Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Pinching vines in place with almost alike but perfectly unique double vases and twig peg
- 23 July 2024
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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 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.
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.
Cut a slit into a twig with a side branch or a long thorn...
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. 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...
Hook the stem under the thorn or the side branch of the twig...
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.
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. 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.
See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions on how and why I use a pin to position the crystals.
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Tutorials
Create a dry layer by placing a smaller vase inside the larger vase
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Create a foam free stacked design by slipping flowers between stacked bowls.
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.
Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.
Trap air between two vases to create a third circle... and frame for a small feather hint to a hopeful Spring
Trap a bubble between two shallow containers to float clematis flowers for Spring.
Putting the focus on the flowers with an ever changing design.
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.
Only a few stems create an impressive display if you allow the water to design with you.
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