My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Willow birdcage

Weave three wreaths (two big and one smaller) from pliable willow twigs.

Weave three wreaths (two big and one smaller) from pliable willow twigs. Follow the link of my website for more detailed instructions on how to weave or manipulate twigs.

Tie four twigs across the bottom of one wreath

Tie four twigs across the bottom of one wreath. This is the base of the birdcage.

Tie in eight longer willow twigs to the sides

Tie in eight longer willow twigs to the sides.

Tie those longer willow twigs to the second wreath.

Tie those longer willow twigs to the second wreath.

Weave a pliable willow stem with a fork in it’s twigs through the last and smallest wreath.

Weave a pliable willow stem with a fork in its twigs through the last and smallest wreath.

Weave the smaller wreath to fit on the top, open ended wreath.

Weave the smaller wreath to fit on the top, open ended wreath. Use pliable twigs to secure the lid.

Add more pliable willow twigs all round the birdcage to secure all the twigs and to create a wild and natural look.

Add more pliable willow twigs all round the birdcage to secure all the twigs and to create a wild and natural look.

Wiggle the stems to make sure it is secure.

Wiggle the stems to make sure it is secure.

Once the cage is secure add a few decorative willow stems, fake snow, sparkling beads and the fresh flowers and vines.

Once the cage is secure add a few decorative willow stems, fake snow, sparkling beads and the fresh flowers and vines.

The last step is to add the rings

The last step is to add the rings. Hang them from a ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half, wrap it around a twig and secure with a small drop of glue so that it is easy to remove.

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

Tutorials

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

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 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...

24 May 2017 Designing an odd one out wreath

Adding floral material to a wreath design

24 May 2017 Chain link wreath weaving

Weave a few small wreaths to connect

11 February 2015 Willow Heart Wand

28 January 2015 Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave

Weave a sprouting armature

25 January 2012 Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

12 July 2017 Twig sparkler

Glue twigs to radiate out from a central point

29 July 2015 Disk Twig Armature

Glue a few wigs to follow the shape of a glass bowl to create a disk armature

Favourite Flowers

Oncidium

Dancing lady

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Ceropegia woodii

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

Related Designs

14 March 2018 Old, new trends

My article and willow birdcage design for wedding rings featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.

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

18 April 2018 Swing Vine

Weave a delicate vine swing to nestle a small vase with spring flowers in

11 March 2020 On-Spring-dium

A almost impossibly delicate oncidium (dancing lady) orchid wreath.

26 January 2022 Carry On

As sturdy as it is delicate basket made from off-cut stems and grass.

19 April 2023 Short Cut

A tiny carry basket to gather the shortest stems from your cutting garden... with a place for water and your cutters.

24 January 2024 I mean… really!?!

Using fresh twigs to bind a little twig platform to suspend the beautiful orchids from.

6 March 2024 A Stay Open

Grow a willow birdcage... with a bit of a Spring flower support to get it started.

20 January 2011 The last Vine Wreath

Every designer knows how to stretch their supplies. We use and re-use our dried plant material until our fellow designers feel like hiding it from us. I formed such an...

24 May 2017 Link

weave a few wreaths to link

11 February 2015 Love Spell

Weave willow to create a heart shaped wand design

28 January 2015 In a State of Flow

weave some willow to use as an armature

30 July 2014 See you around

Weave a few spheres to create a simple design

17 August 2016 Strangeness

Weave a wreath to display air plants on

25 January 2012 Three Drops of Floral Chocolate

The design drips down in three tiers each celebrating life, love and connection.

12 July 2017 Sparkler

A radiating twig design

29 July 2015 Beautiful Things

Glue a few twigs into a disk armature

6 April 2016 Take it for a Spin

Make a clear grid to suspend plant material on