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  • Butterfly Seed Ornament
    		•
    From "Crafters Coast to Coast"
    episode HCC2C-103F


    PHOTO
    Project by Steve Hess.

    Steve Hess used to teach art classes at a high school, where he'd have kids in detention help him shred papers for his papier-mache projects. He uses the paper pulp to make fun garden ornaments that are filled with seeds. After the ornaments are displayed for awhile, they can be broken up and planted in the ground.

    The same pulp used to make handmade paper can be used for casting too. It simply needs to have more of the water pressed from it making it suitable for paper casting.

    Materials:

    scrap/recycled paper
    water
    pails/containers
    blender
    molds and paper screen
    old cookie molds
    latex gloves
    sponge
    nonstick baking spray
    dry color pigment
    seeds
    fan
    craft knife
    50/50 glue/water mixture
    string for hanger

    Steps:

    1. To make the paper pulp: Tear up scrap/recycled paper into small 1/2-inch bits and soak over night in a large pail of hot water.

    2. Scoop a heaping cup of the soaked paper into blender jar and fill almost to the top with water. Blend the mixture until it becomes a smooth pulp.

    3. Pour the pulp into a large pail and continue this process until all of the soaked paper has been pulped.

    4. Wearing latex gloves, pour freshly made pulp from the blender into your paper screen and allow the water to run out.

    5. Press additional water from the remaining pulp until it has a clay-like consistency.

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    PHOTO

    Figure A
    6. Select a plaster mold (figure A). A mold for paper casting can be purchased ready-made from any craft store. Old cookie molds work well, too. Steve makes many of his own molds by sculpting a model from oil clay and casting it in plaster.

    PHOTO

    Figure B
    7. Prepare any mold you use by spraying it with nonstick baking spray (figure B). This will help to release the casting from the mold when it has dried.

    PHOTO

    Figure C
    8. Knead together a small amount of pulp, some dried color pigment and about 1/2 teaspoon of seeds (figure C).

    PHOTO

    Figure D
    9. Carefully press into mold, making certain to press the pulp mixture in tightly (figure D).

    10. Press with sponge to remove excess water.

    11. Place in front of electric fan to dry overnight.

    PHOTO

    Figure E
    12. Use a craft knife to carefully pry the dried casting from the mold. It should pop right out with a little nudging (figure E).

    PHOTO

    Figure F
    13. Give your casting a coating of the 50/50 glue water mixture. This will make it hard and strong (figure F).

    14. Glue a string hanger on the back of the ornament and finito! It is nice to prepare clever instructions for hanging the ornament and then later planting it in the garden if you give it as a gift.

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  		• Custom Photo Albums
  		• Handmade Paper Bowl
  		• Butterfly Seed Ornament
  		• Painted Wooden Jewelry Organizer