On my online workbook this week: It’s the most… it’s the most... Hap-Hapiest Patina Christmas of all!

Dear

This week's inspiration is making plans to connect this Festive Season.

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. We will explore how to patina Copper and use it to craft beautiful Festive floral accessories. Follow along each week leading up to Christmas to complete the entire mini workshop just before the start of 2022.

Also make sure to have a look at all the new Tutorials below the post. I am adding a few more than unusual this December.

My tip for you this week is all about insinuating character into a design. Floral design is all about communication. Sending a message. Book readers turn to page 355 where I talk about “say it in flowers”

It is more subtle than just pasting a smile onto the face of something you craft or writing a slogan to add into the floral design. It’s everything. It is the angle of your flowers. It’s the colour of the design. It’s adding attitude. And making an effort to add even the tiniest touch for those people who lean in closer to take notice of finer details... the snowman has a baby twig tooth!

What the designer feels can transform a design. Weird tip... but feel it. If you feel it it will automatically translate into what you create. Take a breath and feel love when you create a Valentine’s day design. Feel compassion when you create a sympathy design. Feel the jaunty or goofy attitude when you create a fun glow-man.

If you are struggling a bit to translate the feeling into your design mimic it in your own body language. Have a goofy smile on your face like the one you want to add into the design. Or strike a pose. What you feel always translates into what we create. That is why production line designs feel so lifeless. You can't send Christmas wishes if you really don't particularly care about Christmas wishes. What we do is hard!

If you want to train yourself in design empathy, in experiencing emotions you don't particularly connect with at this moment start listening to movie soundtracks. I always prepare a soundtrack for my bigger design projects to listen to while I work. It is an instant mood creator. And a piece of music can transport you into the fantasy world you are crafting in seconds even in a really stressful situation or when you are exhausted.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: I received a notification from Santa's workshop that there is going to be a whole lot of Effortless Floral Craftsman book shaped packages under your trees this year. This is probably the most exciting thing ever! I can't wait for Christmas day.