Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
A new twist on the cellophane in a submerged design trick to make space for a stem
- 11 May 2022
- click to send Christine a smile
Oh yes, using cellophane or acetate to keep flowers submerged under water in a design is a tried and tested staple in our technique toolbox. But it is rather limiting because you basically fill the entire container with a cellophane lasagne leaving you no space to add longer stems... here's an update around (yes quite literally around) that.
To get you started I have added a few links to submerged designs below this Tutorial and book readers turn to page 139 for yet another update on this technique.
For more information about my book:
The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Measure and cut a section of cellophane to fit around a glass container.
Pour a bit of water into a glass container.
Close up the opening and swish the water around.
To make sure the sides are wet. Pour out the water.
Turn the container on its side and place the florets, flowers or petals that you want to submerge carefully into the wet container.
Roll the container while you add the flowers so that they can be placed all round.
Because the container is still moist inside the flowers stick to the sides just long enough for you to finish the design.
Fill the entire container or just place a few flowers here or there... whatever suits your design idea.
Roll the cellophane so that it can fit into the opening of the container.
Slip the rolled cellophane into the container...
And allow it to unroll inside the container to keep the flowers against the wall of the vase.
Fill the vase with water...
Leaving all the flowers on the outside of the cellophane with a large gap to even angle a stem in the middle.
Perfectly pretty just like this... but wait... there's more...
Roll a monstera leaf into a cone and secure with floral glue.
Leaving a stem sized hole in the stem side of the leaf.
Slip a wisteria flower spike through the hole so that the buds drape inside the cone.
Make sure the flower stem in long enough to be in the water once in the vase so that it remains hydrated.
Place the stem into the flower filled vase.
My favourite thing about using this technique... well apart from being able to show off a longer stem... is that it is so secure. The flowers are not crushed against the sides but you can easily carry or transport the design without the flowers sloshing about and getting damaged. In this week's email I tell you a few other benefits of using this technique. make sure you are signed up to get your weekly tip. The signup is below this post.
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Tutorials
Cellophane and plastic wrap in a clear vase, filled with water, creates a cracked ice effect
Flowers tend to float in water. To keep them submerged you need to add a bit of weight
Water... lots of water- that is the answer to designing flower arrangements that survive the summer heat.
Trap air between two vases to create a third circle... and frame for a small feather hint to a hopeful Spring
Plant material float about in water. To keep it in place it is best to wedge it slightly to touch the sides of the container.
Create a tiny visual tunnel to focus attention.
Quick and easy design... perfect for something tiny to celebrate spring.... everywhere!
Use the unique qualities of each stem to create a submerged design in a water filled glass vase.
When suspending items under water it is convenient to add a tiny magnet so that you can reposition it if the water distorts the lines of your design
Wire a sturdy cloud shaped armature to hang a heavier water source for thirsty Wisteria flowers.
Part of sustainable designing is designing with the entire life-cycle of your work in mind. Designing armatures is a lasting and ever changing design solution.
An easy fix for preventing flowers from falling out of a container
Related Designs
Softest Wisteria colour to cool things down on an unexpectedly warm day.
A submerged design... perfect for summertime designing... and enjoying!
A minimal... but then with a tiny bug detail... design that is perfect for warm summer designing.
An enclosed design that invites the onlooker to lean in closer to explore the pretty orchid.
When you figure out the "how to" tricks of manipulating plant material it is possible to respectfully set them into seemingly impossible new directions.
A tiny budvase design that rearranges basic ingredients, such as a single leaf and an orchid to create a new design concept.
Position foliage to create a smaller, shallow pond for your floral details to shelter in.
Freely translated it means Each Moment, Only Once. It is a saying associated with Japanese tea ceremonies.
