My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Create a design gap with two leaves to create shivering whiskers for your Spring design

Place two leaves in a tiny bud vase

Place two leaves in a tiny bud vase. The trick here is to design in a vase with the tiniest possible opening, even a water tube will do.

Add the orchid into the opening between the two leaves

Add the orchid into the opening between the two leaves.

Make sure the stem end is hydrated below the waterline

Because the opening is so small the stems on the foliage will lift the flower slightly above the vase neck. This is exactly what you want but make sure the stem end is hydrated below the waterline.

Slip the grass whiskers through the gaps between the stems so that they gently rest in place

Slip the grass whiskers through the gaps between the stems so that they still have some movement but also firmly rest in place.

This is a great way to keep the design from looking flat. I explain more in this week's email. Make sure you are signed up. The button is below this post.

Add in a few more grass whiskers

Add in a few more grass whiskers.

And finish the design with a few dew drop crystals

And finish the design with a few dew drop crystals.

See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to add the crystals without damaging the delicate plant material.

Give the design the slightest of wiggles

Give the design the slightest of wiggles. The grass whiskers should shiver so that they move in the Spring breeze but not fall out of the design. Adjust the stems so that they grass is firmly in place if need be.

If you do not have a container with a small opening like this turn to page 196 of my book. You will find loads of "make it yourself" small water container ideas.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

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

Tutorials

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.

2 June 2021 Two leaf lining your container to shelter your orchids

Create a shallow puddle in a larger container to keep your flowers in place.

8 January 2020 Leaf-puddle for a short stem in a big vase

Add a leaf to a large-ish vase to create a small puddle of water for your short flower stem to rest in.

31 March 2021 Interweave a criss-crossed nest for an Easter Egg

Zero waste, all natural Easter craft design.

17 March 2021 Cone shaped leafy puddle for a short stemmed flower

Take all the usual ingredients for a budvase design- a flower, a leafy green something and roll it into something unusual to display.

10 March 2021 A tiny pebble to keep it all in place

Keep an orchid and a blade of grass on an upturned bowl... with the weight of a tiny pebble.

27 January 2021 Loop a Monstera leaf stem to craft an underwater hold for a knotted orchid stem

Use the unique qualities of each stem to create a submerged design in a water filled glass vase.

6 January 2021 Rolled leaf shelter for a lean-in-closer tiny bud vase design

Create a tiny visual tunnel to focus attention.

8 April 2020 Basket weave in an eggshell

A tiny little basket weave to add to an Easter Design

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.

4 July 2018 Bundle Support

Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.

16 August 2017 Criss-cross Monstera lace-up

Glue short sections of rosary vine into the natural gaps in the Monstera deliciosa leaf

Favourite Flowers

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid

Related Designs

6 April 2022 Gaps between those in-between Spring days

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

20 April 2022 Oh this? Yes! it is new

New growth... too cute to resist!

11 January 2023 Maybe Still Maybe

... a something to look forward to design that makes you lean in closer to see what might still be.

5 July 2023 The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan

A easy going summer design that makes full use of the imperfections you harvest from your cut garden.

24 April 2024 You Just Like You

Support a small bundle of spring florals to stand upright in water with two Monstera leaves.

17 July 2024 Refresh-ing

A tall vase for a short orchid stem summer design

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.

2 June 2021 Like an open book

Position foliage to create a smaller, shallow pond for your floral details to shelter in.

8 January 2020 Rest a bit here

Gently curve a shallow area with a leaf to showcase a gorgeous flower with a short stem in a water filled vase

31 March 2021 Criss-crossed

Hide an egg inside a interwoven nest for a dainty Easter decoration design.

17 March 2021 A scoop of pretty

A tiny budvase design that rearranges basic ingredients, such as a single leaf and an orchid to create a new design concept.

10 March 2021 The way we curve

Tiny minimal design that explores curves.

27 January 2021 Knot how it was supposed to go

When you figure out the "how to" tricks of manipulating plant material it is possible to respectfully set them into seemingly impossible new directions.

6 January 2021 I tip my (flower) cap!

An enclosed design that invites the onlooker to lean in closer to explore the pretty orchid.

8 April 2020 Don’t put all your Baskets in one Egg

A bit of a wrong way round pretty Easter design. Put the basket weave inside the egg instead of putting the eggs in a basket.

15 January 2020 This way we connect

Weave a connected panel to frame a single orchid.

4 July 2018 Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details

16 August 2017 Making Ends Meet

Criss-cross corset style connect the gaps in a Monstera deliciosa leaf