My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Create a break in a willow twig to support a flower stem

Cut a fresh willow twig

Cut a fresh willow twig...

Bend the twig at a sharp angle

Bend the twig at a sharp angle.

See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to manipulate twigs.

Break the twig again

Break the twig again, about the width of your container away from the first break.

Measure the twig to fit down the sides of a small container

Measure the twig to fit down the sides of a small container. You can either let the twig kick against the side... or...

Cut into the twig

Cut into the twig at both ends...

Fit the twig so that it pinches the sides of the container

Fit the twig over the edges so that it pinches the sides of the container

Fill the container with water

Fill the container with water.

Slip the Lisianthus buds through the twig

Slip the Lisianthus buds through the twig...

To stand upright in the container

To stand upright in the container.

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

Tutorials

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

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...

27 January 2016 Sprouting willow armature

Carefully manipulate and bend green willow stems to place in water to sprout as an armature for tulips to mature and open

28 January 2015 Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave

Weave a sprouting armature

3 January 2018 Using a fork in a twig to “peg” a stem in place

A easy to use Hana Kubari technique

26 April 2017 Hana-Kubari twig

Slip a twig over the side of a container to keep an elegant flower stem upright

1 April 2015 Hana-kubari Bamboo

Hana-Kubari is an Ikebana flower mechanic. Only natural materials such as pebbles, sticks and branches can be seen to support the flowers. Traditionally no twine or wire, nails,...

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

Favourite Flowers

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Eustoma

Lisianthus, Texan Poppy, Texas Bluebell, Tulip Gentian, Prairie Gentian

Related Designs

14 November 2018 For just this moment… let’s take a break

Simplicity to showcase the perfection of the Lisianthus buds

16 January 2019 Every. Single. Week.

Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.

5 August 2020 Spare a Moment

A tranquil design that just takes a moment to do... when you need to take a moment to... breathe.

27 January 2016 Well, I'll be

Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems

28 January 2015 In a State of Flow

weave some willow to use as an armature

3 January 2018 Happy Coincidence!

Some designs really do just make themselves. I received this tiny vase for Christmas from Marius (thank you, Marius!) and while cleaning out my design room I found this little...

20 April 2016 That Will Be

Freestanding willow twig armature design

2 September 2015 Happy Dance

Split a few bamboo sections to create a happy water source for miniature orchids