My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Pick up any bits of plant material floating in the water

Dip a brush in the water to wet the brustles.

Sweep up the debris.

It will settle in the bristles.

Even the tiniest bits of plant material float closer to the brush and can simply be picked up, leaving your vase spotless to display.

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Tutorials
Designing with refraction
11 April 2018
Designing with refraction

Only a few stems create an impressive display if you allow the water to design with you.
Syringe with tube
3 January 2011
Syringe with tube

Easy way to fill test tubes and easiest way to remove water from a vase
Stack two glass vases to keep a leaf upright in water
24 January 2018
Stack two glass vases to keep a leaf upright in water

Slip a leaf into the gap between two glass containers to keep it upright... and add a plastic lining to support the flowers nestled into it.
Prevent scratches, rust and water stains on display surfaces
17 July 2012
Prevent scratches, rust and water stains on display surfaces

This is a great, non permanent way to protect surfaces from damage
That good old double vase trick
22 January 2014
That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
A secret trick to conditioning new growth
13 April 2012
A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening
19 February 2013
Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

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 breaking it.
Suspending and positioning a Phalaenopsis orchid under water
30 August 2011
Suspending and positioning a Phalaenopsis orchid under water

Flowers naturally float and you will need some kind of sinker to keep them suspended under water.
A design solution for showcasing the tiniest flowers... in a big way
22 May 2024
A design solution for showcasing the tiniest flowers... in a big way

Floating the tiniest Bits of Floral Treasures from your cut flower garden
Light Layer float Wisteria flowers
17 May 2023
Light Layer float Wisteria flowers

Craft the softest layer of wisteria flowers that neatly float on water.
A wild "found it this way" thorn and overgrown tulip design with a ribbon tangle instead of a bow.
1 June 2022
A wild "found it this way" thorn and overgrown tulip design with a ribbon tangle instead of a bow.

Glue an overgrown thorn armature to a container to display fully opened tulips
Twig float for a single lemon blossom
5 August 2020
Twig float for a single lemon blossom

This design is all about that line there where the water meets the lemon blossom stem...
A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping
15 April 2020
A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping

Capture Spring for just a little bit longer by sticking blossoms down, in place.
Letting grass kick against the side of the vase to create a neat and minimal line
10 July 2019
Letting grass kick against the side of the vase to create a neat and minimal line

Plant material float about in water. To keep it in place it is best to wedge it slightly to touch the sides of the container.
Glued Hydrangea Float
11 July 2018
Glued Hydrangea Float

Glue a delicate hydrangea wreath to float on water
Designing with refraction
11 April 2018
Designing with refraction

Only a few stems create an impressive display if you allow the water to design with you.
Related Designs
How to make a stack of just enough:
24 January 2018
How to make a stack of just enough:

Stack two vases to create a small gap at the side to keep a leaf upright
How do you do?
22 January 2014
How do you do?

Snow and twigs winter design
Ichi-go, ichi-e
30 August 2011
Ichi-go, ichi-e

Freely translated it means Each Moment, Only Once. It is a saying associated with Japanese tea ceremonies.
Today I'll be
23 March 2013
Today I'll be

Silhouette design using glasses filled with water
Hide-and-go-peek
17 April 2013
Hide-and-go-peek

Create a soft light by making a leaf cocoon for a flameless candle
Delicate
4 November 2015
Delicate

Bleached Gypsophila wreath with delicate autumn touches
Those B00OOOoootunias though!
30 October 2024
Those B00OOOoootunias though!

Add something dark and suspicious to your petunias for a fun Halloween display
Let me float my Wednesday idea by you for a bit
22 May 2024
Let me float my Wednesday idea by you for a bit

Floating the most delicate cut flowers
Purple haze… float
17 May 2023
Purple haze… float

Softest Wisteria colour to cool things down on an unexpectedly warm day.
Found it!
1 June 2022
Found it!

A very secure thorn branch armature to hold overgrown Tulips in place
Spare a Moment
5 August 2020
Spare a Moment

A tranquil design that just takes a moment to do... when you need to take a moment to... breathe.
Helping Spring Stick Around
15 April 2020
Helping Spring Stick Around

Blossom petals drop so quickly! Here's a way to make them last just that little bit longer.
These are my favourite summer things:
10 July 2019
These are my favourite summer things:

A submerged design... perfect for summertime designing... and enjoying!
Stay-a-Float
11 July 2018
Stay-a-Float

Snip florets from a hydrangea mop head to float on water
Follow the line
11 April 2018
Follow the line

Stack a few glass containers and fill each with water to a different level.
Favourite Flowers
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

I wove three willow spheres for my Floral Art design Three Drops of floral chocolate.