Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Double down on the Fall magic with the earliest hint of bare (but sparkly) Twig Season
- 13 November 2024
- click to send Christine a smile
- and more
Look through your design pantry and find two containers, one just slightly bigger than the other.
In our email today I have a tip for you about choosing the inside container. It is a simple tweak... but it make such a difference! I send out an email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) with a bit more detail about the design... something that is worth learning before you try the Tutorial so that you can get even more out of each week's inspiration. The sign up is below this post.
Scrunch up a battery powered fairy light string...
To fit into a glass pumpkin.
Design note: if you do not have a glass pumpkin use an upturned fish bowl vase or a round vase.
Loosely conceal the battery pack. My display table is white so I simply wrapped it in white to conceal.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions for more ways to conceal the battery in ways that still allows access to it so that you can switch it on and off.
Place the battery pack in the smallest container with the pumpkin on top of that.
If you want the pumpkin to rise above the design details see the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions.
Slip a few twigs into the container around the pumpkin.
Arrange the twigs to surround the pumpkin like a barely there wreath.
Design note: I wanted my design to be as clutter free as possible and this means every single design detail will be seen because there is no where to hide... remember to carefully arrange the twigs. Each twig will be seen through the glass.
Slip the smaller container into the larger one.
Note: there is not any water in the container at this point. You never know how much water should be added before you combine the two containers causing water to slosh over the sides and possibly spilling into the dry inside container... not good!
Pull the glass as much as possible to one side to make a big gap in the opposite side to pour in water.
Instead I add the water when the containers are ready to design with. Of course this leaves a tiny gap for the water to be poured in... so... when adding water into a small small gap of anything that you use as a water source (double vases, like I do this week or a water tube or narrow container) you can guide the water stream by pouring the water over the back of the bowl of a spoon.
Slip the head of a spoon into the gap...
Tilt the spoon away from the edge and pour water over the spoon into the small gap.
Simply place the head of a spoon in the gap and pour the water so that it runs over the back of the spoon and neatly into your container. A spoon is a great way for altering the water stream. I also use this technique when I need to top up water and want to make sure I do not disturb the design details in the water. See the detailed Tutorial below.
Slip twigs around the small gap around the edge between the containers, this time with the cut ends in the water so that it remains hydrated.
And neatly arrange the twigs around the containers.
I loved it just like this... but if we want to add a few flowers...
Harvest a few cyclamen flowers from a plant...
Book readers turn to page 95 where I show you more about cutting and harvesting plants... especially those that need a bit of extra care.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
To get you started you can also see the Cyclamen Tutorial below for more detailed instructions.
Slip the flowers into the gap between the twigs...
So that the stems are in water and can continue to hydrate.
Add in a few cyclamen leaves in between the twigs.
Glue in a few twigs over the pumpkin to look like it simply fell that way... to pull all the design elements together.
And finish the design with a few dew drop crystals for sparkle.
See the Tutorial below for how... and why I add the crystals with a pin.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter
Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.
Tutorials
Break the water flow when you fill a vase with details in that can move with the stream of water
Cyclamen stems are so close together that it is easy to damage the plant when cutting stems.
Sometimes the best way to hide something in your design is right in the open
Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Wrap and tie a fishbowl vase with corn foliage to craft a lantern for autumn... almost... Halloween.
It’s amazing how we sometimes try to complicate a design. I tried adding calla lilies… took them out and loved the willow. Added gerberas. Took them out and loved the willow....
The wire spirals are supported on wire sections pressed into the wax
Connect twigs with puddles of artificial snow to craft a winter armature for your flowers.
Artificial snow covered cardboard mittens to add to a winter themed design.
A design that is aged to ring in the new. Perfect for the a New Year's celebration.
Crystal clear floral design for winter styling
Perfect design for a warmer than usual winter design that hints at thawing.
Take your time to weave a pointy hat from what you find in nature.
Favourite Flowers
Cyclamen, English sowbread
Related Designs
Create a almost wreath floral display that is light and airy... looking like it was just harvested.
Oh my... a corn leaf mummy head for autumn... looking ahead to Halloween styling.
A wire Christmas star with a secret plan to hide the twinkle
Wire spirals twisted around candles to make small Christmas trees for the Christmas Eve dinner table
...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box snow mittens… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...
This is the sixth of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. This week I will show you how to go overboard on...
Fragile ice baubles, cyclamen and moss design
Place a small fishbowl vase at an angle to look like it is pouring out flowers and twigs.
