Figure eight willow spacer for a water tube in a double vase display

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.

And curve the other end and thread it back into the tube to complete the figure eight.

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.

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.