My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Pinching vines in place with almost alike but perfectly unique double vases and twig peg

Slip one bowl container into another slightly bigger container

Slip one bowl container into another slightly bigger container and carefully pour water between the two glass layers to trap a bubble.

Add more water into the inside container to add weight

Add more water into the inside container to add weight to secure your plant material.

Book readers turn to page 166 of my book for what is probably my favourite of my double vase designs. A perfect way to use one bunch of roses and a few blades of grass... and make it look like a whole celebration.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Remove the foliage from a passion fruit vine to expose the tendrils

Remove the foliage from a passion fruit vine to expose the tendrils.

Slip the vine between the two glass containers

Slip the vine between the two glass containers so that the cut end is in the water and the vine can continue to hydrate.

Wind the vine around the inside of the container and secure it by allowing the tendrils to tangle

Wind the vine around the inside of the container and secure it by allowing the tendrils to tangle.

Cut a slit into a twig with a side branch or a long thorn

Cut a slit into a twig with a side branch or a long thorn...

Slip the twig over the side of the container

Slip the twig over the side of the inside container with the thorn or side branch facing outwards.

If you struggle to keep the twig open just enough to slip it over the container I have a tip for you in our email this week. If you are not yet subscribed, I send out a flower lesson email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) to let you know that the new design is ready for you to view. I also include a tip for you to turn the inspiration into a flower lesson even before you view the design. The sign up is below this post.

Add in a long nasturtium stem

Add in a long nasturtium stem. You will notice that the stems tend to pop out of the container especially because they are plump and fully hydrated...

Curve the stem around the container so that it passes by the twig

Curve the stem around the container so that it passes by the twig...

Hook the stem under the thorn or the side branch of the twig

Hook the stem under the thorn or the side branch of the twig...

Cut the thorn or twig shorter

Cut the thorn or twig shorter to tidy up your mechanics... you don't want a surprise firethorn to be lurking between the leaves!

But make sure the side branch or thorn is long enough to hold the vine or stem in place

But make sure the side branch or thorn is long enough to hold the vine or stem in place.

Fold a nasturtium leaf under the thorn to mostly conceal it

Fold a nasturtium leaf under the thorn to mostly conceal it.

And allow the rest of the stem to continue curving around the circle created by the containers

And allow the rest of the stem to continue curving around the circle created by the containers. Both the nasturtium and the passion fruit vine will continue to grow all around creating a minimal wreath. The nasturtium flowers will also continue to open... yes even the tiny buds!

I finished my design with a few dew drop crystals

I finished my design with a few dew drop crystals.

See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how and why I use a pin to position the crystals.

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

Tutorials

22 January 2014 That good old double vase trick

Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

20 February 2019 Stacked bowl floral display

Create a foam free stacked design by slipping flowers between stacked bowls.

14 June 2023 Fold a crab from grass

A fun coastal touch for your design... a woven crab.

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.

2 August 2017 Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.

20 January 2021 Trapped Bubble Double Shallow Vase Design

Trap air between two vases to create a third circle... and frame for a small feather hint to a hopeful Spring

17 April 2024 Tendril support to anchor a floating vase (and its ginormous bubble) in place

Trap a bubble between two shallow containers to float clematis flowers for Spring.

11 August 2021 Dried twig collar in a double vase display for gravity sensitive flowers

Putting the focus on the flowers with an ever changing design.

1 November 2023 Canary vine tangle in a double vase

Great craft for when you are tidying up the garden before the first frost but would still like to enjoy the vines for a bit longer.

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

24 July 2024 Just... the Most

Perfect for summer designing with some space for the vines to continue to grow in your design.

20 February 2019 Inna...

Stack bowls to keep your flower stems in place.

14 June 2023 Because I am beautiful!

It deserves a bowl all of it's own... right? I am (of course!) talking about these spectacular little sweet peas called King Tut. Not much else is needed. But add a cute little...

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

2 August 2017 Grace

Use snips and snippets and leftovers to create a design of it's own

20 January 2021 Hope Bubble

That good old double vase trick... but this time I deliberately added a bubble between the two layers to create a third circle in the design.

17 April 2024 In The Time it Takes To Listen To Learn

Ideal design for those flowers that needs a deep soak to remain hydrated.

11 August 2021 A bit Special... four dimensional designing

Using that little something that is unusual about your flower to make the design stand out.

1 November 2023 That day after Halloween feeling

Time to cut down vines... and enjoy them a bit longer in a Halloween display.

11 April 2018 Follow the line

Stack a few glass containers and fill each with water to a different level.