Submerged vine wreath armature to beat the summer heat

23 June 2021
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Carefully remove the foliage from a long vine. Make sure not to cut away the tendrils and keep the vine in water as much as possible to keep it hydrated.

This week in our email I tell you a bit more about choosing elements for a design so that you can "cool down" the design beyond using cool colours... make sure you are signed up to our once a week email to join the conversation. Also you are welcome to reply to the email if you want to share a comment with me or ask a question.

Measure the one stem end of the vine to begin weaving a small wreath. The loop should be just slightly larger so that it fits snugly in the container.

Weave a sturdy wreath into the vine.

If you are unsure of how to weave a wreath you can find loads of information about manipulating stems so that they don't break, how to weave, how to interweave stems in my book. But to get you started I have also included a more detailed Tutorial below.

Slip the wreath into the container so that it fits snug against the sides

Fill the container with water.

Make sure the vine end is well below the water line so that it remains hydrated.

Drape the rest of the vine over the container to create a sweeping curve

Drape the rest of the length of the vine over the container to create a sweeping curve

Groom Alstroemeria flowers into a small bunch so that you can see the vine through the flower stems.

Give the flower stem a fresh cut before inserting it in to the design

Design note: we do this. We all learn how to do this... but do you know WHY? I find conditioning rather fascinating. It is a great clue to the creative potential of each flower. I explain a bit more of the why (beyond it lasts longer) in my book- from the flower's perspective.

For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Slip the flower stem through the vine wreath so that it stands perfectly upright.

Drape the vine towards the flowers to create a unit making sure the tendrils keep the flowering stems in place.

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Tutorials

1 November 2011 Weaving a twig wreath

For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...

19 August 2020 Tangle a perfect vine around two wreaths for a split armature

Passion fruit flowers never lasts long. Not even growing outside on a vine. But the buds continue to open once cut making a wreath display ideal for an even changing passion fruit...

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...

5 September 2018 Wisteria Vine Wreath Armature

Create a barely there armature with sturdy end of season vines.

10 June 2020 Overgrown vine tangle to suspend flowers in a clear vase

A zero waste and sustainable floral design solution to keep your flowers exactly where you want them without using floral foam.

11 September 2019 Weave a small wreath in the side twig of a willow branch to keep a flower in place in your design

This is both a decorative and functional design solution. But most importantly, I think, there is absolutely zero waste.

24 May 2017 Chain link wreath weaving

Weave a few small wreaths to connect

8 July 2015 Overgrown Willow web inspired by a traditional Dream-catcher

I wanted my willow armature to hint of a web-like dreamcatcher that grows in the wild rather than being a precise replica of the traditional craft technique. But I did weave it...