On my online workbook this week: Surround and Sound

Dear

This week's inspiration is being at the edge of winter.

Now, my tip for you this week is to make full use of the creative edge crafting this frosted glass… well… uhmmm… edge gives you.

The glass chips give you all kinds of hooks and crannies to neatly fit your plant material into to keep them in place. But… and this is it right here: it should not look like it was crammed into a nook or cranny.

Hold the glass edge up and see if there are any gaps big enough to fit a stem or any overhanging chips that can create a beautiful curve. Spend a bit of time looking for the creative potential before designing. Visualize what you want to accomplish before starting.

Keep in mind that your plant material should look like it merely grew this way. The best way to achieve this is to design from the tip to the cut end rather than the cut end to the tip. Hold the stem above the container and measure out the stem length you want to add, give it a cut to size. Then when you add the stem, work from the other end. But fit the stem a bit below the tip or flower head (leaving the actual tip and flower head free) into the glass chip and curve the rest of the stem into the water. This creates a natural and free drape.

Go back in and carefully reposition the petals of the vine or stem once it is firmly held in place by the glass chips to finish off the design. You can use a bamboo skewer to reach in and place the tendrils to fall over the flowers. But allow for some freedom so that the design looks effortless.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine