My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

A tiny pebble to keep it all in place

Place an upturned bowl on a flat surface

Place an upturned bowl on a flat surface...

Curve a blade of grass

Curve a blade of grass.

If you are unsure of how to curl grass see the detailed instructions in the Tutorial below. Book readers turn to page 288 where I cover how to manipulate grass. The trick on page 289 is perfect for this!

Place the grass on the container and secure it in place with a small pebble

Place the grass on the container and secure it in place with a small pebble.

Fill the base of the container with water

Fill the base of the container with water.

Adjust the curl to curve elegantly

Adjust the curl to curve elegantly...

Before we add the flower make sure to read this week's tip in our notification email. It's again just that tiny added extra that makes all the difference. You are welcome to respond to the email with any comments or questions- I created it just for that reason. If you are not yet signed up, the button is just below the post. I send out one email, always on a Wednesday morning to let you know before anyone else that the design is ready.

Slip the orchid under the stone

Slip the orchid in under the stone...

Making sure the stem is in water so that it remains hydrated

Making sure the stem is in water so that it remains hydrated.

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

Tutorials

15 April 2015 Stretching leaves and foliage into a ringlet curl

Most leaves and foliage can be slightly manipulated to curve or curl.

13 July 2016 Woven lily grass parachute armature

Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature in a way that you can place the stems in two vases to keep it hydrated.

13 January 2016 Stacked Grass Pyramid Armature

Stack snippets of grass on a wire frame to make a floating pyramid armature

13 March 2019 Interweave an enchanted gift basket

A bit of a planned-messy woven basket that is sturdy enough to carry small items.

5 April 2017 Weaving a Pillbox hat from grass

Use the "over and under" weaving pattern to weave a round, upright hat with a flat top and no brim.

25 January 2017 Detailing a messy edged grass basket

Weave a basket from lily grass and then cut and curl the edges

29 May 2019 Weaving and Interweaving for contrast

My block design is shaped around a Styrofoam block. It is bulky but lightweight and a great way to reuse packaging.

15 January 2020 Over and under weave floral panel armature for inside a vase

Weave a small panel that fits snugly in a container for a minimal, foam free design that is quick to make but looks spectacular.

22 April 2020 Weave a trendy oversized clutch purse with a hidden magnetic closure

A three in one Tutorial to show you how to weave a clutch purse, how to add a magnetic closure AND how to incorporate a ribbon into a weaved design.

Favourite Flowers

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid

Related Designs

10 March 2021 The way we curve

Tiny minimal design that explores curves.

6 April 2022 Gaps between those in-between Spring days

Give a minimal design a few grass "whiskers" to feel that Spring breeze.

13 July 2016 Woven

Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature for orchids to perch on

13 January 2016 Once Upon A Time

Stack and glue a Grass Pyramid Armature

13 March 2019 How to avoid your wedding treasures from becoming “after the event trash”

My article and grass wedding basket design.

5 April 2017 Easter Bonnet

Weave a delicate Pillbox hat

25 January 2017 What is in a basket of spectacular?

Weave a basket with dangling edges for a single orchid display

29 May 2019 Creative Competition

This week I am so excited to share my article and design that was published in the recent issue of the Floral Art Society of New Zealand's Academy Magazine for NZ qualified...

15 January 2020 This way we connect

Weave a connected panel to frame a single orchid.

22 April 2020 Yes… but what would she put in it?

Some floral fashion inspiration: weave a pretty clutch purse