Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Spring Coil Straw Basket
- 20 March 2024
- click to send Christine a smile
For my design I am using the flat wire that I unravel from a copper pot scrubber.
This is by far my favourite wire to use. It is a flat wire that is so easy and versatile to craft with. And the copper looks natural in rustic designs. See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to unravel the pot scrubber. And I also have a free mini workshop for you on how to patina copper- I will also link that below.
Wrap the wire around cane to secure.
I like the strength weaving cane gives to the straw garland but you can also use rope or wire as a base for the straw garland.
Place a pinch of straw over the wire.
Wrap the wire around the straw to create a small bundle...
Wrap down the straw length to where the bundle starts to thin out.
Add the next pinch of straw below that.
Wind the wire around the straw to secure it to the cane.
Keep adding a pinch of straw at a time and secure it with the wire to the cane...
See that bit of straw going all free range out there at the top... oh yes... it is definitely part of the design. That really is the benefit of making the basket you want to design in yourself. You can pay attention to details from the straw up. To day in our email I talk a bit more about how I deal with flaws in my design... and how to make sure it looks deliberate and not unkept. If you are not yet signed up for the weekly notification (always on a Wednesday morning - Vancouver time) email that I send out the moment the new design is ready for you to view you can sign up below this post. Also I would love to hear form you if you have questions or comments... or say hi.
Add straw and wind it in place with wire all the way down the cane to create a long straw garland to coil with
When you reach the end of the cane add the last pinch of straw to extend past the tip...
Wind the wire around the straw and slip the wire through the straw to secure.
This also gives you the opportunity to change the direction in which you wind the wire...
Reverse the direction and continue to wind the down the straw garland...
Crossing the wire over the first wire binding.
When you reach the other end split the straw and slip the wire through the straw...
Wrap the wire around the straw garland and knot it in on itself to secure.
Knot a few bits of wire every here and there.
One of my favourite things about copper scrubber wire is...
And use a knife to curl the wire like you would ribbon.
Giving you these pretty ringlet curls every here and there.
Quick and Easy way to add a tiny decorative detail to the design.
Fold the tip of the straw garland over and secure it with hot glue.
You can absolutely also stitch the basket as you go along. Book readers turn to page 252 where I show you how to coil (and stitch) some slip on sandals. For more information about my book:
The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Fold the next section of the straw garland over the first and secure it with hot glue
Continue to coil the straw garland and secure it with glue as you go along.
This part is the flat base of the basket so continue coiling until you are happy with the size for your basket.
When you are happy with the size of the base angle the coil slightly up and start to glue the straw to the top of the coil below to start on the sides.
Coil the straw garland around and around, gluing the straw one coil on the other to build up the sides of the basket.
When you are happy with how deep the basket is start on the handle. Fold the cane garland to point up...
Secure the straw with hot glue on both sides to keep the garland neatly pointing up.
Extend the handle to arch over the basket to the other side...
Use a bamboo skewer to wiggle open a guide hole for the handle in the straw basket...
Add a generous drop of glue to the handle end...
Fit the handle into the guide hole to secure it to the basket.
Just to make extra sure stitch the handle in place with the wire.
Your little straw basket is ready to design with.
Glue in a few contorted hazel twigs...
And a few water tubes to keep your fresh floral details hydrated...
I make these tiny water tubes from pipe. See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions.
Glue in a few straw bits every here and there... but make sure they are secure so that they don't flop about making the design look unkept.
(See the notification email for more details).
Slip your flowers into the water tube...
And conceal the water tube by gluing a bit of straw over it.
Finish the design with a few sparkling dew drop crystals.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how I add the crystals exactly where I want them.
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Tutorials
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Up-cycle a pot scrubber to get a huge roll of very pretty copper wire
The colour and the effect will vary due to application, temperature and humidity.
Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature
My Chameleon is mono-botanical. Made from coiled grass
Fold and then stitch a long fall leaf garland to roll into a coil
Sturdy and easy to make... a small harvest basket ready for all the Spring flowers still to come.
After the last petal drops cut the blossom twigs into snippets to craft a basket with.
Tiny stems are often also delicate stems... place your cut flowers directly in a small glass of water. A perfect fit for this basket.
Favourite Flowers
Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts
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