Designing with refraction

11 April 2018
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Place a container on a display surface.

Place a smaller container inside the first.

Place an even smaller container inside the second container.

Fill the containers with water. To create visual interest vary the water level in the containers.

The water level can be adjusted with a syringe. See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to make your own syringe with tube.

Add the flowering stems. To keep the design minimal I wedged the willow stems to settle inside each container and then slipped the wax flowers between the willow and the glass to keep each stem in place. I used tweezers to place the willow in the narrow containers.

Keep the water clear. For more detailed instructions on how to pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water, see the Tutorial below.

Set the flowers to rest between the willow and the glass around the edge of the container.

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Tutorials

11 April 2018

Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.

3 January 2011

Syringe with tube

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

24 January 2018

Stack two glass vases to keep a leaf upright in water

Slip a leaf into the gap between two glass containers to keep it upright... and add a plastic lining to support the flowers nestled into it.

17 July 2012

Prevent scratches, rust and water stains on display surfaces

This is a great, non permanent way to protect surfaces from damage

22 January 2014

That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase

13 April 2012

A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.

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 breaking it.