Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Light as air puffy grass and elegantly curved gladiolus summer display that hints at all things pumpkin
- 21 August 2024
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For this design you need to do a bit of preparation work. You will find the detailed instructions for how to create a figure eight spacer with willow for your water tube in the Tutorial below this post.
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?
You can find the figure eight Tutorial below this post.
Place stems of long and elegant purple fountain grasses to sweep over the edge of the container.
Make sure to have a look at the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions if you need to adjust the curve of the grass.
Add another fluffy fountain grass on the opposite side.
Add in another grass to the side...
And another grass stem on the opposite side of that...
Design tip: To keep the grasses from moving secure them to the display container with the tiniest bit of floral glue.
Place and secure a fountain grass stem between each of the already placed stems.
Add another stem of fountain grass between those stems so that they are perfectly spaced out around the container.
Book readers turn to page 126 for more design inspiration on how to use elegantly sweeping grass. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Knot a blade (or blades if they are long long enough) of grass around the container to mark a straight line all around.
Gather three fountain grasses together and secure it to the grass line with floral glue.
Wiggle it ever so slightly so that some of the glue also attaches the grass to the container. Not a lot... you just need the tiniest bit.
Work all the way around and secure the fountain grass in groups of three to the grass and the display container.
To bubble out into what looks like a pumpkin shape.
Cut the grass line...
... on either side of the fountain grass tips leaving only a small strip to help keep the fluffy part together and secured to the vase.
Work all the way around and make sure the grass is secured to the vase in the exact right position before removing the grass line.
Add in a few fountain grass stems...
Curving some of them to sweep elegantly over the gladiolus.
You can find a Tutorial for curving the fountain grass below... and this week in our email I tell you how to "fix" grass that snaps into a sharp angle when you need only gentle curves. If you want to receive a weekly lesson tip email from me- it goes out every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) the moment the new design is ready for you to view. You can sign up below this post.
And as always I finish the design with a few sparkling dew drop crystals.
See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to add the crystals without damaging delicate petals.
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Tutorials
Curving long and elegantly sweeping purple fountain grass
Create a bit of a buffer to keep a water tube upright in a light and airy suspended display.
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...
I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
A collar for a vase that you can use throughout the season... simply replace the water and the flowers inside the vase.
Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.
Reshape a vine wreath into smaller wreaths to combine as a pumpkin
Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature
Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass
This is both a decorative and functional design solution. But most importantly, I think, there is absolutely zero waste.
A cool and minimal floral design for summer.
A radiating design that has the freedom of movement to add a bit of a cooling effect on the warmer days of summer.
Build up a design in a shallow container by stacking it by threading the plant material into the teeth of a pin cushion in three levels.
Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...
Favourite Flowers
Gladiolus, Sword lily, Corn Lilies, gladioluses, glads, plural: gladioli
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
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