My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Create a tighter fit with pebbles so that you can wedge a twig securely into a vase

It all started with my twig being just too small to wedge into the glass vase tight enough to keep my orchid stem in place...

Give your pebbles just a bit of support

Give your pebbles just a bit of support by placing the tiniest drop of glue between each before stacking them into the vase.

I use a bamboo skewer as an applicator when I design with floral glue because I prefer to control not only the amount of glue but also the placement. I just find it's easier to control than straight out of the tube. For more information page to page 28 in my book.

Keep the vase on its side and push each pebble in with the next.

Keep the vase on its side and push each pebble in with the next...

Carefully stack the pebbles all the way to the top

Carefully stack the pebbles all the way to the top.

Choose a twig with a flexible fork in it

Choose a twig with a flexible fork in it (to go into the vase) and another twig to cross over the first for visual interest.

Attach the two twigs with a tiny drop of floral glue

Attach the two twigs with a tiny drop of floral glue

Oh yes... I did this for a reason- it is my bonus tip this week in my notification email. Make sure you are subscribed to my once-a-week-only-newsletter email. The sign up is below this post.

Slip the twig into the vase

Slip the twig into the vase. Make sure the fork in the twig wedges between the pebble stack and the glass vase to keep everything in place.

Carefully set the vase upright

Carefully set the vase upright...

Design note: in case you are wondering why my pebbles are wet... it's because my first try toppled over at this point. Hence the tiny bit of glue tip. It needs just that little bit of help to remain upright.

Fill the vase with water

Fill the vase with water...

Gently push the twig from the glass and slip the orchid stem between the twig and the glass

Gently push the twig from the glass and slip the orchid stem between the twig and the glass...

To keep the orchid exactly where you want it

To keep the orchid exactly where you want it.

Design tip: slip the twig between the petals so that the orchid unfurls around the twig.

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

Tutorials

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.

16 August 2011 Cut spiked flower stems and foliage into short sections

Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...

24 April 2019 Balance a cake stand lid on it’s side to create a leaning design

Suspend a flower for an unusual but minimalist design over a leaning container lid.

12 August 2020 Upside down and on it’s side glass display that plays with natural balance

Utilizing those not so obvious characteristics of your design details to make a minimal clear glass summer floral design.

30 August 2011 Removing Oasis Floral Adhesive glue spills

The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.

17 January 2018 Creating contrasts in shallow containers with pebbles and water

Such a peaceful design with just enough float and "stay put" elements

12 February 2014 Lightly sprinkled foliage frog

Light as air ripped foliage flower frog

Favourite Flowers

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid

Related Designs

26 August 2020 It starts with WHY

Add design elements that serves a purpose for a minimal summer inspired floral design.

21 April 2021 All A-flutter

Adding a few fluttering petals to a design.

17 November 2021 Ringing in A Very Merry Traditional Christmas… Tradition

A more than just a hint of Christmas tradition design... in a pre-Christmas design.

22 February 2023 Jump out at you

Early iris flowers in a bud vase.

5 June 2024 hang out with.. you know… floristically speaking

Making what makes your floral details unique the focal point of a design

26 June 2024 It’s leaps of faith, grasshoppers

A sunny rock to make your design... not rock

16 September 2015 Pointing In

wrap and glue a ring armature to create a decorative wreath

12 March 2014 Petrichor

A minimalist design in a shallow tray

23 April 2014 Bound to Keep

Weave and tie a decorative catcher to suspend flowers

13 January 2016 Once Upon A Time

Stack and glue a Grass Pyramid Armature

31 July 2013 Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

A tiny orchid stem ladder keeps the orchid suspended just above the water line

24 April 2019 Put aside

Urgh… my glass cake stand broke leaving me with a still beautiful, but now mismatched and extremely inspirational lid...

12 August 2020 A lesson in letting be

Deceptively simple. A design that relies on you working with not against what is already there.

26 September 2018 Cover Story

The design for the cover of my book, the effortless floral craftsman, crafted from Fiddlehead Fern and Red Lipstick Hanging Heliconia.

23 May 2018 In Summer!

A contemporary cascade of rosary vine and dried petals.

12 February 2014 Easy does it

Rip foliage to sprinkle as a light as air flower frog

17 January 2018 Flowering Between a Rock and a Hard place

Create a subtle contrast by floating or anchoring some of your design elements.

27 January 2016 Well, I'll be

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