On my online workbook this week: ‘Twas and is celebrating with our rituals for hope and renewal that really Crafts a special Christmas

Dear

This week’s inspiration is the winter solstice coming up on Sunday… a reminder to not just design for sparkle, but also for the quiet rituals that restore us.

My design note for you this week is the choices you need to make to shape the twigs into a ball. You want the twigs to dry into the rounded shape from twig tip to sturdier main branch. To do so you need two perfect ingredients: the first is to choose a rounded fishbowl shaped container, only make sure it has a wider opening to make it easy to remove the delicate dried twigs. Also make sure the glass is strong so that it won't shatter when you wedge in the stems. An ordinary fishbowl vase will not be strong enough. It should be made from thicker glass.

And then… choose fresh twigs that will easily bend into the glass shape. The twigs must be flexible from tip to cut stem. The tips easily shape into the rounded bowl as you press it down. But you will need to bend the thicker cut end into the bowl (see the picture above) to make sure the tips stay inside to dry into the shape. Once you have the perfect twigs to design with, soak the twigs in warm water for at least two hours before starting with the design.

Bend the pliable twig to test where it is most flexible and to what point can you curve the stem into the container without it snapping. It is easier to insert the twig into the bowl if you know how the twig bends. You will notice that there is a natural point in the twig that is still pliable but no longer as flexible. It is important to find this spot on your twig because that is the section that you curve into the bowl to kick against the side to keep the shape while it dries.

Bend as much of the twig that is flexible into the round container so that it curves into a ball shape inside the container. Be careful not to break the finer twig tips but use a bit of force to really wedge in the main branch of your twig. If it can kick into place (without it popping out) it will be easier for you to weave and hook in more twigs (see the picture above) without it slipping out. Once that first twig is wedged into position you can go in and wedge in the next stem around it. And the more twigs you can wedge in there the better the entire armature will keep its shape. No glue needed! Hook the stem ends together (see the pictures above) to make it easier for you to remove the armature as one unit once it is dried into the bauble shape.

Once dry the twigs would have shrunk slightly and be less flexible making it easy to simply lift out of the bowl-mould.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine