My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Perk up faux plant material and flowers that are not wired

A sprig of wired faux plant material is easy to bend back into a more natural position. Plastic plant material without a wire in their stems need a bit of help to get back into shape.

Remove the faux stems from there packaging or binding

Remove the faux stems from the packaging or binding that press the stems flat.

Shake out the stems

Shake out the stems so that you can work with one stem at a time.

Hold the stem over a pot of boiling water

Hold the stem over a pot of boiling water. Once the stems are warm and pliable carefully bend the stems open and give them a more natural curve.

Even identical stems can each get their own personality by curving them this way

Even identical stems can each get their own personality by curving them this way.

The perked up faux mistletoe branches are ready to design with

The perked up faux mistletoe branches are ready to design with as soon as the plastic is cool and the new curve will now be set into place.

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

Tutorials

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

27 November 2019 How to make a just-picked-it-a-moment-ago snow covered icicle and mistletoe hanging branch bunch

Gather a few branches to hang as a magical winter wonderland Christmas decoration.

14 May 2014 Perking up roses (Please... don't ever do this, anywhere but at home, and only for yourself!)

This trick works really well, but it is a temporary fix to extend the life of drooping roses and is not a substitute for good quality fresh flowers. It is great to know this...

27 November 2019 Fake real stems-ends for real fake branches

Add a real stem to shorter artificial branches to incorporate them into a design.

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"

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 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.

25 December 2018 Twig Snowflake

Glue twigs into a snowflake twig armature for Christmas trimmings.

22 May 2012 Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.

6 December 2017 Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree

Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree

28 December 2016 A bark strip and fluffed cotton disk wreath

Cover a wreath frame with bark strips and fluffed out cotton

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

20 December 2017 Twinkle and Pine Christmas Star

Use a cardboard shape to craft a simple wire Christmas star

Related Designs

27 November 2019 The struggle is real!

Design 3 looking at How to style with artificial plants and branches using quality faux plants and stems. This week: mistletoe! And also .. give your faux a reason for being...

20 November 2019 Not just a pretty face!

Design 2 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: wired branches

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

11 June 2012 Wish Upon a Dandelion Star

A sticky shooting star made with gypsophila stems and fluffy dandelion seeds

25 November 2015 So white

A dried Baby's breath and fresh orchid wreath

6 December 2017 While I sing of beauty's treasure

Glue the most delicate twig table top Christmas tree

28 December 2016 A Jingle Cotton Christmas

Cover a wreath frame with bark and cotton for a textured Christmas wreath design

2 December 2015 Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.

20 December 2017 A Very Merry Christmas Star

A wire Christmas star with a secret plan to hide the twinkle