My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

How to fake a blizzard in floral designs

When you add a permanent design element to your design like this branch it often comes with ready to use details

When you add a permanent design element to your design like this branch it often comes with ready to use details...

Like the artificial snow on this branch for example

Like the artificial snow on this branch for example...

It is always easier to work with what is already there so Carefully inspect where the snow is placed on the branch...

And make sure you add the bulk of the snow fall in the wreath at the same angle

And make sure you add the bulk of the snow fall in the wreath at the same angle...

Adding a bit of snow to the design details

Adding a bit of snow to the design details...

And the bulk of the snow where it would have been if the twig was out in a blizzard

And the bulk of the snow where it would have been if the twig was out in a blizzard. It's a tiny detail but your eyes pick up things like this. Going through the extra effort to make it realistic helps the design form a unit and your flower illusion look realistic.

Book readers turn to page 273 for more design inspiration on how to create an illusion in your designs.

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

Tutorials

28 February 2011 Paper flowers

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...

13 November 2019 How to dress a shop bought artificial wreath to go from meh to: it looks so real!

Just a few adjustments can transform a boring artificial wreath into a high end looking designer decoration.

13 November 2019 Turn shop bought baubles into designer frosted snowballs

Brushing a shiny bauble with an almost dry brush with just a bit of paint on turns it into a beautiful almost antique snowball.

13 November 2019 A tangle of ribbon instead of a bow for an unusual winter design

I wanted my design to look more "found this way" than "designed this way" so I strategically tangled the ribbon to dangle down the design rather than tie it in a neat bow.

13 November 2019 How to use artificial plants or faux plants to create beautiful and long lasting decorations without it looking tacky or... sad.

What if you absolutely HAVE to decorate with faux plants? Here are my guiding rules when it comes to styling with permanent botanicals

25 November 2015 Winter White Gyp Wreath

A dried wreath in winter white

2 December 2015 Silver bell Christmas Greenery kissing ball

Use delicate sprigs of cypress or juniper, fir, pine, eucalyptus, ivy or a combination of them all to create a winter themed kissing bough

14 December 2016 Bark and Cotton Candy Cane

Cover a cardboard shape in cotton and bark to create a floral armature

24 July 2012 Blow away hot glue strands

When you glue a structure with hot glue there are always a few stray strands of glue stuck all over the design. Blow it away with a hairdryer.

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

4 December 2013 Large wax snowflakes

Artificial snow can be very "chemical" and flowers deteriorate quickly when exposed to it. It also dissolves in water. I use candle wax as "snow"

Related Designs

13 November 2019 It’s unreal!

Design 1 of my three week pre-Christmas designing series looking at How to style with artificial plants and branches using quality faux plants and stems. This week: a wreath

2 December 2015 Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.

14 December 2016 A Candy(cane) Cotton Christmas

A floral cotton candy cane