My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Reusable Table Top Lei Armature

Thread a huge bundle of eucalyptus leaves into string

Thread a huge bundle of eucalyptus leaves into string... for more details on what string is the most suitable for lei making turn to page 219 of my book.

Also: Turn to page 219 to learn more about traditional lei needles… but if you can’t find a lei needle… of course I have a Tutorial for you on how to make your own needle... in fact turn to page 207 where you will also find the entire section on Mastery: pierced, threaded, stacked and skewered.

Knot the two ends together

Knot the two ends together.

Creating a beautiful eucalyptus lei

Creating a beautiful eucalyptus lei...

Display the lei on the edge of a clear container

Display the lei on the edge of a clear container. Your Lei is now ready to design with.

In my design I have three options on how to keep your flowers hydrated so that it is as versatile as possible. I have included it as a tip in my newsletter this week. Make sure you are subscribed so that you don't miss out on the behind the scenes conversations.
It is also in my book if this is the kind of design ideas that you enjoy. If you still want to get a copy of my book you can read more about it here: 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

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

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

13 September 2017 Tape a grid around the edges of a container for a table top wreath

Suspend flowers with an almost invisible taped grid

4 December 2019 Eucalyptus collar for a snow-covered Christmas candle

Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.

11 July 2018 Glued Hydrangea Float

Glue a delicate hydrangea wreath to float on water

22 September 2012 Stiffen and set skeletonized leaves into a whirl

Skeletonized leaves can be shaped while wet to create shapes

19 December 2018 Sparkling Eucalyptus Tabletop Christmas tree

Craft an ethereal Christmas tree from Eucalyptus leaves, twigs and sparkling snow flake crystals.

17 July 2019 Twig Dome Armature

Crafted from a hand full of twigs to give you a large design... even though you add only two stems of sweet peas.

9 October 2019 Quarter fold and Thread an Autumn leaf tube armature

This armature is actually made of four times as many leaves as what it looks like to create a hinge to fan the entire leaf-tube open yet keep it's shape.

18 December 2019 Here it is: the quickest, easiest Christmas wreath… ever!

My work is usually so labour intensive... this one came as a wonderful surprise... it really is both quick and easy to craft this wreath!

30 October 2013 Spiked Autumn leaf cauldron

Pike a few (hundred!) autumn leaves to build up a hollow leaf armature

Favourite Flowers

Tillandsia Usneoides

Spanish moss, Florida moss, long moss, or graybeard

Related Designs

17 June 2020 Lei-way

Allow for a bit of variation by crafting a sturdy armature.

18 May 2022 Because Why

Adding the smallest details to absolutely make the design.

3 May 2023 Spring Row

Viola and chives cleverly dancing upright in a row.

12 July 2023 Standing in frond

Standing your delicate flower stems in a fern frond.

13 September 2017 Around again

Tape a grid at the edge of a container

4 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus-collar-candle Christmas!

An easy and naturally fragrant winter white candle decoration to bring nature into your house this Christmas.

11 July 2018 Stay-a-Float

Snip florets from a hydrangea mop head to float on water

22 September 2012 Turning of the leaves

An Autumn Equinox design that captures the moment before the spectacular colour burst of autumn floats around again

19 December 2018 Oh Florist-tree

Craft an Eucalyptus Christmas tree

17 July 2019 … and... a bit more... effort… to make it special

Instead of just placing a handful of twigs and two stems of sweet peas in a vase... why not...?

9 October 2019 With a thankful twist in the middle

Fold and thread an autumn leaf armature for a thankful Thanksgiving design

18 December 2019 A Happy, Merry, Jolly (easy as that!) Eucalyptus Christmas wreath

Now this is quite a discovery! And it honestly is the easiest and quickest way to go from "I still want to decorate for Christmas" to "... aaand I am done, I made our wreath"

30 October 2013 As the leaves melt away

Spike a few hundred fall leaves to create a cauldron for Halloween flowers