My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Stem line-up

Komiwara is a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place. For more detailed instructions on how to fill a container with snippets see the Tutorials below

Place a container on it's side on a working surface

Place a container on it's side on a working surface and fill it with twig and stem snippets.

For my design I used heliconia stems and fiddle head fern stems.

Alternate between the two coloured stems.

Alternate between the two coloured stems and set it down in the basic pattern you want it in when you turn the container upright.

When the container is filled with stems lift it upright

When the container is filled with stems lift it upright.

Move the stems around to create your basic design and let the stems settle in place

Move the stems around to create your basic design and let the stems settle in place.

Fill the container with water

Fill the container with water.

Add more stem if required

Add more stem if required. For my design I added a few clear acrylic tubes for visual interest.

Place the heliconia stems.

Place the heliconia stems. Make sure there is enough water in the container to keep the flowers hydrated.

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

Tutorials

7 May 2014 Rethinking the traditional Komiwara technique

Komiwara is a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

22 May 2012 Spiral twig frog

Multiple tiny twigs create a flower frog to keep the delicate buds and leaves in the exact spot you want.

2 August 2017 Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.

10 August 2016 Bamboo frog for a shallow container design

Cut short bamboo lengths to keep your flower material upright in a shallow and narrow container

22 June 2016 Lily grass spiral in a vase

Twist lily grass slightly to create a spiral for the orchids to nestle in

18 March 2015 Meadow in a bowl

Inspired by a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design called Komiwara. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

22 May 2012 Filling a vase with water without disturbing the design details

Break the water flow when you fill a vase with details in that can move with the stream of water

18 June 2014 Sticking a stick curve to create a hollowed out crescent armature

An easy way to create a neat curve in a very short time

26 November 2014 Sticks stuck in a ground covered foundation

Glue potting soil to polystyrene to create a natural looking armature

Related Designs

21 February 2018 Impossible things

A cut stem flower frog for the heavy Hanging Heliconia flowers

4 July 2018 Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details

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.

22 May 2019 Putting your own spin on it

I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.

5 February 2020 What it’s all about

A bundle of twigs armature to create a pretend Spring design for a snowy morning.

6 May 2020 Forever… incomplete

Craft a pretty armature that can be used again and again.

18 August 2021 At Play

A quick-to-do-but-looks-impressive way to display a beautiful cut garden vine for an effortless summer design.

26 April 2023 Oh So Me

Snip and grow willow to create a Spring new growth support for your tall flower stems.

7 May 2014 Serendipity

Be inspired by traditional Ikebana techniques

22 May 2012 Lean

Place short twigs, leaning to one side to create a flower frog

2 August 2017 Grace

Use snips and snippets and leftovers to create a design of it's own

10 August 2016 Saved up

Cut lengths of bamboo to place in a shallow container as a flower frog

22 June 2016 Perfection

Spiral grass to create a nest for the lady slipper orchids

27 April 2016 Sprout

A sneaky way to condition new growth to add into your Spring design

18 March 2015 Spring Dreaming

A bowl full of miniature Chrysanthemums

12 April 2011 Intimate Dinner For Two- Table Setting Competition Class

Floral Sushi Dinner, for two

18 June 2014 Stuck stick

Glue a few sticks to create a hollowed out crescent armature

26 November 2014 Late Autumn Early Christmas.

Glue a ground foundation for a late autumn design