My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Hover winter twig armature with an acetate platform

Place a long container on your design surface

Place a long-ish container on your design surface.

Drape a sheet of firm acetate over the container

Drape a sheet of firm acetate over the container.

Smooth the acetate against the container to create a crisp fold line

Smooth the acetate against the container to create a crisp fold line.

That hangs flat against the side of the container

That hangs flat against the side of the container.

Fold the other side of the acetate

Fold the other side of the acetate in the same way.

And smooth it down both sides of the container

And smooth it down both sides of the container.

Secure the acetate to the container with clear tape

Secure the acetate to the container with clear tape.

Test the fit to make sure it can carry some weight

Test the fit to make sure it can carry some weight.

Secure a thin strip of tape around the exposed side to protect the container

Secure a thin strip of clear tape around the exposed side to protect the container.

Add the lightest dusting of snow to some delicate winter twigs

Add the lightest dusting of snow to some delicate winter twigs.

Set the twigs aside for the glue to dry.

Secure the snowy twigs with hot glue to the exposed sides of the container

Secure the snowy twigs with hot glue to the exposed sides of the container...

Build up the armature to resemble a winter forest

Build up the armature to resemble a winter forest.

Crafting two u shaped winter twig armatures on  either side of the acetate platform

To make up two u-shaped winter twig armatures on either side of the acetate platform.

Add a few dew drop crystals to the twigs

Add a few dew drop crystals to the twigs.

See the Tutorial below for the reason why (and detailed instructions on how) I place these crystals with a corsage pin.

Pour water into the container at the twig armature ends

Pour water into the container at the twig armature ends.

Add in the delicate jasmine vine

Add in the delicate jasmine vine... such a short sentence but this is actually the hardest part of the design to get right!

And not even for the reason you might think. I have added a bit more of an explanation in this weeks email so that you can comment... or ask a question (or even say hi) by replying to the email. The sign up is below the post.

Also if you are wondering about the new growth and how I manage to keep it from wilting or drooping have a look at page 75 where I show you my tip for conditioning new growth.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Allowing the vine to settle effortlessly in the design

Allowing the vine to settle effortlessly in the design.

Place the crystals on the acetate platform

Place the crystals on the acetate platform...

Slightly away from the edge so that it is securely balanced

Slightly away from the edge so that it is securely balanced.

And adjust the vines to frame the crystals.

And adjust the vines to frame the crystals.

Slip the snow drop flowers into the twig armature

Slip the snow drop flowers into the twig armature.

So that the flower heads keep the flower stem upright

So that flower stems stand upright.

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

Tutorials

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

6 February 2019 Winter White Twig Screen

Glue twigs to screen delicate flowers for a wintry design.

9 December 2015 Scalable twig and Phalaenopsis orchid winterscape panel

This design can easily scale up or down by using larger or smaller pieces of wood to create a larger wall panel or make a few of these panels to stack as tiles to create a more...

28 February 2018 Marching winter frosted twig and freesia stack

Frost a few twigs to craft a delicate armature for fragrant freesias

23 February 2022 Place delicate stems at an angle in a shallow fiber lined container

Line a shallow container with fiber to create a mat for the flowers to hydrate and stand in the exact way you want to place them.

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.

18 January 2023 Snowy twig band armature for a ever changing winter display

A well made snow covered twig band armature will last all winter so that you can display even the most delicate winter treasures.

9 February 2022 Tilt container with a spilling twigs armature

Perfect design for a warmer than usual winter design that hints at thawing.

6 March 2019 Snow puddle armature

Connect twigs with puddles of artificial snow to craft a winter armature for your flowers.

19 February 2020 Twig snippet pillar armature

A great do-in-advance and reusable design solution for a winter, early spring floral display.

Related Designs

8 February 2023 Snow… drops

A late winter design for minimal floral styling.

8 March 2023 And now we wait

A bit of flower magic to get a few early blossoms to enjoy inside.

12 April 2023 The word we are looking for is… fun

A leaning twig armature with both the first signs of Spring and the last signs of winter.

2 August 2023 here… from … my little corner… of the world wide web

Weave a web of jasmine vine to support orchid stems

22 November 2023 Gentle transition

There's no need to rush the seasons. Take it slow and enjoy the plant material that are still available even if you are excited about what is to come...

9 December 2015 On a Grand Scale

My article and a floral panel design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

28 February 2018 March Days

Line up a few frosted twigs to march across a shallow container

16 March 2022 Poised to Spring

An "it's only 10 days to Spring" design to display some blossom buds.

23 February 2022 Plan Together

Leaning Muscari flowers in a snow covered twig armature.

12 February 2020 Parallel Hang Ups

While waiting for the blossoms to open... why not weave in a touch of Valentine's Day love?

29 September 2011 Pick-Up Sticks

A twig and stick design with sweet dumpling pumpkins and rosary vine (Ceropegia woodii). I also made a cherry twig and skeleton leaf Stick Insect

16 January 2019 Every. Single. Week.

Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.

6 February 2019 Tread softly on winter

A delicate winter twig armature to show off the delicate beauty of these early spring coloured tulips.

8 February 2017 It could hold

A fragile looking heart made from twigs that can hold a lot of orchids

18 January 2023 Getting the Band Back Together Again

Glue a band of snow dusted twigs to create a delicate armature for winter treasures.

9 February 2022 Pouring

Place a small fishbowl vase at an angle to look like it is pouring out flowers and twigs.

6 March 2019 It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright

15 April 2020 Helping Spring Stick Around

Blossom petals drop so quickly! Here's a way to make them last just that little bit longer.

19 February 2020 The Upside of being Inside

A creative design that has some height to it without blocking the view. This can easily be scaled up or down to match the environment you want to display it in.