My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping

Stick down a grid of clear sticky tape over a shallow container

Stick down a grid of clear sticky tape over a shallow container... but...

(and if you know my work you know that I always do this...)

Place the tape so that the sticky side faces up

Place the tape so that the sticky side faces up.

You can see more details of how I do this in the Tutorials below.

Rest a few frosted twigs over the grid

Rest a few frosted twigs over the grid.

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how I frost twigs.

Place the twigs on the grid so that it mimics nature

Place the twigs on the grid so that it mimics nature.

If you are interested in how and why I do this... or want to learn more of how to create floral illusions in contemporary floral designs, how to place flowers in modern designs or even how to transition from doing traditional work to contemporary work you can find all the details in my book.

Cut the stems of the blossoms as long as possible

Cut the stems of the blossoms as long as possible so that it is in the water when you place it in the container.

Very gently brush down the petals of the blossom

Very gently brush down the petals of the blossom so that it sticks to the sticky tape.

Build up the design

Build up the design by placing the blossoms on the tape grid and brushing down the petals.

Add in tiny buds to rest between the blossoms

Add in tiny buds to rest between the blossoms.

Build up a still life by adding blossoms between the twigs

Build up a still life by adding blossoms between the twigs. Make sure you can brush down as much as possible of each blossom to stick to the tape.

If you dare add a few new sprouting twigs

If you dare add a few new sprouting twigs...

... I say if you dare because new growth is notoriously difficult to condition. I have a tip of how I get around this in my book and I also have a tip for you in my newsletter this week. Make sure to sign up so that you do not miss out on these weekly tips.

Add in a few additional twigs just for height

Add in a few additional twigs just for height.

Design Note: My design remained pretty for about a week before the petals started to turn yellow... with absolutely no petals dropping and blowing about.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

2 April 2014 Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog

Tape a grid over a vase to keep the floral details in place

2 July 2014 Clearly invisible taped Grid

This is the easiest way to keep flower in place

10 July 2013 Wrap a line grid to support plant material in a shallow, stemmed container

Fishing line creates an invisible grid over a shallow glass cake stand to support the plant material

13 September 2017 Tape a grid around the edges of a container for a table top wreath

Suspend flowers with an almost invisible taped grid

15 July 2015 Floating transparent ripples to support delicate floral material

Cut circles out of transparencies to make ripples in the water

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

11 April 2018 Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.

Related Designs

15 April 2020 Helping Spring Stick Around

Blossom petals drop so quickly! Here's a way to make them last just that little bit longer.

3 February 2021 here’s the catch

Weave an all natural net to place over a vase to keep your flowers above water.

30 June 2021 Into a Puddle!

Heat proof floral design for summer.

23 February 2022 Plan Together

Leaning Muscari flowers in a snow covered twig armature.

9 March 2022 …. Aaaaaand tick!

Ever wonder how I decide what I share with you? A fun design ticking all the boxes.

12 April 2023 The word we are looking for is… fun

A leaning twig armature with both the first signs of Spring and the last signs of winter.

31 May 2023 Notice That?/!

Light and airy... like a wonderful breeze on a hot summer day grass and erigeron display.

22 November 2023 Gentle transition

There's no need to rush the seasons. Take it slow and enjoy the plant material that are still available even if you are excited about what is to come...

17 April 2024 In The Time it Takes To Listen To Learn

Ideal design for those flowers that needs a deep soak to remain hydrated.

2 April 2014 Apricity

Turning a stand-by floral technique sticky side out

16 April 2014 Never saw such a lovely day...

Weave a palm thorn garland to decorate for Easter

6 April 2016 Take it for a Spin

Make a clear grid to suspend plant material on

7 June 2017 Dream, Job

Create a grid to rest some plant material so that it floats and some with their stems to rest in the water below

2 July 2014 Clearly contained

Clear containers need clear grids to keep the flowers in place

13 September 2017 Around again

Tape a grid at the edge of a container

15 July 2015 So Fine

Use transparencies to create floating devices for the flower material

10 July 2013 Pink

Weave an invisible grid to float the plant material on