My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Tangle a Ceropegia Woodii bud vase nest topper

Hatching an Oncidium orchid from a succulent vine nest... as one does in early Spring.

Pour water into a small bud vase to keep your floral details hydrated

Pour water into a small bud vase to keep your floral details hydrated.

Set a Ceropegia woodii vine deep into the vase

Set a Ceropegia woodii vine deep into the vase.

Gently wrap the vine around the bud vase

Gently wrap the vine around the bud vase.

But let the growing tip of the vine extend beyond the design

But don't twirl in the growing tip of the vine. Let that extend beyond the design. This first vine will help support the rest.

I tell you a bit more about how I style these tips so that they add to the personality of my design this week in our email. I send out one email every week (every Wednesday morning- Vancouver time) with a bit more on one thing that I would like to highlight from each design. This is also the ideal way for us to connect. You are welcome to reply to the email to say hi... or ask a question or share a comment. I would love to hear from you. I answer all the emails, only some weeks it takes me a bit longer than others.

Add in the next vine

Add in the next vine...

Hook the vines over the leaves so that it tangles and hangs securely

It really is all about layering the vine. Have a look at the vine. Visually divide it into quarters and slowly add the next vine to hook over those four points.

The next vine hooks to the second vine, again at four points but this time in between the previous four. This way the vine supports the next vine without it slipping off or dragging down under the weight. The real risk is that a strong droop in the vines might look like the design is wilting into a puddle around the base of the container.

Creating a nest tangle with a generous space for the flower

Creating a nest tangle collar with a generous space for the flower...

Book readers turn to page 238 where I show you another example of winding... this time making a basket.

For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Slip the oncidium into the vine and drape the vine over the petals

Slip the oncidium into the vine and drape the vine over the petals.

Finish the design with a few sparkling dew drop crystals

Finish the design with a few sparkling dew drop crystals.

You can find a detailed Tutorial for how I add these crystals with a pin below this post.

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

Tutorials

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.

31 July 2012 Cherry stem Masquerade Masque

Glue cherry stems to create a mask

9 March 2022 Lily grid for cradling the first spring sprigs in a small vase

Place a fully opened lily over the opening of your vase to help support more delicate stems

10 February 2021 Float a swirling vine nest in a small vase to help keep your flowers in place

Turn a flower vase into a bud vase by floating a smaller container inside the larger one.

3 February 2021 Weave a Ceropegia Woodii Vine grid to catch your flowers

Suspend flowers over a water filled container by weaving a natural grid.

13 January 2021 Tri-petal (with vines to fill in the gaps) lily flower wand

Pick away petals from a lily to create space for delicate vines to really shine.

6 January 2021 Rolled leaf shelter for a lean-in-closer tiny bud vase design

Create a tiny visual tunnel to focus attention.

6 March 2019 Snow puddle armature

Connect twigs with puddles of artificial snow to craft a winter armature for your flowers.

25 April 2018 Hanging Twig Line-Up

Craft a twig mobile for Spring

21 March 2018 Craft a Spring basket from a wreath

A wide gap nearly basket for nearly spring

17 January 2018 Creating contrasts in shallow containers with pebbles and water

Such a peaceful design with just enough float and "stay put" elements

16 August 2017 Criss-cross Monstera lace-up

Glue short sections of rosary vine into the natural gaps in the Monstera deliciosa leaf

Favourite Flowers

Oncidium

Dancing lady

Ceropegia woodii

Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts

Related Designs

28 February 2024 When the Super-duper is taking it Easy-peasy

Easy does it design that hints at but is not yet as intensive as the fun basket weaving and crafting that comes with Spring designing.

18 September 2024 Finding balance

Balancing dried ribbons of foliage to craft a wind twisted floral display.

31 July 2012 Grown Glamour

Delicate cherry twig, rosary vine and oncidium orchid enchanted forest masquerade masque.

9 March 2022 …. Aaaaaand tick!

Ever wonder how I decide what I share with you? A fun design ticking all the boxes.

10 February 2021 My valenVine

An... everything is moving... design. The tulips are growing and the small vine filled vase is bopping around in the water. And if you lean them against each other just right it...

3 February 2021 here’s the catch

Weave an all natural net to place over a vase to keep your flowers above water.

13 January 2021 It's in there

Complete the picture by drawing a lily flower with delicate vines.

6 January 2021 I tip my (flower) cap!

An enclosed design that invites the onlooker to lean in closer to explore the pretty orchid.

6 March 2019 It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright

25 April 2018 Get in line!

Line up a few pussy willow twigs for a hanging armature

21 March 2018 Bring some Spring

Just like the weather is only hinting at spring, so is this design only hinting at being a basket

17 January 2018 Flowering Between a Rock and a Hard place

Create a subtle contrast by floating or anchoring some of your design elements.

16 August 2017 Making Ends Meet

Criss-cross corset style connect the gaps in a Monstera deliciosa leaf