My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

These are my favourite summer things:

let me see... there's...

Peachy pineapple coloured sunsets

Finding that song that will always remind me of this summer.

Lazy splashy luke warm summer rain

Late light evening walk and talks

The fragrance of sun ripened and fire charred and freshly mowed afternoon breezes

Movie theaters that are exactly goosebumps temperature inside

Hopefully pinching out the flowers on plants that have faded out of bloom

… and watching how lines jump when designing in deep water

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Tutorials
Letting grass kick against the side of the vase to create a neat and minimal line
10 July 2019
Letting grass kick against the side of the vase to create a neat and minimal line

Plant material float about in water. To keep it in place it is best to wedge it slightly to touch the sides of the container.
Suspending and positioning a Phalaenopsis orchid under water
30 August 2011
Suspending and positioning a Phalaenopsis orchid under water

Flowers naturally float and you will need some kind of sinker to keep them suspended under water.
Magnetic grass bubbles to reposition under water
7 October 2015
Magnetic grass bubbles to reposition under water

When suspending items under water it is convenient to add a tiny magnet so that you can reposition it if the water distorts the lines of your design
Removing Oasis Floral Adhesive glue spills
30 August 2011
Removing Oasis Floral Adhesive glue spills

The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.
Keeping design details submerged in water
7 October 2015
Keeping design details submerged in water

Flowers tend to float in water. To keep them submerged you need to add a bit of weight
Stretching leaves and foliage into a ringlet curl
15 April 2015
Stretching leaves and foliage into a ringlet curl

Most leaves and foliage can be slightly manipulated to curve or curl.
That good old double vase trick
22 January 2014
That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
Prevent scratches, rust and water stains on display surfaces
17 July 2012
Prevent scratches, rust and water stains on display surfaces

This is a great, non permanent way to protect surfaces from damage
Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water
11 April 2018
Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.
Bubble raft to float flowers
3 January 2012
Bubble raft to float flowers

Flowers naturally float in water. They just don’t always naturally float on water. For that they sometimes need a bit of help.
Magnetic grass bubbles to reposition under water
7 October 2015
Magnetic grass bubbles to reposition under water

When suspending items under water it is convenient to add a tiny magnet so that you can reposition it if the water distorts the lines of your design
A knot and a lean and hand full of snippets in a bud vase
22 February 2023
A knot and a lean and hand full of snippets in a bud vase

Using all parts of a small bunch of iris flowers to craft a unique display.
Above and below water jasmine in a grass square
3 August 2022
Above and below water jasmine in a grass square

Not only is water designs wonderfully refreshing to make... it is also wonderfully refreshing for your flowers.
A new twist on the cellophane in a submerged design trick to make space for a stem
11 May 2022
A new twist on the cellophane in a submerged design trick to make space for a stem

Create an invisible "stay under water" for blooms that still leaves space for longer stems in a vase.
Loop a Monstera leaf stem to craft an underwater hold for a knotted orchid stem
27 January 2021
Loop a Monstera leaf stem to craft an underwater hold for a knotted orchid stem

Use the unique qualities of each stem to create a submerged design in a water filled glass vase.
Related Designs
Ichi-go, ichi-e
30 August 2011
Ichi-go, ichi-e

Freely translated it means Each Moment, Only Once. It is a saying associated with Japanese tea ceremonies.
Down-bubble
7 October 2015
Down-bubble

Add grass "bubbles" that can be repositioned to your design
Swimmingly
6 February 2013
Swimmingly

Fold a grass fish for an easy going underwater design detail
Follow the line
11 April 2018
Follow the line

Stack a few glass containers and fill each with water to a different level.
Stay-a-Float
11 July 2018
Stay-a-Float

Snip florets from a hydrangea mop head to float on water
How do you do?
22 January 2014
How do you do?

Snow and twigs winter design
Today I'll be
23 March 2013
Today I'll be

Silhouette design using glasses filled with water
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.
Jump out at you
22 February 2023
Jump out at you

Early iris flowers in a bud vase.
It's a Heatwave!
3 August 2022
It's a Heatwave!

Deep water design for extremely warm weather.
Is this new…?
11 May 2022
Is this new…?

Giving old ideas a new twist to refresh it for Spring
Knot how it was supposed to go
27 January 2021
Knot how it was supposed to go

When you figure out the "how to" tricks of manipulating plant material it is possible to respectfully set them into seemingly impossible new directions.
Favourite Flowers
Gerbera
Gerbera

Floral art demonstration design with Gerbera and twigs.