My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Paper log stack

Cut cardboard disks and strips for the logs.

Glue the strips around the disks to create the logs with hot glue

Gently let the cardboard fold to curve

That is the basic log shape...

Continue to make as many log shapes as needed

For a smooth wood cover the logs with a Kyogi paper (Japanese shaved wood)veneer

Cut the Kyogi paper into strips following the wood grain.

Glue the strips of Kyogi paper to the cardboard logs.

Or for a more rustic rough log cover the veneer with bark wood chips

With a strong sharp knife remove bark from wood

Glue the bark chips to the paper log

Continue adding bits of bark

Stack the paper logs and glue on bits of lichen.

Add a few twigs to the log disks

I also wanted my metal container to look rustic and wooden so I covered it first with brown Papier Mache and then with bark chips

Paper log stacked armature all done and ready to design with

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Tutorials
Papier Mache
2 June 2011
Papier Mache

I save all the thin tissue paper or un-printed newsprint papers that are wrapped around the flowers that are delivered to me to make batches of Papier Mache with. These sheets make fantastic Papier Mache because it is designed to be super absorbent and colour fast.
Wind Spinner
13 April 2011
Wind Spinner

My inspiration for my Harnessing the Wind design was a wind spinner.
Bark covered Wreath
31 March 2011
Bark covered Wreath

Keep in mind that in order to make a realistic looking fantasy design element, such as the wreath, you must focus on how this item would grow in nature.
Foam free and flameless cardboard and bark yule log
18 November 2020
Foam free and flameless cardboard and bark yule log

Using all those cardboard boxes to craft a bark covered "log" design for getting a head start on Christmas decorating.
Craft a single legged wire nest to place a flameless candle into your design
18 November 2020
Craft a single legged wire nest to place a flameless candle into your design

Super easy to add into your design and even easier to switch the candle on... and off, without disturbing the design details.
Tea stained Bamboo husk orchids
15 July 2020
Tea stained Bamboo husk orchids

Paint bamboo husks with strong tea to create a pretty orchid.
Phalaenopsis orchid cascade over a log slice display
15 July 2020
Phalaenopsis orchid cascade over a log slice display

Add the design details to the wood... and not to the orchid plant so that it can easily be removed to soak for a long lasting still growing display.
Muted Side Up Autumn Leaf Pod
18 October 2017
Muted Side Up Autumn Leaf Pod

Turn the leaf so that the muted underside faces outward to create a more understated Autumn colour scheme .
Papier Mache pumpkin half
18 October 2017
Papier Mache pumpkin half

Glue thin tissue paper layers to a pumpkin to create a shape to design with
Bark pod for growing a Pearl Oyster mushroom mini farm
19 August 2015
Bark pod for growing a Pearl Oyster mushroom mini farm

Glue bark to a Papier Maché and wire frame to create a pod shaped armature
Use a BoutStix Floral Magnet to hang test tubes
29 March 2012
Use a BoutStix Floral Magnet to hang test tubes

This is a fast and easy way to hang test tubes in a design
Related Designs
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log
18 November 2020
Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box Yule log… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered.
Pass it on
15 July 2020
Pass it on

A cascade of orchids growing over a slice of wood. Easy to design... and even easier to maintain!
On the inside
18 October 2017
On the inside

For a softer autumn leaf pod turn the leaves so that the bright side faces in when making the pod.
A Floral Fable: Floriograpy Design
29 March 2012
A Floral Fable: Floriograpy Design

This is the fourth and last design I did for my Floral Fable demonstration.
A Floral Fable Design demonstration Floral Art Structures
15 March 2012
A Floral Fable Design demonstration Floral Art Structures

I did a Floral Art demonstration at The Capilano Flower Arranging club. Over the next few weeks I will show the designs in detail and add the design tutorials. This week I’ll look at the concept, the basic mechanics and the Floral Art structures, constructions and armatures used in the demonstration.