My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Wreath-Rim a Vase with sparkling foxtail and twigs

Measure out a foxtail fern so that it can wrap all the way around the opening of a small vase

Measure out a foxtail fern so that it can wrap all the way around the opening of a small vase.

Strip the fern so that you can place the stem in water

Strip the fern so that you can place the stem in water. Place the stem at an angle and secure with a drop of hot glue to the vase.

Design note: I always use hot glue when I secure things to vases because it is so easy to remove. Simply soak the container and the glue will pop off. But this also means you have to be sure the container is completely dry where you want to use the glue to secure something. So make sure it is above the waterline.

Gently curve the stem to wrap around the opening of the vase

Gently curve the stem to wrap around the opening of the vase. And secure it with the smallest drop of hot glue.

Be careful not to snap the fern. You want a pretty curve. Book readers turn to page 284 where we discuss manipulating plant material.
I have also included a Tutorial below this post to get you started.

For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Start adding a few dew drop crystals to the foxtail fern to make it look like a sparkling Christmas wreath. I explain how I position these crystals in more detail in our email this week. Make sure you are signed up to receive your tip each Wednesday, the moment the design is ready for you. The sign up is below this post.

Nestle a pretty twig over the opening of the vase so that it is kept in place by the foxtail fern

Nestle a pretty twig over the opening of the vase so that it is kept in place by the foxtail fern.

Place the orchid so that it is kept in place by the horizontal twig

Place the orchid so that it is kept in place by the horizontal twig.

Tie a ribbon to the bell to add to the design

Tie a ribbon to the bell to add to the design.

Design note: This bell is from Swarovski. And is very special to me... so I wanted to make extra sure it is secure.

Glue a twig to the outside of the vase to peek out from the fern wreath

Glue a twig to the outside of the vase to peek out from the fern wreath...

Glue in a second twig to the outside of the vase

Glue in a second twig to the outside of the vase

So that the bell hangs from the sturdy twig but is also slightly propped up by the first twig

So that the bell hangs from the sturdy twig but is also slightly propped up by the first twig taking some of the weight so that there is not so much strain on the twigs.

Design note: The foxtail fern lasts for weeks. This way you can place your design somewhere to enjoy and replace the flower as needed. The dried twigs will not rot standing in the water because it is secured on the outside of the vase and the design will also not have to be redone if you want to replace the water.

Pick up the colour from the orchid with a few autumn leaves

Pick up the colour from the orchid with a few autumn leaves to finish the design.

I wanted my design to say: late autumn... early Christmas. So I added the autumn leaves and left out the dusting of snow that I usually add to bare twigs when Christmas designing.

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

Tutorials

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

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...

29 July 2020 Foxtail in a bud vase forest floor

Create a sturdy platform from bark to design an entire forest floor on a single foxtail fern frond

16 December 2020 Cardboard base for a roasting-by-an-open-fire fishbowl vase snow globe

… ideal for fresh floral displays because it has a hidden water source that can be refilled and the candle can be switched on and off without disturbing the design.

2 January 2019 Eucalyptus tinsel garland

Wire seeded Eucalyptus into a long tinsel garland.

2 December 2015 Silver bell Christmas Greenery kissing ball

Use delicate sprigs of cypress or juniper, fir, pine, eucalyptus, ivy or a combination of them all to create a winter themed kissing bough

6 March 2019 Snow puddle armature

Connect twigs with puddles of artificial snow to craft a winter armature for your flowers.

2 December 2020 Lost and found snow mittens

Artificial snow covered cardboard mittens to add to a winter themed design.

9 May 2018 Incise waxy Gardenia foliage to decorate the edge of a container

Cut a small wedge out of a stack of waxy leaves to keep the flower and twig in place.

26 August 2020 Create a tighter fit with pebbles so that you can wedge a twig securely into a vase

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...

25 August 2011 Placing orchids in test tubes

Cut the Phalaenopsis orchid with a bit of green stem attached. This will make them last longer.

24 April 2019 Balance a cake stand lid on it’s side to create a leaning design

Suspend a flower for an unusual but minimalist design over a leaning container lid.

30 August 2017 Standing a water tube at an angle in lumber

Create a minimal design by placing a single flower on a platform

Favourite Flowers

Cymbidium

Cymbidium, Boat Orchid

Related Designs

17 November 2021 Ringing in A Very Merry Traditional Christmas… Tradition

A more than just a hint of Christmas tradition design... in a pre-Christmas design.

9 December 2015 On a Grand Scale

My article and a floral panel design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine

23 May 2018 In Summer!

A contemporary cascade of rosary vine and dried petals.

29 July 2020 Tail end of the story

Craft a bark platform to design on in a foxtail fern frond.

16 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Snow Globe

...ok not really that fancy- it’s paper pulp. Cardboard boxes, really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered. This week...

2 January 2019 One New Year’s Wish

Wire a sparkling tinsel garland to dress up a single, elegant Arum lily.

2 December 2015 Stacking the odds in your favour

Cover a wire frame for a winter kissing bough.

6 March 2019 It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright

2 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box snow mittens… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

3 January 2018 Happy Coincidence!

Some designs really do just make themselves. I received this tiny vase for Christmas from Marius (thank you, Marius!) and while cleaning out my design room I found this little...

9 May 2018 What is the meaning of this?

Create a minimal design with a few leaves to keep is all upright.

16 September 2020 The circle of making new things:

A wreath armature design for early Autumn... this takes the split armature Tutorial I showed you last month a little bit further.

26 August 2020 It starts with WHY

Add design elements that serves a purpose for a minimal summer inspired floral design.

24 April 2019 Put aside

Urgh… my glass cake stand broke leaving me with a still beautiful, but now mismatched and extremely inspirational lid...

30 August 2017 If

Place a water tube at an angle in lumber so that the Zantedeschia float just above the base to show off the delicate grass snippets scattered up the stem