Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Use Firethorn spears for a Vine and Orchid twist support
- 17 July 2024
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Measure a firethorn twig so that it will fit snugly in a bud vase.
Cut away any thorns or foliage that might get in the way but make sure to leave at least one prominent thorn on the twig to support your floral details.
Slip the twig into the vase with the thorn pointing up.
Angle and fit a Phalaenopsis orchid stem to fit into the container and gently press down to spear the stem into the thorn.
Push the stem down just to where you feel it offers resistance so that it is firmly in place.
Spear another firethorn twig into the orchid stem to keep it from flopping over.
Book readers turn to page 140 to see an example of a similar technique used to create a submerged design. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Push the twig down so that it kicks against the sides of the bud vase.
This week in our newsletter I tell you a bit about cutting stems to push against the sides of a container or vase. I send out an email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) to let subscribers know that the design is ready for them to view. I also add a bit of "insider" information to turn the email into a flower lesson. If you are not yet receiving the email the sign up is below this post.
Add in a third firethorn twig... this one is more decorative so that it the thorn twigs become part of the design. I place this one at a jaunty angle.
Slip a clematis vine into the water so that it is held in place by the stack of firethorn twigs. Drape the clematis around the vase.
Slip in another vine to drape over the vase.
Use the curls in the clematis to keep the vines in place and prevent the cut stem ends to drop into the container so that the bottom part of the bud vase is clear and uncluttered.
And to finish my design off I add a few dew drop crystals.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how and why I add the crystals into my design with a pin.
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Tutorials
Wedge snipped twigs into a glass vase to act as a support for your flowers
Placing gladiolus stems horizontally so that the stems... disappear.
Carefully manipulate and bend green willow stems to place in water to sprout as an armature for tulips to mature and open
Glue glass chips into a half moon to help keep the floral details in place.
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
A no waste... but still decorative way to keep your flower in place and hydrated in the warm days of summer.
An armature to display a lovely surprise orchid that developed on the long spike just after the other flowers started to fade.
Adding design details to create tiny gaps for more design details.
Using the disk floret of a sunflower to support your floral details.
Carefully break... but don't snap a reed to create a curved base for a fanned out grass armature.
Using the design elements as mechanics to secure the design elements.
Weave a small panel that fits snugly in a container for a minimal, foam free design that is quick to make but looks spectacular.
Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.
Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.
Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature in a way that you can place the stems in two vases to keep it hydrated.
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Related Designs
Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems
This orchid developed at the very end of a long stem... right as the rest of the flowers started to die back so I made a special armature to display the cut stem.
Give a minimal design a few grass "whiskers" to feel that Spring breeze.
Position foliage to create a smaller, shallow pond for your floral details to shelter in.
All natural design using the design elements as mechanics.
Craft a willow heart to display 12 red roses to celebrate Valentine's Day.
I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.
