My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Sticking a stick curve to create a hollowed out crescent armature

Cut a large cardboard circle.

Cut a large cardboard circle.

Measure the circle to fit the shallow container

Measure the circle to fit the shallow container

Draw the crescent shape on the cardboard

Draw the crescent shape on the cardboard

Cut out the shape

Cut out the shape and measure it against the shallow container. It should be well within the limits of the container.

Temporarily keeping the cardboard upright:

Cut out three pieces of cardboard

Cut out three pieces of cardboard

The cardboard should fit snugly in the container

The cardboard should fit snugly in the container

Cut into the cardboard.

Cut into the cardboard.

Slip the crescent shape into the slit

Slip the crescent shape into the slit

This creates a very stable but easy to remove base

This creates a very stable but easy to remove base

Measure the sticks against the cardboard and cut and glue.

Measure the sticks against the cardboard and cut and glue.

Simply follow the cardboard outline

Simply follow the cardboard outline.

Build up the sticks around the cardboard

Build up the sticks around the cardboard. Do not glue the sticks to the cardboard feet so that it is easy to remove

Turn the armature around and glue twigs to the other side

Turn the armature around and glue twigs to the other side

Continue to measure, cut and glue in sticks

Continue to measure, cut and glue in sticks

Remove the cardboard feet

Once you have enough sticks glued around the armature so that it can support itself you can remove the cardboard feet

Continue to add sticks

Continue to add sticks making sure it is balanced and stable before adding bulk

Fill in any gaps with sticks

Fill in any gaps with sticks

Turn the armature and makes sure the cardboard is completely concealed

Turn the armature and makes sure the cardboard is completely concealed

Cut tiny bits sticks to cover the cardboard edge

Cut tiny bits sticks to cover the cardboard edge

Glue the tine bits of stick into place

Glue the tiny bits of stick into place

Look carefully and fill in any gaps.

Look carefully and fill in any gaps.

Press a small test tube between the sticks to keep the strawberry runner hydrated

Press a small test tube between the sticks to keep the strawberry runner hydrated

See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions to make your own drinking straw test tubes and an easy way to blow away the hot glue strands.

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

Tutorials

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

24 July 2012 Blow away hot glue strands

When you glue a structure with hot glue there are always a few stray strands of glue stuck all over the design. Blow it away with a hairdryer.

Related Designs

18 June 2014 Stuck stick

Glue a few sticks to create a hollowed out crescent armature

21 February 2018 Impossible things

A cut stem flower frog for the heavy Hanging Heliconia flowers

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.