Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
A Spring Sprout Wreath Flower Frog
- 24 March 2021
- click to send Christine a smile
For more information on how to design with Tulips turn to page 298 of my book. The How-To at the top of the page is especially helpful if you need some of the tulips to look a bit fuller.
Place a long, narrow container on a working surface...
Place a fresh branch with the thickest end into the container... bend it over...
Book readers: see the new growth? Yes, new growth is notoriously difficult to condition and even though it looks amazing in a design the cellular structure is not developed enough to remain fresh for long. I have a work-around for you! See page 75 - it works really well and looks amazing.
Add in another branch, this time from the other side. Twist the branches so that they are entertwined.
Curve the branches to connect at the top...
Shape the branches into a wreath. For more information on how to weave a wreath see the Tutorial below.
Make sure the cut ends of the branches are securely wedged into the container...
Fill the container with water...
Make sure the cut end of the branches are under water...
... So that it can continue to sprout the gorgeous new growth and remain hydrated.
Add the tulips so that they stand upright with the help of the wreath.
I divided my design into two... one half curving up the one side and the other curving up the other.
...and a tulip to bridge the gap. But this design relies on positive and negative space to convey my message. See this week's notification email where I discuss a way to do this with your plant material. And for a hint to my message. If you are not yet signed up to receive your weekly notification email with a bit more information on what makes each particular design work you can do so with the button below this post.
Curve in grasses.
Anchor the grass with the help of the wreath below the water line...
... And through the wreath to secure it at the top.
Curl a few grasses to curve pointing to the gap... with two curved grasses joining in the middle to become the focal point.
Design note: for more information on curling grasses see the Tutorial below... or refer to the section in my book where I discuss manipulating grasses.
Add a few more grasses to complete the message.
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Tutorials
Tulips continue to grow after being cut. Sometimes when you make a very small design or for competition or bridal work you want to minimize growth. The best way to do this is to...
Here is a trick to make sure your tulips will condition thoroughly
A clever almost concealed wire support to keep a single tulip flower upright in a minimal bud design.
Tulips continue to grow as they open. This means you not only have to be mindful of their proportions as they are now... but also as they will be once open.
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Craft a suspended armature to create a clear winter design.
Wedge snipped twigs into a glass vase to act as a support for your flowers
Carefully manipulate and bend green willow stems to place in water to sprout as an armature for tulips to mature and open
An grass armature that looks scattered but is actually very secure
Favourite Flowers
Tulip
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Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.
Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems
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