Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Whittle a stumpy stopper to peg precious tiny floral details in place
- 30 April 2025
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Score a line right around a stump of willow with a sharp knife...
... And peel away the bark.
So that the stump fits snugly in the neck of a display container.
Deep enough to wedge into the glass and stand upright.
Pour water into the little display container to just below where the willow stump will be when displayed.
Cut a notch into the willow stump...
In a v shape...
Each stem of plant material you display gets its own little notch in the willow.
For instance, I am arranging a vine and the orchid stem so I made two notches in the willow.
Slip a vine through the notch so that it fits tightly...
Book readers turn to page 154 for another version of this design. This time, instead of a twig stopper I wove a tube from grass to slip into the opening of a vase. For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
The willow keep the vine in place so that you have more control over the placement of the vine without it flopping around...
Slip the Phalaenopsis orchid stem into the budvase so that it is kept in place with the notch in the willow.
It is important that you make sure the fresh flower material are kept in place by the willow stem and not the glass container. I explain this in more detail in our email this week. I send out an email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) the moment the new design is ready to view with a bit more detail about each design so that you can make the most of each week's inspiration. The sign up is below this post if you are not yet receiving the email.
Drape the vine around the orchid to finish of the floral arrangement...
And add a few dew drop crystals for sparkle.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how I add the tiny, tiny crystals exactly where I want them.
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Tutorials
Strip the green bark from the stems to expose the smooth wood
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Keep flowers in place by placing a lemon on the narrow rim of the container.
Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature in a way that you can place the stems in two vases to keep it hydrated.
Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.
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.
Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.
Hide the prettiest of flowers in the entire bunch in plain sight by framing it with elegant grass.
Willow cutting left in water will root and sprout... perfect for a all natural flower frog to admire as is or to keep long stem flowers upright.
Craft a platform to highlight small flowers
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 all started with my twig being just too small to wedge into the glass vase tight enough to keep my orchid stem in place...
Lean a large pebble in a display container to keep your summer floral details exactly where you want them.
A radiating design that has the freedom of movement to add a bit of a cooling effect on the warmer days of summer.
Both pretty and pretty effective. Keep the flowers exactly where you want them by weaving a stopper for your bud vase.
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
Related Designs
Display tiny design details in a budvase by crafting a stopper-frog.
I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.
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Snip and grow willow to create a Spring new growth support for your tall flower stems.
Add design elements that serves a purpose for a minimal summer inspired floral design.
Weave a spherical support to place long stemmed flowers into a bud vase.
It deserves a bowl all of it's own... right? I am (of course!) talking about these spectacular little sweet peas called King Tut. Not much else is needed. But add a cute little...
