 February 2018
Impossible things

A cut stem flower frog for the heavy Hanging Heliconia flowers
Grace
2 August 2017
Grace

Use snips and snippets and leftovers to create a design of it's own
Saved up
10 August 2016
Saved up

Cut lengths of bamboo to place in a shallow container as a flower frog