My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Starlight Garland

The strand of fairy lights was inspired by the age old way we draw a star

The strand of fairy lights was inspired by the age old way we draw a star...

Horizontal then down, up, down and to the side to close the shape. I was wondering what I can add to the design to make it Christmas star-like and thought it is a continuous line...

So I glued in the stars to the base of the design

So I cut out the shapes and glued in the stars to the base of the design and let me show you how to make the star garland...

Cut a thin strip of cardboard

Cut a thin strip of cardboard...

Leave a tail of wire and then wrap the wire around the cardboard

Leave a tail of wire and then wrap the wire around the cardboard...

Slip the wire from the cardboard

Slip the wire from the cardboard... Hold the first bend horizontal to start to shape the star...

Horizontal then down, up, down and to the side to close the shape

Horizontal then down, up, down and to the side to close the shape...

To create a neat star shape

Press the wires flat to create a neat star shape.

Bend the wires around the corners to secure the shape

Bend the wires around the corners to secure the shape.

Skip a few lights to leave a gap between the stars and wrap and bend the next star.

Skip a few lights to leave a gap between the stars and wrap and bend the next star.

To create a puffy star

To create a puffy star:

Make a star at the end of the fairy lights

Make a star at the end of the fairy lights...

Gather and bundle the rest of the wire lights

Gather and bundle the rest of the wire lights...

Roll the wire light bundle into a tight ball between your hands

Roll the wire light bundle into a tight ball between your hands.

Book readers turn to page 36 to read more about using wire for design work. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Tight enough to fit inside the star

Tight enough to fit inside the star...

Place the bauble behind the star

Place the bauble behind the star...

Wrap the leftover wire around the star shape to secure it

Wrap the leftover wire around the star shape to secure it...

Pour some Epson salt into the display container and slip the star in to dangle above the snow

Pour some Epson salt into the display container and slip the star in to dangle above the snow.

I use Epson salt inside the container because it has a natural sparkle to it. It is easier to pour in... and out... because it is not static like artificial snow.

Place the Magnolia tree on the display container to keep the puffy star in place

Place the Magnolia tree on the display container to keep the puffy star in place...

Tuck the on off switch of the star garlands into the leaf tree and dangle it down the sides

Tuck the on off switch of the star garlands into the leaf tree and dangle it down the sides where you added the star crystals.

See the Tutorial below for more detail instructions on how to make the tall Magnolia leaf tree. Also this week in our email I show you how I created the little pockets between the leaves so that you can fit the flowers and the light switch. If you are not yet receiving my Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) email you can sign up below this post. I send out the email to you the moment the design is ready to view. Each week with a bit of a closer look at something that I found interesting about the design. This is also a great way for us to connect. Oh yes... I answer all the emails. So if you have a question or a comment or want to say hi, I would love to hear from you.

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

Tutorials

20 December 2023 Velvet Magnolia Leaf Christmas Tree

Cozy textured tall and luxurious table top tree design.

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

14 December 2022 Sparkle Spool and Velvet Magnolia Table Top Christmas Tree

A pretty way to warm up your living space with the luxurious velvet texture you find on the underside of Magnolia leaves.

20 December 2017 Twinkle and Pine Christmas Star

Use a cardboard shape to craft a simple wire Christmas star

14 December 2016 Bark and Cotton Candy Cane

Cover a cardboard shape in cotton and bark to create a floral armature

16 November 2022 Magnolia Rose Bowl with the brightest Holly berries and Kalanchoe flowers

Long lasting berries, magnolia leaves and succulent (kalanchoe) flowers that can remain without any water or maintenance for... well... all the way to Christmas!

19 December 2018 Sparkling Eucalyptus Tabletop Christmas tree

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

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.

21 December 2016 Bark Christmas Stocking

Cover a wire frame to create a Christmas stocking armature

28 December 2016 A bark strip and fluffed cotton disk wreath

Cover a wreath frame with bark strips and fluffed out cotton

18 November 2020 Foam free and flameless cardboard and bark yule log

Using all those cardboard boxes to craft a bark covered "log" design for getting a head start on Christmas decorating.

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

13 December 2017 Long lasting bark and Kalanchoe sleigh

Kalanchoe flowers last weeks without a water source and is the perfect way to dress up a bark and silver bell sleigh

Favourite Flowers

Kalanchoe

Christmas Kalanchoe, Kalanchöe or Kalanchoë

Related Designs

20 December 2023 A Very Merry Dark chocolate Velvet Texture of Yore, Tall and Trendy Christmas Cheer

Tall and velvety Christmas tree... with a starlight garland

22 January 2013 It's High Time for Tea: from craft to art, taking a delicious floral journey with veneer techniques

This was my second two designs for my It's High Time for Tea Floral Craft and Art Demonstration at The Capilano Flower Arranging Club meeting.

20 December 2017 A Very Merry Christmas Star

A wire Christmas star with a secret plan to hide the twinkle

14 December 2016 A Candy(cane) Cotton Christmas

A floral cotton candy cane

14 December 2022 Joyf'ly

Table top Christmas tree with a fairy light twig trunk.

19 December 2018 Oh Florist-tree

Craft an Eucalyptus Christmas tree

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.

21 December 2016 A Gleaming Cotton Christmas

Glue bark to a wire frame to create a Christmas stocking armature

28 December 2016 A Jingle Cotton Christmas

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

18 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box Yule log… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

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.

13 December 2017 Just hear those sleigh bells jingling

Craft a bark sleigh that will last for weeks.