My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Sprouting willow armature

Use your finger to cushion the fresh willow stem as you bend it at an angle

Use your finger to cushion the fresh willow stem as you bend it at an angle

This makes it easier to manipulate the fresh twig. For a more detailed Tutorial on how to manipulate stems see the link below

Wedge the stem in a low container

Wedge the stem in a low container. Make sure the willow kick against the sides but take care not to put too much pressure on it so that it shatters the class container.

Bend another twig and place it over the first.

Bend another twig and place it over the first.

Fill the container with water and stand the graceful tulip stem in the armature

Fill the container with water and stand the graceful tulip stems in the armature

Add a few more willow stems for visual interest

Add a few more willow stems for visual interest

And a few pebbles in the shallow container

And place a few pebbles in the shallow container to visually balance the design

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

Tutorials

19 February 2013 Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...

11 February 2015 Stripping foliage from weaving stems

Remove foliage from stems to weave with

21 March 2012 Where to cut Tulips to condition

Here is a trick to make sure your tulips will condition thoroughly

Favourite Flowers

Tulipa

Tulip

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Related Designs

27 January 2016 Well, I'll be

Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems

3 August 2016 Practice

Weave a willow bird nest

4 April 2018 Grow on it

Wedge twigs into a vase to create a grid.

14 November 2018 For just this moment… let’s take a break

Simplicity to showcase the perfection of the Lisianthus buds

24 March 2021 To two too!

A Spring Tulip celebration design... with a special message

1 June 2022 Found it!

A very secure thorn branch armature to hold overgrown Tulips in place

5 July 2023 The Wiggle Is Part Of The Plan

A easy going summer design that makes full use of the imperfections you harvest from your cut garden.

26 June 2024 It’s leaps of faith, grasshoppers

A sunny rock to make your design... not rock

17 July 2024 Refresh-ing

A tall vase for a short orchid stem summer design

25 September 2024 Toning down the summer up into the earliest autumn

Using summery floral details in a way that it gives you all the autumn feelings... when autumn details are not yet out.