Knot willow twigs around a shallow container to keep tiny orchid stems upright

Choose three willow stems that can be wrapped around your shallow container

Freshly cut stems needs very little preparation to get them ready to work with. If the stems are slightly less pliable you will need to work them a bit so that they can be wrapped. If you want to brush up on how to prepare twigs to be used in design work see the Tutorial below... and of course my book.

Start at one end and fold the twig over to the back and simply knot the thinnest part around the more sturdier end.

Allow the willow stem to curve and buckle naturally. This is all part of the charm.

In our email this week I explain how I use these natural highs and lows to position the flowers. Another great example of how we collaborate with nature to create our designs. If you are not yet receiving your tip email from me (I send one out every Wednesday morning, Vancouver time) you can sign up below.

Allow the ends to extend beyond the container almost like it is a vine that grew this way.

Pour some water into the shallow container.

Make sure the stems are not pinched between the willow so that they orchids remain hydrated. Have a look at the picture in the email where I show you how to make the gaps a bit bigger if you need to and how to position the flowers stems.

I also cut my stem ends slightly differently when I design in shallow pools of water. Book readers turn to page 265 where I show you how to cut the stem so that it can take up as much water as possible even though it is barely in water.

For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

And make sure the cut end of the stem is well below the water line so that it remains hydrated.

And finish the design with a gentle scattering of artificial snow...