Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Eucalyptus leaf and twig blossoms in a radiating puddle of stems
- 8 June 2022
- click to send Christine a smile
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.
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.
Radiate the stems all the way around the shallow container.
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 in the middle to lift them up slightly.
Add in more stems radiating all the way around...
... 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...
Secure the stems into a bundle with florist tape.
To make the blossom stamens.
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 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.
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... add enough for the water to be visible between the stems and to create a puddle.
Place the blossom into the design.
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... like I mentioned in the email.
And finish the design with a few eucalyptus stems.
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Tutorials
Release the soothing effect of the aroma and vapors from the Eucalyptus leaves my slightly crushing it while making roses
Temporarily adhere a traditional Ikebana Kenzan or pincushion to 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.
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.
Gladiolus stems can be cut into sections so that it appears natural and well groomed.
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...
Use the skeleton petals of hydrangeas to create blossoms
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...
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.
A cool and minimal floral design for summer.
A bit of Kenzan support for a floating shallow container design
Flair open a leathery leaf to craft a frame a single bleeding heart flower on its long stem.
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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.
