Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Weave a burst of overgrown wildness wreath
- 18 September 2019
- click to send Christine a smile
Bend willow branches to shape the wreath. Normally I would carefully shape the wreath circle but for this design I wanted it to be slightly imperfect so I allowed the stems to bend into this shape without over manipulating it.
I have a Tutorial below this post with more detailed instructions on how to bend and shape a wreath.
Weave in the remaining twigs just enough to secure the wreath without neatening up the dangling tips.
Add in more stems by pressing the twig into any gaps and lightly weaving the stem around the wreath.
Carefully work around the delicate tips so that they do not break but rather extend wildly all around the wreath.
Add in a few thinner twigs where you see gaps so that the wild willow tips extend all around the wreath.
Place a few dew drop crystals on the autumn leaves.
See below in the Tutorial section for more detailed instructions on how I add these crystals.
Glue in the leaves. But only a few. The focus should be on the wild and wonderful wreath do not cover it in leaves.... yet.
Add the Aranthera orchids into the design. For this design I kept the orchids on their stems. It not only helps the orchids last longer but also allow you to place them at unique angles adding to the overall overgrown look of the design.
See the Tutorial section below for more information on both how I cut the orchids into sections and how I made these little water tubes from drinking straws.
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Tutorials
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...
When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.
Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.
Orchids grow in long flower spikes. It is great to use the entire stem but sometimes you need shorter section. There is a trick to cutting the stems without leaving a visible...
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
Favourite Flowers
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
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My article and Willow Crown design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
