Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Figure eight willow spacer for a water tube in a double vase display
- 20 August 2024
- click to send Christine a smile
Thread a flexible willow stem through a glass water tube.
Tip: if you do not have a water tube with holes in simply wrap the stem around the tube or craft a willow sphere. It serves as a spacer... If you want more information about manipulating willow stems into flower frogs turn to page 284 of my book. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman or to geth you started see the Tutorial for the willow sphere below.
Curve the stem around and thread it through the glass again.
And curve the other end and thread it back into the tube to complete the figure eight.
Slip the water tube into a display container...
And adjust the figure eight so that it kicks against the second vase to suspend the water tube exactly where you want it. I adjusted mine so that it is slightly off centre.
Pour water into both the tube and the display container.
Place the gladiolus stem into the water tube.
Design note: I wanted the design to be ethereal and as light as possible to still be a cooling summer display. I do this by keeping the water filled display vase clear and clutter free. Cut the gladiolus stem shorter so that it will not be seen when you look at the design through the side of the glass. But I also wanted to emphasize the elegant curve in the stem so needed it to be lifted up to hover above and not crush or be hidden by the puffy grass that I am adding next. The figure eight not only keeps the water tube exactly where I want it but also created a stem rest inside the tube so that I can angle the thick stem exactly how I want it... and it is firmly supported. So convenient, right?
For detailed instructions on how to design the puffy "grass pumpkin" see the Tutorial below.
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
Curving long and elegantly sweeping purple fountain grass
Create two separate containers to minimize clutter in a light and airy floral display.
Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
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...
I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
A collar for a vase that you can use throughout the season... simply replace the water and the flowers inside the vase.
Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.
Reshape a vine wreath into smaller wreaths to combine as a pumpkin
Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature
Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass
This is both a decorative and functional design solution. But most importantly, I think, there is absolutely zero waste.
A cool and minimal floral design for summer.
A radiating design that has the freedom of movement to add a bit of a cooling effect on the warmer days of summer.
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.
Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...
Favourite Flowers
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
Related Designs
... a hint of a pumpkin late summer floral display to show off the elegant curve of a gladiolus flower stem.
Autumn bud vase collar made from gladiolus foliage.
An easy and naturally fragrant winter white candle decoration to bring nature into your house this Christmas.
Designing adventurous Contemporary Floral centerpieces Article in the Canadian Florist Magazine.
An easy going design of ripped grass and calla lilies. But look a bit closer. See if you can find Mr. Stalk relaxing somewhere between the blades of grass.
A sustainable, absolutely no waste floral design using willow to suspend your flower head in your arrangement.
Loop a grass veil over a lily stem to create a minimalist summer design.
