My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Tutorials

Stringing pearls
16 May 2012
Stringing pearls

Long blades of thin grass or ripped flax are ideal for stringing decorative beads
Mikado Reed drop shaped nest
16 May 2012
Mikado Reed drop shaped nest

A sturdy shape made by binding Mikado reeds keeps the thin strands of flax in place.
Nestled grass pebble
8 May 2012
Nestled grass pebble

Weave a grass pebble for flowers to nestle in
Cinderella Spiral Pumpkin from Midelino Cane Coils
1 May 2012
Cinderella Spiral Pumpkin from Midelino Cane Coils

Tie Midelino Cane coils to make a spiral armature
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar
25 April 2012
A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar

"Plaid" and "braid" are synonyms, and where you are from will most likely dictate whether you use plait (British) or braid (American or Celtic). Some people also refer to cornrows as braids or refer to pinned up plaits as braids. A French braid is a braiding technique.
Floral Fridge magnet in a nutshell
19 April 2012
Floral Fridge magnet in a nutshell

Tuck one half of a corsage magnet in a nutshell before designing to create a floral fridge magnet
Staining Midelino cane Coils
13 April 2012
Staining Midelino cane Coils

White Midelino cane is easy to stain in any colour
Drying Mushrooms for Floral Art
13 April 2012
Drying Mushrooms for Floral Art

I use edible mushrooms in my designs. To preserve them I press a tiny stake into the base and let them air-dry.
A secret trick to conditioning new growth
13 April 2012
A secret trick to conditioning new growth

Conditioning new growth and sprouts are difficult because the little sprouts have not had time to fully develop its cellular structure to survive being cut and taking up water on its own. The cells will collapse within hours from severing and the beautiful new growth will wilt looking limp in your design. But new growth looks so fantastic and it is always tempting to try to include it.
Just Hatched Papier Mache Easter Eggs
7 April 2012
Just Hatched Papier Mache Easter Eggs

Glue newsprint paper to balloons to make large egg shaped containers to design in
A Neighbor friendly way to deflate a balloon
7 April 2012
A Neighbor friendly way to deflate a balloon

Apart from avoiding the noise popping a balloon makes this is also a less violent way to deflate a balloon when you make Papier Mache items
Paste and cut Wooden Feathers
7 April 2012
Paste and cut Wooden Feathers

Wood glue makes wood veneer or Kyogi paper soft and playable to make feathers with