My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Spin a tiny glue bead around a thin stem to secure it at an angle in a design

Drop a tiny bead of glue at the very end of the stem you want to attach

Let the glue set to create a platform for the leaf to adhere

Spin more hot glue around the stem to create a bigger bead of glue

Make the glue bead as small as possible. Of course the smaller the bead the less visible it will be. Some positions will only require the tiniest of bead of glue. Other will require a bit more.

Hold the leaf in position for the glue to set.

I find it best not to force the leaf into position. Place it and let it naturally settle .

You can almost not even see the glue.

Sign up for my weekly newsletter

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

Sign Up Now
Tutorials
Stripping bark from willow sticks
8 June 2016
Stripping bark from willow sticks

Strip the green bark from the stems to expose the smooth wood
Bite and snap a sturdy twig
22 May 2012
Bite and snap a sturdy twig

Break the sturdy twig on the scribe line.
Popsicle Stick Square Armature
8 June 2016
Popsicle Stick Square Armature

Glue Popsicle sticks to create a double layered, upright armature
Autumn Screen
29 November 2017
Autumn Screen

Craft a hanging twig and autumn leaf design
Radiating rainbow vine armature
2 May 2018
Radiating rainbow vine armature

Design an armature that is light enough to be carried by two flower stems to create a radiating frame.
Butterfly hairclip claws to hold twigs in place while glue dries
18 January 2012
Butterfly hairclip claws to hold twigs in place while glue dries

Butterfly hair clips are the perfect little claws to help you hold tiny items in place while you wait for glue to dry
Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details
21 September 2022
Counterbalance elegantly leaning Calla lilies with dressed up Dried Autumn Details

Using those much treasured dried autumn details to bridge the gap between the bright green of summer and the brightness that is yet to come.
Using European OASIS floral glue to secure floral details… yes! It makes a difference
22 June 2022
Using European OASIS floral glue to secure floral details… yes! It makes a difference

Securing the most delicate of design details successfully has a lot to do with what glue you use. But what glue is even more complicated than just brand.
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
Related Designs
Still
17 September 2014
Still

My bark bowl design and tutorial featured in the Centrepiece Wedding Magazine
When the wind whisper
8 June 2016
When the wind whisper

Glue a fantasy forest from Popsicle sticks, grape vine tendrils and willow tips
Marcescent
29 November 2017
Marcescent

Glue a delicate autumn room devider
Over the rainbow
2 May 2018
Over the rainbow

Craft a radiating design that suspends from the orchid stems
Cover Story
26 September 2018
Cover Story

The design for the cover of my book, the effortless floral craftsman, crafted from Fiddlehead Fern and Red Lipstick Hanging Heliconia.
Balanced Attitude
21 September 2022
Balanced Attitude

Getting the balance just so... so that you lean into the first sights of Autumn.
You Say Tomato I Say Tomato
22 June 2022
You Say Tomato I Say Tomato

Tiny tomato vine design to celebrate Summer.
Found it!
1 June 2022
Found it!

A very secure thorn branch armature to hold overgrown Tulips in place
It’s one and a half to two times... but to the side
25 September 2019
It’s one and a half to two times... but to the side

Soft minimal... this is exactly the kind of design I place in our apartment. Use a few fall treasures picked up on a walk and add a copper leaf to up the effort and love you add into your designs.
Favourite Flowers
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

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