My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

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

Twist rings out of silver wire

Twist rings out of silver wire

I prefer to make a few rings and then assemble the ball shape

I prefer to make a few rings and then assemble the ball shape

Slip the first ring over the second and secure with wire

Slip the first ring over the second and secure with wire

Add another ring and secure

Add another ring and secure

Keep adding rings to build up a ball shape

Keep adding rings to build up a ball shape

Secure each ring at two places to add strength.

Secure each ring at two places to add strength.

Pour wood glue on to the ring

Pour wood glue on to the ring...

And sprinkle on some artificial snow

And sprinkle on some artificial snow

Cover the wire with artificial snow

Cover the wire with artificial snow

Set aside to dry completely

Set aside to dry completely

Weave in thin stems of willow

Weave in thin stems of willow

Crossing the stems to secure

Crossing the stems to secure

Pour small drops of glue on the stems and sprinkle with more snow

Pour small drops of glue on the stems and sprinkle with more snow

Add another layer of twigs and snow

Add another layer of twigs and snow

Once dry the kissing bough is ready to design with

Once dry the kissing bough is ready to design with

Weave in winter greenery and Kalanchoe flowers

Weave in winter greenery and Kalanchoe flowers

Design Note:
Kalanchoe flowers last really well even without a water source. The flowers on this kissing ball remained beautiful for nine days.

And add a few silver bells

And add a few silver bells

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

Tutorials

1 October 2012 Weaving a ball shaped Dew-drop Catcher from grass

Weave a sphere from grass

25 January 2012 Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball

1 November 2011 Weaving a twig wreath

For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...

24 July 2013 Wired dangling Jingle bells

Wire the tiny little bells so that they dangle loosely and will jingle with the slightest breeze

20 November 2013 Wired Foliage Circles

Manipulate leaves into a wired circle

Favourite Flowers

Kalanchoe

Christmas Kalanchoe, Kalanchöe or Kalanchoë

Related Designs

2 December 2015 Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.

28 December 2016 A Jingle Cotton Christmas

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

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

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...

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.

16 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Snow Globe

...ok not really that fancy- it’s paper pulp. Cardboard boxes, really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered. This week...

17 November 2021 Ringing in A Very Merry Traditional Christmas… Tradition

A more than just a hint of Christmas tradition design... in a pre-Christmas design.

1 December 2021 It’s the most… it’s the most... Hap-Hapiest Patina Christmas of all!

This is the second of my Christmas 2021 series of designs. This year in the form of a mini workshop… my Christmas present to you. Craft a three twig sphere snow man to proudly...

23 November 2022 Ways to Merry a Christmas

A little bit of effort... that will last for weeks design to hang about the whole Festive Season.

30 November 2022 Take a bough… it’s Christmas time!

A wool and twig snowflake design (made from candy canes!) that will last the entire Festive Season.

21 December 2022 Let it

A happy December Solstice or the Winter Solstice lantern.

13 December 2023 A Very Merry Naked Tree and Woodland Woodsy and Oversized Flowers Trendy Christmas Cheer

From now to a bit after New Year's Eve I will show you my take on the trends for Christmas 2023. This week I am continuing with a garland bowl and a cone and twig reindeer.

4 December 2012 'Tis the Season

My article looking at contrasts and 6 winter lantern designs featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine

25 January 2012 Three Drops of Floral Chocolate

The design drips down in three tiers each celebrating life, love and connection.