My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

A Neighbor friendly way to deflate a balloon

I don't like to simply pop the balloon- it is a bit violent for the delicate edges. If you slowly deflate a balloon you can protect the Papier Mache from ripping.

Stick a short section of clear tape to the balloon.

Smooth the tape to make sure it's secure.

Make a hole in the balloon through the tape with a pin.

Pull out the pin and let the balloon deflate slowly

Because it is not a violent pop you can control how the paper release from the latex.

Help the thin sections to release with a nail cuticle pusher.

Press the balloon to release slowly.

Perfect cracked shell edges.

Remove the balloon.

Hatched Papier Mache Easter Eggs ready to design with

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Tutorials
Using sisal and wood glue to make a rigid and versatile foundation for floral art armatures
22 March 2017
Using sisal and wood glue to make a rigid and versatile foundation for floral art armatures

Wrap thin, glue soaked sisal fibers around a balloon or ball to create a barely there armature
Pin Protea foliage into a curl
22 March 2017
Pin Protea foliage into a curl

The sturdy Protea leaves holds it shape even when dried when pinned into place
Skewered Foliage Garland
22 March 2017
Skewered Foliage Garland

Create a garland that dries well with rolled up leaves
Add plant material and a wire support to sisal armatures
22 March 2017
Add plant material and a wire support to sisal armatures

Customize sisal armatures by adding a wire skeleton and interesting bits of plant material
Washi Wasp Nest
28 September 2016
Washi Wasp Nest

Washi Papier Maché armature
Connect the dot grass Armature
3 February 2016
Connect the dot grass Armature

Connect the ends of grass snippets to create a spherical grass armature
Glue a Sisal Fiber Bubble
8 May 2013
Glue a Sisal Fiber Bubble

Mix Sisal fibers and glue to make a bubble
Skeleton Leaf Flameless Candle Cocoon
17 April 2013
Skeleton Leaf Flameless Candle Cocoon

Cover a balloon with skeleton leaves to create a cocoon
Just Hatched Papier Mache Easter Eggs
7 April 2012
Just Hatched Papier Mache Easter Eggs

Glue newsprint paper to balloons to make large egg shaped containers to design in
Related Designs
Biomimicry
22 March 2017
Biomimicry

A design demonstration and workshop at the Floral Trends Design group in South Africa exploring how we emulate nature’s best biological ideas to solve our modern day design problems.
I found it this way: Wasp nest design
28 September 2016
I found it this way: Wasp nest design

This was the second design I did in my "I found it this way" floral art demonstration
Connect the dot
3 February 2016
Connect the dot

Connect snippets of grass to create a shelter for your flowers
Hide-and-go-peek
17 April 2013
Hide-and-go-peek

Create a soft light by making a leaf cocoon for a flameless candle
Spring Clean
7 April 2012
Spring Clean

A clean Easter design. The tiny blossoms are Kalanchoe 'Calandiva Pink'. Tucked low in the paper eggs are a few Cymbidium orchids and the twigs are contorted hazel. The feathers are made from Kyogi or shaved wood.