My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Tutorials

Fake real stems-ends for real fake branches
27 November 2019
Fake real stems-ends for real fake branches

Add a real stem to shorter artificial branches to incorporate them into a design.
How to make a just-picked-it-a-moment-ago snow covered icicle and mistletoe hanging branch bunch
27 November 2019
How to make a just-picked-it-a-moment-ago snow covered icicle and mistletoe hanging branch bunch

Gather a few branches to hang as a magical winter wonderland Christmas decoration.
Use wired faux elements to secure your design
20 November 2019
Use wired faux elements to secure your design

When you use wired branches they double as... well... wires to secure your other design details. This is such a quick and easy design solution!
Cracked ice, freshly fallen snow and fire... in a bud vase
20 November 2019
Cracked ice, freshly fallen snow and fire... in a bud vase

It looks like these candles are thoroughly snowed and iced in place but they actually rest just below the edge of a bud vase so that they can be taken out to switch the battery on and off when needed.
How to fake a blizzard in floral designs
13 November 2019
How to fake a blizzard in floral designs

Part of the charm of contemporary designing is adding elements to your work that create a story.
A tangle of ribbon instead of a bow for an unusual winter design
13 November 2019
A tangle of ribbon instead of a bow for an unusual winter design

I wanted my design to look more "found this way" than "designed this way" so I strategically tangled the ribbon to dangle down the design rather than tie it in a neat bow.
How to dress a shop bought artificial wreath to go from meh to: it looks so real!
13 November 2019
How to dress a shop bought artificial wreath to go from meh to: it looks so real!

Just a few adjustments can transform a boring artificial wreath into a high end looking designer decoration.
Fluff out and bend wired faux plant material
13 November 2019
Fluff out and bend wired faux plant material

With just a bit of extra effort you can give an artificial plant a bit of personality
Turn shop bought baubles into designer frosted snowballs
13 November 2019
Turn shop bought baubles into designer frosted snowballs

Brushing a shiny bauble with an almost dry brush with just a bit of paint on turns it into a beautiful almost antique snowball.
How to use artificial plants or faux plants to create beautiful and long lasting decorations without it looking tacky or... sad.
13 November 2019
How to use artificial plants or faux plants to create beautiful and long lasting decorations without it looking tacky or... sad.

What if you absolutely HAVE to decorate with faux plants? Here are my guiding rules when it comes to styling with permanent botanicals
Dancing fall leaves... on a stick
6 November 2019
Dancing fall leaves... on a stick

Spike fall leaves and water tubes to create a minimal radiating autumn display
Drying leaves to have the exact same curve
6 November 2019
Drying leaves to have the exact same curve

Threat a stack of leaves to dry so that they shrivel and dry up in a similar way.