My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Eucalyptus leaf and twig blossoms in a radiating puddle of stems

Fix a kenzan to a shallow container

Fix a Kenzan to a shallow container. There are sooooo many Kenzan tips for you in my book but to get you started I have linked a Tutorial on how to fix a Kenzan in the section below this post.

Book readers turn to page 165 for a time saving tip that will make cleaning your Kenzan after making this design super easy.

For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Cut a fresh eucalyptus stem into sections

Cut a fresh eucalyptus stem into sections.

Strip away the lower leaves and cut off the woody end of the eucalyptus stems

Strip away the lower leaves and cut off the thicker woody end of the eucalyptus stems that would be too bulky.

But set these aside... it's exactly what you need for the blossoms.

Secure the eucalyptus in the teeth of the Kenzan

Secure the eucalyptus in the teeth of the Kenzan.

Radiate the stems all the way around the shallow container

Radiate the stems all the way around the shallow container.

Press the stems low into the teeth with a drinking straw

Press the stems low into the teeth with a drinking straw. This not only makes space for the next layer of leaves but also lifts them up slightly so that the design is not so flat.

This can also be done with flower spikes, on a larger scale. I have linked a Tutorial for you on how to do that below this post.

Add in the next layer of stems and press them down

Add in the next layer of stems and press them down in the middle to lift them up slightly.

Add in more stems radiating all the way around

Add in more stems radiating all the way around...

Using the straw to make sure they are secure between the metal Kenzan teeth

... using the straw to make sure they are secure between the metal Kenzan teeth.

For the blossoms:

Gather the woody stems that you have set aside

Gather the woody stems that you have set aside...

Secure the stems into a bundle with florist tape

Secure the stems into a bundle with florist tape.

To make the blossom stamens

To make the blossom stamens.

Using the more mature leaves that you stripped away start to glue in the petals

Using the more mature leaves that you stripped away start to glue in the petals.

I use the more mature leaves for the blossoms because they will dry so well. Book readers have a look at page 309. The way the foliage dry is exactly why Eucalyptus is my favourite foliage to craft with.

Add the glue to the twig stamens

Add the glue to the twig stamens and then position the leaves so that they open up slightly. I have a few notes about the glue bits in our weekly email for you. Let me know what you think by replying to the email. If you are not yet signed up to recieve the once a week email with the bonus tip you can find the sign up below this post.

Add leaf petals all the way around the blossom

Add leaf petals all the way around the blossom.

Keep the stem side long so that you can cut it exactly at the right height when you place it in the design

Keep the stem side long so that you can cut it exactly at the right height when you place it in the design

Fill the container with water

Fill the container with water... add enough for the water to be visible between the stems and to create a puddle.

Place the blossom into the design

Place the blossom into the design.

To secure the blossom into position press down on the twig stamens inside the flower

Design note: to secure the blossom deeply into the Kenzan press down on the twig stamens inside the flower with your finger.

Add a few dew drop crystals to highlight the water drops

Add a few dew drop crystals to highlight the water drops... like I mentioned in the email.

And finish the design with a few eucalyptus stems

And finish the design with a few eucalyptus stems.

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

Tutorials

30 December 2015 Eucalyptus rose

Release the soothing effect of the aroma and vapors from the Eucalyptus leaves my slightly crushing it while making roses

7 January 2015 Securing a kenzan

Temporarily adhere a traditional Ikebana Kenzan or pincushion to a shallow container.

7 August 2019 A Three level Kenzan skewer stack to Radiate Gladiolus spikes flat in a shallow container

Build up a design in a shallow container by stacking it by threading the plant material into the teeth of a pin cushion in three levels.

7 August 2019 Use a drinking straw to push foliage horizontally deep into a Kenzan to leave space for stems to rest on top of them

The teeth of a Kenzan (or pin cushion) is rather sharp. Here is a pain free way of pushing down the plant material into the teeth to keep it securely in place.

7 August 2019 Where to cut Gladiolus spikes shorter

Gladiolus stems can be cut into sections so that it appears natural and well groomed.

28 February 2011 Paper flowers

You can use any type of paper to make flowers. I use tissue paper, Crêpe paper, cardboard, newsprint and coffee filters (new and used) to make sweet peas, carnations, paper...

26 August 2015 Skeleton Hydrangea Petal Blossoms

Use the skeleton petals of hydrangeas to create blossoms

6 September 2011 Autumn leaf Roses

I used to make baskets full of these when I was a little girl. We had a big Acasia thorn tree and I used to spear my “roses” onto the tree pretending I was the fairy responsible...

4 September 2019 Stack banana leaf rice pockets to float as rosettes

Fold and peg banana leaves into pockets so that they float freely on water. This is inspired by a traditional banana leaf craft used to cook rice in.

15 November 2017 Kenzan leaf rack

Line and position pretty autumn leaves.

12 June 2019 Loop-over grass veil for a cool summer design

A cool and minimal floral design for summer.

12 May 2021 A radiating, gradient carnation design in a shallow container

A bit of Kenzan support for a floating shallow container design

25 May 2022 Give a single upright bleeding heart flower a view through a leafy hole

Flair open a leathery leaf to craft a frame a single bleeding heart flower on its long stem.

Related Designs

8 June 2022 Make Believe

Ever seen an eucalyptus flower? This is... and is not one.

20 July 2022 The tiniest drop

A radiating summer design that waves in the slightest of breezes.

10 May 2023 By the cone full

A small design to display those last Spring snippets from your garden...

30 August 2023 Courage, now

A bit of a rethink as the season is getting ready to change. How can I give my design idea a fresh twist?

26 August 2015 Bent

Weave a wreath from sweetpea stems and tendrils

30 December 2015 Achoo! Season

Fold and roll a rose from Eucalyptus leaves

4 September 2019 Gently down the stream

A mindful summer craft using banana leaves to create a floating arrangement.

15 November 2017 Alchemy

Gently stand leaves upright in a Kenzan

12 June 2019 Almost... all over!

Loop a grass veil over a lily stem to create a minimalist summer design.

18 February 2015 Snail Away

Spiral roll a snail to add to this sunny design

7 August 2019 Point Out: this is a single bunch of gladiolus!

Cut stems of Gladiolus to place in a radiating summer design.

12 May 2021 It’s up there

Whether it’s a solid foot for floating flowers, the tips of new growth or the curve of a dried twig your design needs help to stay upright.

25 May 2022 Grateful Heart

Frame a single perfect Bleeding heart flower in a leaf dot.