My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Balanced branch with dangling macrame vases

Wedge a branch into the opening of a display container

Wedge a branch into the opening of a display container

Okay... wait. Maybe we should take a step back because actually finding a perfect branch is really the trick, I think. This week in your notification email I tell you more about what to look for when buying branches to design with. And I do suggest you rather buy branches from a reputable and sustainable source rather than forage. The sign up is below this post.

Also if you are still searching for your perfect large design branch... I have a Tutorial below on how to assemble one from smaller driftwood pieces.

Knot fishing line to string up the tiny vases

Knot fishing line to string up the tiny vases...

Book readers turn to page 175 for a How To for this Macrame inspired way to hang vases. If you want more inspiration for choosing vases (other than the glass seahorses I have here turn to page 196 and for a much, much quicker way to hang the vases (in fact quickly try this- you will be amazed how well it works...) turn to page 80. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

... but I have another Tutorial for you linked below this post to get you started.

And hang the vases to dangle from the branch

And hang the vases to dangle from the branch.

Wire a few of the vases

Wire a few of the vases...

And slip that into the cracks in the driftwood

And slip that into the cracks in the driftwood so that...

The vases are secured to stand away from the branch when filled with water

The vases are secured to stand away from the branch when filled with water.

Place the Phalaenopsis orchid into the water filled vases

Place the Phalaenopsis orchid into the water filled vases.

Add a few jasmine vines into the vases to drape over the driftwood branch

Add a few jasmine vines into the vases to drape over the driftwood branch.

And add a few sparkling dew drop crystals to finish the design

And add a few sparkling dew drop crystals to finish the design.

See the Tutorial below for how I add these crystals with a pin.

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

Tutorials

24 April 2013 Macramé hanging vases

Knot wool to create a catch to hang tiny bud vases from

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

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

28 December 2011 Macramé inspired hanging test tubes

When I hang these delicate glass bubbles I want to make sure they are really secure. By slipping them into Macramé inspired knots they are not only hanging securely but the...

18 January 2012 Butterfly feeler hooks for swinging test tubes

I don't always want to wire my test tubes into the design. I like to create a bit of movement by simply hooking the tubes to gently swing.

4 November 2020 Pot-scrubber copper wire curls and autumn twig twirls bud vase toppers

A quick solution for a minimal horizontal autumn display -on top of bud vases.

29 March 2017 Three Tier Wire Ring Chandelier

Bend and weave three wire wreaths to string up as an air plant chandelier

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

25 August 2011 Placing orchids in test tubes

Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.

26 June 2012 Driftwood precariously perched on the edge of a pebble

Wire and glue the driftwood at an angle to balance on a pebble

27 August 2012 Up-cycle CD base for driftwood

Stack and glue a few used CD's to create a secure base for a simple piece of driftwood

Favourite Flowers

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid

Related Designs

17 August 2022 Branch Manager

Managed to find an utterly gorgeous branch... perfect contrast to the minimal orchids.

23 March 2016 Celebrate!

A closer look at my design at the 20th anniversary of Canada Blooms and The Toronto Flower Show

23 September 2015 Pretty Spicy!

Hang fruity wire garlands to display Gerbera daisies

4 November 2020 Because that is just how I roll

A tumbling fall leaf design making use of the autumn leaves that are already falling to the ground.

31 May 2017 Let's hang out

Skewer some Eucalyptus to suspend between the orchids

29 March 2017 A Twirl

Suspend a wire chandelier design to twirl

28 December 2011 Bubbly New Year’s Sparklers

Delicate glass bubbles filled with the midnight blue African violet flowers, purple ornamental capsicum and spilling down the design are a few stems of rosary vine

26 June 2012 Diamond Jubilee Waterfall

To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the 20th Anniversary of Friends of Government House Gardens Society a Horticultural event was hosted in the gardens and...

27 August 2012 Just Right! Floral Art demonstration: Too Hard!

My second design in my demonstration at the BC Floral Art Society meeting

23 May 2018 In Summer!

A contemporary cascade of rosary vine and dried petals.

8 August 2012 Stringing in the rain

A veil of green wool, Spanish moss and dried hydrangeas hang over white lilies