My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Adding tendrils to an already fluffy papyrus puff ambel

Place water filled bud vases of a display tray.

Place the papyrus stems in the water.

Fluff out the paparys so that it looks wild and overgrown

Slip an Inca lily stem through the papyrus.

Make sure the flowers are shadowed by the greenery.

Cut a few tendrils from a vine.

Gently stretch out the tendrils.

So that they will be visible when you add them to the design...

Glue in the tendrils...

I have a bonus tip for you this week in my newsletter about where to add the tendrils so that is looks natural. Make sure you are signed up to read this exclusive... only seen there... tip each week.

And position them to look more natural.

If you are interested in learning more about adding design details in a natural way... turn to page 273 of my book where I talk about Crafting An Illusion.

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Tutorials
Hula skirt for a glass vase
28 August 2019
Hula skirt for a glass vase

Hawaiian Hula skirt for a Luau inspired flower arrangement.
Lily grass spiral in a vase
22 June 2016
Lily grass spiral in a vase

Twist lily grass slightly to create a spiral for the orchids to nestle in
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening
19 February 2013
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without breaking it.
Curling Rattan
28 May 2013
Curling Rattan

Curl and twill rattan tendrils
Bundle Support
4 July 2018
Bundle Support

Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar
25 April 2012
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar

"Plaid" and "braid" are synonyms, and where you are from will most likely dictate whether you use plait (British) or braid (American or Celtic). Some people also refer to cornrows as braids or refer to pinned up plaits as braids. A French braid is a braiding technique.
Sliced Grassy Cabbage
25 May 2016
Sliced Grassy Cabbage

Slicing a cabbage to create an armature for a vegetable design.
Driftwood beavers lodge
21 August 2012
Driftwood beavers lodge

Stack and glue driftwood to rest on bottles to create a frog to keep thin blades of grass neatly in place
Bundled Phormium with a secret water source
20 June 2018
Bundled Phormium with a secret water source

Rip Phormium to create a freestanding bundle armature design.
Ripped Grass Frame
6 November 2012
Ripped Grass Frame

Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass
Related Designs
But... what are you Like?
28 August 2019
But... what are you Like?

A fun design... with a hula skirt (...for the cool summer breeze to arrange and rearrange)
Perfection
22 June 2016
Perfection

Spiral grass to create a nest for the lady slipper orchids
Putting your own spin on it
22 May 2019
Putting your own spin on it

I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.
Wonder
4 July 2018
Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details
Words Matter.
24 April 2012
Words Matter.

Braiding and plaiting and knotting hair is a huge trend in hairdressing at the moment. Intricate little plaits are draped over long flowing hair to add complexity and quirk. It’s a lovely design trend to add to floral art.
Half the Fun
25 May 2016
Half the Fun

Cut a cabbage to create a design platform
Just Right! Floral Art demonstration: Too Cold!
21 August 2012
Just Right! Floral Art demonstration: Too Cold!

My first design in my demonstration at the BC Floral Art Society meeting
A Bundle of Pretty
20 June 2018
A Bundle of Pretty

A dried bundle of ripped flax hides a secret water source for the orchids
Mr. Stalk, the Seriously Terrifying Scarecrow, on his Day Off
6 November 2012
Mr. Stalk, the Seriously Terrifying Scarecrow, on his Day Off

An easy going design of ripped grass and calla lilies. But look a bit closer. See if you can find Mr. Stalk relaxing somewhere between the blades of grass.
Super Cute!
8 July 2020
Super Cute!

A simple placement of bud vases... with the tiniest of lemon coloured twist that makes them unusual.
Favourite Flowers
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria

Rocking around three candle trees floral art design with berries, dendrobium orchids, alstroemeria, cymbidium orchids and lisianthus flowers