My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Hana-Kubari twig

Cut a twig to the length you require. Cut away any side branches. This twig has an interesting double side branch, I left that so that the flower stem can rest between the twigs

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to easily cut a thicker twig

Split the twig at the thicker bottom end with a sharp knife right through the middle of the stem.

Slip the twig over the edge of your container so that it stands upright

Fill the container with water

Let the stem rest against the twig or nestle in a fork in a side branch

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Tutorials
Bite and snap a sturdy twig
22 May 2012
Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.
Free standing Willow twig armature with a hidden water source
20 April 2016
Free standing Willow twig armature with a hidden water source

Cut a few willow twigs to split to create legs for the armature
Hana-kubari Bamboo
1 April 2015
Hana-kubari Bamboo

Hana-Kubari is an Ikebana flower mechanic. Only natural materials such as pebbles, sticks and branches can be seen to support the flowers. Traditionally no twine or wire, nails, or screws or any other man made materials are used
Hana-Kubari Bamboo Stilts with a Hidden Water Source
2 September 2015
Hana-Kubari Bamboo Stilts with a Hidden Water Source

Split bamboo stems to create a water source for dancing orchids
Hana-Kubari chopsticks
19 October 2011
Hana-Kubari chopsticks

Splitting the chopsticks or a wooden branch, such as a willow twig creates a natural (and glue-less!) clamp.
T-connect twigs to shadow a design
18 January 2017
T-connect twigs to shadow a design

Split a twig to create a t connection to hover a twig over the design
Using the new growth on blossom branches as a base for a woodland design
21 April 2021
Using the new growth on blossom branches as a base for a woodland design

A fun way to use your blossom branches in a design once all the petals fall.
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container
16 January 2019
Delicate Twig Hammock Armature to keep tulips upright in a shallow container

Craft a suspended armature to create a clear winter design.
Create a break in a willow twig to support a flower stem
14 November 2018
Create a break in a willow twig to support a flower stem

Break a willow twig at and angle to support your flowers
Incise waxy Gardenia foliage to decorate the edge of a container
9 May 2018
Incise waxy Gardenia foliage to decorate the edge of a container

Cut a small wedge out of a stack of waxy leaves to keep the flower and twig in place.
Using a fork in a twig to “peg” a stem in place
3 January 2018
Using a fork in a twig to “peg” a stem in place

A easy to use Hana Kubari technique
Bits of snipped grass glued to create a net
5 July 2017
Bits of snipped grass glued to create a net

Glue a fragile sheltering net to soften the look of a summer design
Related Designs
That Will Be
20 April 2016
That Will Be

Freestanding willow twig armature design
On The Street Where You Live
1 November 2011
On The Street Where You Live

A floral design snapshot of what it looks like when walking down the streets of Vancouver this week.
Just Right! Floral Art demonstration: Just Right!
5 September 2012
Just Right! Floral Art demonstration: Just Right!

My third design in my demonstration at the BC Floral Art Society meeting
Fine Tune
25 June 2014
Fine Tune

Thread cane through sticks to make a music inspired armature
The Space Between
1 April 2015
The Space Between

Traditional Hana-Kubari flower mechanic
Well, I'll be
27 January 2016
Well, I'll be

Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems
All A-flutter
21 April 2021
All A-flutter

Adding a few fluttering petals to a design.
Every. Single. Week.
16 January 2019
Every. Single. Week.

Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.
For just this moment… let’s take a break
14 November 2018
For just this moment… let’s take a break

Simplicity to showcase the perfection of the Lisianthus buds
What is the meaning of this?
9 May 2018
What is the meaning of this?

Create a minimal design with a few leaves to keep is all upright.
Happy Coincidence!
3 January 2018
Happy Coincidence!

Some designs really do just make themselves. I received this tiny vase for Christmas from Marius (thank you, Marius!) and while cleaning out my design room I found this little twig with a fork in it. Add a ranunculus with a ridiculously gorgeous curve in it's stem... done.
Just A Bit
5 July 2017
Just A Bit

Glue a bit of grass snippets to suspend over the design
In no time at all
26 April 2017
In no time at all

Hana-Kubari twig armature
Favourite Flowers
Lathyrus
Lathyrus

This design was entered in the craft section of a show. I grew my bag over 12 weeks. Each day I would guide the tiny fresh growth of the Sweet Pea plants to completely cover the...