My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

What is the meaning of this?

9 May 2018
and more

Symbolism of the Gardenia Flower:

Trust and Hope and Purity...

Clarity and Dreams and Intuition...

Renewal and Alignment and

Friendship,

Innocence,

Protection,

Self-Reflection.

Sign up for my weekly newsletter

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

Tutorials

9 May 2018

Incise waxy Gardenia foliage to decorate the edge of a container

Cut a small wedge out of a stack of waxy leaves to keep the flower and twig in place.

1 April 2015

Hana-kubari Bamboo

Hana-Kubari is an Ikebana flower mechanic. Only natural materials such as pebbles, sticks and branches can be seen to support the flowers. Traditionally no twine or wire, nails, or screws or any other man made materials are used

3 January 2018

Using a fork in a twig to “peg” a stem in place

A easy to use Hana Kubari technique

26 April 2017

Hana-Kubari twig

Slip a twig over the side of a container to keep an elegant flower stem upright

2 September 2015

Hana-Kubari Bamboo Stilts with a Hidden Water Source

Split bamboo stems to create a water source for dancing orchids

18 January 2017

T-connect twigs to shadow a design

Split a twig to create a t connection to hover a twig over the design

5 July 2017

Bits of snipped grass glued to create a net

Glue a fragile sheltering net to soften the look of a summer 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

17 November 2021

Wreath-Rim a Vase with sparkling foxtail and twigs

Add a collar around a vase to hint at a wreath for an early Christmas floral design.

21 April 2021

Using the new growth on blossom branches as a base for a woodland design

A fun way to use your blossom branches in a design once all the petals fall.

12 August 2020

Upside down and on it’s side glass display that plays with natural balance

Utilizing those not so obvious characteristics of your design details to make a minimal clear glass summer floral design.

8 January 2020

Leaf-puddle for a short stem in a big vase

Add a leaf to a large-ish vase to create a small puddle of water for your short flower stem to rest in.

Related Designs

1 April 2015

The Space Between

Traditional Hana-Kubari flower mechanic

3 January 2018

Happy Coincidence!

Some designs really do just make themselves. I received this tiny vase for Christmas from Marius (thank you, Marius!) and while cleaning out my design room I found this little twig with a fork in it. Add a ranunculus with a ridiculously gorgeous curve in it's stem... done.