My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Staying connected

My article and floral cell phone re-charge station design featured in
DIY Weddings Magazine


Technology has definitely joined the party

Staying connected floral art design

The use of mobile devices are no longer a sign that someone has disconnected from what is happening in their immediate environment, but rather a symbol of connectedness on a wider scale.

It can even help to connect with and include friends and family that could not attend the ceremony. Planning your wedding now also includes finding clever ways to Incorporate technology.

You can plan a fun photo booth for your wedding reception, a Pinterest inspiration board, use Instagram to share your special day, create a website for out-of-town guests, or have a Twitter hashtag to keep the party going.

Inevitably there will be guests whose mobile devices run out of battery life just as they eagerly want to share your wedding details online. A charging station can be a place to connect devices and a wonderful conversation starter to connect with fellow guests in person. A recharging station need not be all cables clutter and unsightly electrical cords.

Cymbidium orchids and mushroom on twigs

You can create a special floral center piece that cleverly conceals all the hardware, keeping in mind that there are special design considerations when concealing it.

Floral cell phone charging station

The electrical outlets and devices generate a lot of heat. Do not fully cover the station and choose flowers that will not wilt easily. Also dry material can cause a fire hazard.

Arch design

While it is best to have some sort of a water source for the fresh flower material in the design, be aware of possible water spills and electrocution.

Cymbidium orchids, moss and mushroom on twigs

Allow for easy and convenient access to the power outlet and cables without risking the beautiful design to become damaged by over eager users. Make sure that the back of the design is finished off neatly if any one peaks behind to plug something into the electrical outlet.

Supply a few chargers with different connectors and leave a few power outlets open for those who have their own chargers.

Christine de Beer Staying Connected DIY Weddings Magazine article

Thank you DIY Weddings Magazine for inviting me to contribute.

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

Tutorials

24 June 2015 Twig Cell phone Charging Station Centrepiece

Create an arched design to hide the electrical outlet for a cell phone charging station

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

25 August 2011 Placing orchids in test tubes

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

13 April 2012 Drying Mushrooms for Floral Art

I use edible mushrooms in my designs. To preserve them I press a tiny stake into the base and let them air-dry.

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...

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Cymbidium

Cymbidium, Boat Orchid

Related Designs

9 December 2015 On a Grand Scale

My article and a floral panel design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

14 September 2016 Hang on!

Macrame inspired handing seahorse vases

28 December 2016 A Jingle Cotton Christmas

Cover a wreath frame with bark and cotton for a textured Christmas wreath design

2 May 2018 Over the rainbow

Craft a radiating design that suspends from the orchid stems

1 January 2020 How to freeze a wow moment

Create a long lasting winter inspired floral design that looks like it is frozen in time.

19 February 2020 The Upside of being Inside

A creative design that has some height to it without blocking the view. This can easily be scaled up or down to match the environment you want to display it in.

29 July 2020 Tail end of the story

Craft a bark platform to design on in a foxtail fern frond.