You can order air dry clay online or buy it in a craft/art shop. I ordered a huge block but you only need a small amount for one Ikebana. For the mould I used some small glass bowls that I had in the cupboard.

First, line your bowl with cling film and start layering in the clay - not too thick, but too thin and it won’t be a solid structure.

Once the bowl is covered on the inside, dip your finger in some water and smooth out the clay. Use your thumbs to press out and break off any excess over the edge of the bowl if you want a cleaner edge.

Using two bowls that are the exact same size and shape, make two halves of an Ikebana.

Then, take one of your bowl shapes and use a pointy tool to make holes in the clay for your stems to sit in. You can make as many or as few as you like, but have a think about the size of the stems you want to place in your Ikebana.

This bowl will be used to hold your stems, and the water will sit in the bottom of the second bowl.

Leave the clay to dry off slightly in the bowl. I lifted mine out after 12hrs and peeled off the cling film – the clay will dry quicker without this attached. I love the imperfections in the clay, I want it to look like it has formed naturally after being exposed to all the elements!

Use some water to smooth out any potential sharp bits around the edges that may dry hard and sharp, but the lumps and bumps can stay for added texture.

The two halves will then need to be left to fully dry out. I left mine on a sunny shelf for a few days which increased drying time, but you can gently dry them with a hair dryer which speeds up the process.

When they are dry, they’ll be much paler in colour and won't feel cold to the touch. Then, you’re ready to paint and decorate!

First, I used an off white colour first and completely covered them. Then using a watered down (50/50 water and paint) taupe colour, I brushed loose but broad strokes all over – I wanted them to look hand-painted and natural! I finished with a darker taupe colour over the off white to add more texture and sealed with spray laquer in a gloss finish.

Using dried flowers that I had kept from a previous fresh bouquet, I placed them randomly using the holes in the top of the Ikebana to hold them in place. I made a few different ikebana’s using various shaped bowls I had in my kitchen, a different shape Ikebana for each of the lovely ladies on Mother’s Day!