Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Edge of a platter Christmas quarter wreath garland
- 27 November 2024
- click to send Christine a smile
Cut a woven wreath...
If you are unsure of how to weave a wreath see the Tutorial below.
... into whatever size you need. I made mine a just about a quarter wreath curve.
Use floral glue to secure a branch of evergreen to the twig wreath...
Glue another branch of lemon cypress into the other side also pointing outwards
Trim a small huckleberry tip branch...
And glue in a stem to follow the curve of the cypress...
On both sides of the garland.
Weave the stems through the cypress so that it makes a natural looking unit...
Combining the bright green cypress and the red tips on the huckleberry twigs...
While leaving the back to look natural and finished.
Design note: this is why I chose to glue the design elements. I do not want any wires to show nor to have to go back to conceal anything. Using a wreath base creates a rustic and all natural back that requires no extra effort.
Snip a few kalanchoe flowers from a plant...
I am using both a florist kalanchoe and a Christmas kalanchoe for my design.
Kalanchoe flowers are great to use in designs where you are not adding a water source. Cut the succulent flowers directly from the plant to design with. They might look delicate but will last for so long you will start to think it is Christmas magic!
Glue the flowers directly into the design using floral glue.
Think of the design as a boutonniere and build it up slowly...
Adding flowers all the way around the garland.
Look at the design from all angles and add flowers low on the wreath and even between the cypress so that the design looks full and blossoming.
It can get a bit sticky to get the tiny, tiny flowers into position so deep between the cypress branches. I show you how I place mine without getting any glue onto the branches in our email of this week. I send out an email each Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) the moment the design is ready for you to view, with a "good to know" tip for you to take notice of something unique about each design... in greater detail so that you can get more out of each weeks inspiration design. The sign up is below this post.
Keep the wreath underside clear so that the design can easily be repositioned and styled around the edge of the platter.
Come to think of it this design will also be great at a place setting to curve around a plate. Or as a chair decoration, even a clear (Perspex) chair where you can see the wreath at the back. Just goes to show you... it is definitely worth it to pay special attention and invest the energy into perfecting the craftsmanship of a design.
For my design though, I am placing the flowers around the edge of a cake stand. The curve of the cut wreath allows you to design a small garland filled with flowers that takes up almost no space on the platter or cake stand leaving space around it without it touching any food you might want to display.
But make sure the flowers are clearly for display only. They are not edible. Or simply use the rest of the design space for a sparkling winter display.
Book readers, if you want to rather use edible flowers you will need a secret water source to keep them hydrated. Turn to page 303 for a Tutorial for the tiniest possible water source that will not spill even when you move the design. I usually add this to body flowers and it works wonderfully. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
For my display, I filled a glass Christmas tree with some fairy lights
Taped the rest of the lights down so that it is level on my cake stand with clear tape...
Taped the on/off switch to the underside of the cake stand...
And concealed the lights with some artificial snow.
I also added a few strands of tinsel to the design to tie in the silver wire of the Christmas lights...
But I curl my tinsel for a Festive touch.
See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to curl tinsel.
Draping the tinsel over the design...
And I use tiny dew drop crystals for the lightbulbs every here and there... but mostly to keep the tinsel exactly where I want it draped over the design.
Simply stick the tinsel in place with the sticky back of the crystal.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to place the dew drop crystals on delicate plant material.
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Tutorials
For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Make ahead (oversized) bark and kalanchoe Christmas decoration... and best of all it last for weeks!
An impossibly delicate wreath shape that will last... and last... all Festive Season long.
Use a cardboard shape to craft a simple wire Christmas star
Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree
I call this “lace” because I use pins to guide the wire sections together- almost like you do when making lace.
Use wood glue to make a light as air table top wreath from pine needles
A snowflake covered design that will hang on to well past Christmas.
Use delicate sprigs of cypress or juniper, fir, pine, eucalyptus, ivy or a combination of them all to create a winter themed kissing bough
Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.
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