Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Stand bark on pointe to display the sweetest sweet peas
- 19 June 2024
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Wipe two large bark pieces clean. I saved mine from a bag of mulch. And match them together to create some sort of a hollow log.
Take note where the pieces touch and glue those places it together with hot glue.
I am designing my log in a temporary water filled vase...
This not only lifts the bark up to eye level making it easier to design but also gives me a sturdy upright working surface and the tip of the bark soaks in the water to soften it slightly.
Start the design by gluing in some contorted hazel twigs.
Use the rough pieces of the bark to anchor the twigs so that it looks like it is growing out of the bark.
Simply dip the cut end of the twig in hot glue and wiggle it into an opening in the bark.
Turn the vase to make sure the twigs look healthy and growing from all perspectives.
Book readers turn to page 273 where I tell you about creating floral illusions. It really is more convincing if you make the armatures look more natural.
For more information about my book:
The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Add in bits of lichen to the bark armature. I am using reindeer moss- a great long lasting staple to keep in your design pantry.
Remove the bark armature from the water...
And press the soaked tip of the bark into the teeth of a kenzan.
So that it stands firmly upright.
Place the bark and kenzan in a shallow display dish.
Glue reindeer moss to the tip of the bark that is now exposed.
Conceal the kenzan with frosted glass chips.
Design note: glass chips really is a magic trick. It becomes both clear... but not quite see-through in water. If you want anything in your design to disappear... frosted glass chips!
Top the display bowl up with water until the chips are invisible.
Add in the sweet pea vines...
Glue in a few more contorted hazel twigs over the lichen.
... and then I am adding impossibly fine dried roots...
Every here and there... but especially over the lichen.
This week in our email I tell you a bit more about the roots and why I added them. Every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) I send out a notification email to let you know that the latest design is ready for you to view... and I add a small detail or tip that I want you to pay special attention to for us to discuss. You are welcome to reply to the email, or comment... or say hi. It is a great way for us to connect. You can sign up below this post if you are not yet receiving your email.
And I finish the design with a few dew drop crystals.
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Tutorials
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Temporarily adhere a traditional Ikebana Kenzan or pincushion to a shallow container.
Glue tiny sections of pipe to the bark to fill as a water source for the fresh flower material
A bit of Kenzan support for a floating shallow container design
Build up a design in a shallow container by stacking it by threading the plant material into the teeth of a pin cushion in three levels.
Play up contrasts to allow near black flowers to shine.
A small bundle of Spring floral treasures framed with lush monstera foliage.
Craft a bottomless vase out of bark so that the floral stem is supported but can still stand in water to remain hydrated.
A cool and minimal floral design for summer.
Spear bunny tail grasses into a Kenzan to create a cozy space to display apricot lemonade cosmos flowers.
Spiral birch bark strips into two mirror images to create a wintery wrap for a bud vase.
Glue bark to a Papier Maché and wire frame to create a pod shaped armature
Favourite Flowers
Sweet pea
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