Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Building up a wreath panel
- 24 June 2020
- click to send Christine a smile
Strip the foliage from a few weaving stems.
Weave the stems into a wreath.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to weave a wreath.
Weave another wreath and place it next to the first one...
Weave a third wreath exactly the same size as the two before and place it in a second row...
Weave and place wreath four...
Weave and place wreath five and six below that...
Design note: Once the wreath is securely woven go back and very loosely weave in one more stem. Keep it a bit more messy so that it breaks up the neat and tidy pattern to look more wild and natural.
I have another tip for you (this time for when you place the orchids) so that it looks more natural in my newsletter. Make sure you are signed up so that you not only receive the weekly tips but can also join in the conversation about the design or tell me what is happening in your flower world. The sign up is below the post.
Work on a flat surface so that it's easier to keep the panel flat when you connect the wreaths. Twist a wire around the first wreath....
Extend the wire twist to the second wreath and twist the wire around the wreath to secure.
Fold the wire ends in and around the wreath so that it can't catch on anything.
Connect the next set of wreaths...
Connect the last pair of wreaths.
Of course you don't have to stop at six wreaths! You can craft an entire floral wall or window panel with these little wreaths.
The next step is to connect the pairs of wreaths. Again twist the wire around the wreath this time extending up to the next wreath.
Twist the wire around the partner wreath and fold in the ends.
Once all the wreaths are connected gently manipulate the wire so that the panel is flat on the surface before picking it up.
Place a pretty twig in a heavy container.
Design note: the twig needs a fork or side branch for you to hang the panel. It can be almost not even there... like in my design or you can go for something more dramatic and thread the branch through the design for a "look how this grew" kind of look. For more information on designing like this making your work look magically natural you can page through my book.
Hang the panel from the side twig or fork and weave in a few more weaving stems to look like they grew up and around the wires.
Glue in the water tubes to keep your flowers hydrated... see my tip this week in the newsletter for a fun way to add a bit of an interesting angle to the orchids when you position them. The signup is below this post.
See the Tutorial below for how I make my own tiny water tubes from drinking straws.
Fill the water tubes (see the Tutorial below) and add the orchids...
Weave and drape a few rosary vines around the wreaths.
Rosary vines are succulents so strictly speaking they do not need to be in water... but... I always place my stems in water because I remove them from the design afterwards to root the amazing little vines. They make such great gifts! I love having a few rooted stems to hand out. They last forever in water and can happily grow hydroponically.
Book readers turn to page: 286 for a flower wand if you are looking for more ways to use this design technique. Exactly the same... weaving, twisting the vine... adding flowers in tubes... but completely different results. It's a fun design and I think a flower girl would be absolutely enchanted to receive something like that!
Finish off the design with more tendrils and a few crystals.
Again... I have a Tutorial for you on an easy way to place the crystals... it is so delicate that it can so easily damage the design so you need a bit of help.
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Tutorials
For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...
When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need. If you can't find a suitable drinking straw... I also have an upgrade: tiny food grade pipe water tubes.
Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
A perfect way to use a Lathyrus vine after all it flowered
I use two methods (or a combination of both) to attach a wreath to a door.
Reshape a vine wreath into smaller wreaths to combine as a pumpkin
Craft a wreath with a hollow cavity inside to use as an armature for your flowers
Craft a delicate bridal basket from twigs and tulle.
Weave tiny vine wreaths on the leave stems of a stripped Wisteria vine
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts
Related Designs
Connect small wreaths to create a pretty summer armature to arrange your flowers on.
A wreath armature design for early Autumn... this takes the split armature Tutorial I showed you last month a little bit further.
Whether it’s a solid foot for floating flowers, the tips of new growth or the curve of a dried twig your design needs help to stay upright.
My article and Willow Crown design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
My article and winter white Tulle bridal basket design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.
