On my online workbook this week: This Just In

Dear

This week’s inspiration is how quickly the pollinators puzzle out how to get to the delicious flowers… even 7 stories high… behind the glass panels of our balustrade… in an balcony garden.

My design note for you this week is about puzzling out what are your natural favourites. For instance, if you enjoy assembling puzzles this week’s Tutorial is the technique for you! You observe the natural shape of the twigs… and slot them in together.

My advice is about double hot glue…urhm… gluing. My number one question about armatures is always: how do I keep it from falling apart? Unfortunately there is the hard work way or you can… no there is only the hard work way. The armature will fall apart if you are cutting corners when assembling it. You have to, absolutely, have to make sure that each piece is wired, pegged or glued in three places. This is the only way to create a really robust armature. So yes, gluing in the pieces can either be meditative or monotonous (depending on your personality) but you have to remain mindful as you build it up. If you are picking up this armature, more so if you are traveling with it, it simply has to be connected in the right way.

There are a few ways that you can use to secure your armature. Some designers soak the twigs in wood glue and stack those. Some wire it together. Some drill into the wood on both sides and add pegs. I find that hot glue works for me because I enjoy the challenge of being mindful of my three connections as I build. Now, remember hot glue melts hot glue. Be careful where you add the new twig when you design a second layer (as we are doing this week) of your hot glue bowl so that you do not melt and move the first layer of glue. You have to inspect the twigs around the new layer to see if the hot glue is still secure in the bottom layer.

Take a deep breath and lean into the process. This is exactly like a puzzle. Only there is no lid on this puzzles box to use as a guide, only the shape of the twig to use as inspiration. Let the shape reveal itself to you and remain curious. Every twig will find a spot where it simply, and naturally (see the pictures above) slots into position. That is the whole point.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine