My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Patina Copper Spiral Bauble and Pinecone Cascade

Stack two vases to create a display surface

Stack two vases to create a display surface.

Hang the battery of a fairy light string in a wire basket to hook over the edge of a container

Hang the battery of a fairy light string in a wire basket to hook over the edge of a container so that it can easily be switched on and off.

Securely balance a large pinecone on the vase

Securely balance a large pinecone on the vase.

This week I wanted to discuss balance in a bit more detail. Not just balancing the design details but also creating balance in the way the onlooker experience your design. I would love to hear what you think. You can read more about my opinions in our email this week. I send out one email every Wednesday morning to notify you when the design is ready to view. Sign up below the post to make sure you receive yours.

Loop the string light so that you can weave it through the pinecone

Loop the string light so that you can weave it through the pinecone...

To cascade down the front of the design

... To cascade down the front of the design.

Twist the wires together to create single strands

Twist the wires together to create single strands.

Glue in a few twigs to peek out of the pinecone

Glue in a few twigs to peek out of the pinecone...

To start the design

... to start the design.

Add in a few strings of rosary vine

Add in a few strings of rosary vine...

To cascade down with the lights

To cascade down with the lights.

Place the display vase on a plastic sheet

Place the display vase on a plastic sheet to protect you surface from glue and to catch the leftover snow flakes...

You might wonder why I placed the cone on the display container before adding the snow. It's all about crafting a believable floral illusion. For more information on how to take inspiration from nature turn to page 273 of my book to read more about Crafting an Illusion.

And add artificial snow to fall onto the design

Add artificial snow to fall onto the design from above. Look at where you might need more snow and build up the snow in layers.

For more detailed instructions on how I glue the snow to my design see the Tutorial links below.

Set the pinecone aside so that the glue becomes clear and the snow is secure

Set the pinecone aside so that the glue becomes clear and the snow is secure.

Drop a tiny bit of snow into and on the display container

Scatter a tiny bit of snow into and on the display container.

Glue in a few water tubes to keep the fresh flowers hydrated

Glue in a few water tubes to keep the fresh flowers hydrated.

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how I make these water tubes.

Fill the tubes with water

Fill the tubes with water...

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how I fill water tubes.

Place the fresh flowers in the water tubes so that they remain hydrated

Place the fresh flowers in the water tubes so that they remain hydrated.

Add in a few more twigs to finish the design

Add in a few more twigs to finish the design...

Including three sturdy twigs that can carry the weight of the copper spiral baubles

Including three sturdy twigs that can carry the weight of the copper spiral baubles.

Remember to test the twigs to make sure they can carry a bit of weight... and remember to test the design to make sure it is balanced (see this week's newsletter)

Hang the spiral baubles to dangle down the design

Hang the spiral baubles to dangle down the design

The copper baubles were really fun to make. And much easier than you might think! See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how to spiral them. And have a look at the Patina Copper Tutorial for more detailed instructions on how I treated the copper with chemicals to get this blue coloured patina.

Scatter a final dusting of snow to finish the design

Scatter a final dusting of snow to finish the design.

Christmas designing is so wonderful. But it is sometimes difficult to find inspiration to craft new designs that still feel traditional. Turn to page 325 of my book where I discuss how to design with tradition... but in a new way.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

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

Tutorials

13 October 2011 Spiral Wire Cages

The cage spirals to form a basket that wrap around the plump ripe berries (or you can slip in a flower) to hang as connections between the twigs.

24 November 2021 Patina Copper

The colour and the effect will vary due to application, temperature and humidity.

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

24 July 2013 Pinecone and delphinium table top tree

Small tree with fresh flowers

14 August 2012 Peel a Pine cone

It is easier to peel a pine cone from the flat side than to try and break the scales from the top

24 December 2012 Pine Cone Roses

Cut pine cones smaller to look like roses

14 August 2012 Pine scale wreath

Break pine scales from the cone and glue on a wreath frame to create a continuous pine scale wreath

13 December 2017 Long lasting bark and Kalanchoe sleigh

Kalanchoe flowers last weeks without a water source and is the perfect way to dress up a bark and silver bell sleigh

24 July 2013 Wired dangling Jingle bells

Wire the tiny little bells so that they dangle loosely and will jingle with the slightest breeze

3 January 2011 Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase

Favourite Flowers

Ceropegia woodii

Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts

Related Designs

22 December 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most… wonderful Patina Copper Spiral Bauble Christmas of all!

This is the fifth of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. This week I will show you how to add a mostly...

23 November 2022 Ways to Merry a Christmas

A little bit of effort... that will last for weeks design to hang about the whole Festive Season.

17 January 2024 Wave Wrap

Roll birch bark into a double spiral to cradle some perfect flowers to admire all winter.

1 December 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most... Hap-Hapiest Patina Christmas of all!

This is the second of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Craft a three twig sphere snow man to proudly...

15 December 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most… wonderful Patina Copper Christmas Tree of all!

This is the fourth of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Paint copper to add a beautiful patina to a...

8 December 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most... Jingle Patina Christmas of all!

This is the third of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Craft the easiest copper bells to hang in a...

24 November 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most... Glowing-est Patina Christmas of all!

This is the first of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. We will explore how to patina Copper and use it to...

2 December 2015 Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.

13 December 2017 Just hear those sleigh bells jingling

Craft a bark sleigh that will last for weeks.

24 July 2013 Getting into the competitive spirit of things

Retail florists and wholesalers are already designing, ordering and preparing their product range for Christmas. This is my article that I wrote for the Christmas Design Issue of...

24 December 2012 Please have snow… and presents under the tree

Wire a Tiny Twig Treasure Trunk for small Christmas gifts

7 December 2011 Forest Filigree Christmas Wreath

I wanted my Hazel twig wreath to look like forest filigree: mysteriously overgrown, tangled with age and dappled with moss and lichen. The wreath is also dressed with fresh and...

17 December 2014 Star of Wonder

Glue pine needles into star shapes

18 December 2013 Jingle Belling

Glue a stacked twig round-about to use as a Christmas table top wreath