Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Willow nest roll that continues to grow for a Spring display
- 26 March 2025
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Craft an easy and long lasting willow nest that will continue to grow and root so that it can be planted out in your garden.
For the basic armature of the design I am using three dried wreaths...
... one stacked (and secured in place with a small dot of hot glue) on top of the other around a small sherry glass.
if you are unsure of how to make the wreaths see the Tutorial below.
The dried wreaths keep the growing willow in place. I am using fresh willow stems to craft the nest with and all the cut stem ends are pushed through the wreaths so that they are firmly held below the water to continue to hydrate and over the next few weeks these stems will be filled with fresh green growth.
Book readers turn to page 81 for a pretty twig carrier tutorial to bring your willow harvest in. It is so easy to do... and it looks pretty! For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Wrap the stem around and through the wreaths...
and for a bit of wildness (and movement) ... as if the birds are still building the nest leave the tip to extend.
Thread the next stem through the wreaths so that it is well hydrated. Notice the stems are not yet filled with leaves? I do this kind of design early in Spring so that I can weave the stems through the wreaths without risk of damaging any of the buds that will develop over the next few days in the design.
Thread through fresh willow stems to build up the nest.
Be generous with the tips that you leave... you will need some of it to weave over the orchids to finish off the design later on.
Roll the fresh stems around and around to shape the nest.
When you are happy with the basic nest shape add in a few sparkling dew drop crystals...
... and lightly glue in a few Easter chocolate chicks.
Top up the water every now and again while you wait for the willow new growth t appear.
Once you start to notice the new growth your armature is ready to design with. Slip the orchid stems through the armature so that it remains hydrated
This week in our email I tell you all about those orchid stems that need to reach so deep into the willow armature to remain hydrated. It is both a decorative and functional trick that we do when we cut the orchids from the spike. I send out an email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) the moment the new design is ready for you to view with a bonus tip to help you make the most of each week's inspiration. The sign up is below this post.
Finish off the design by trimming and weaving in and taming some of the willow tips to look like it is growing around the chicks and welcoming the orchids.
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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...
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Carefully manipulate and bend green willow stems to place in water to sprout as an armature for tulips to mature and open
Late winter flowering irises in a wreath armature
Easy to weave design that can hold your prettiest autumn design treasures.
This design takes a few weeks to make... but lasts a few weeks longer growing and evolving all on its own.
A prepare ahead armature design that relies on the strength of a heart shape.
Grow your own willow birdcage in a small pot to display Spring flowers in.
An all natural flower frog that adds to the design feel.
Curve and tie a blossoming twig into a heart... that can suspend a heavy flower head.
Favourite Flowers
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
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