How would you construct a large (floor to almost ceiling) paper mache flower for a little girls room? What would you use for petals and the stem? Help!
I've successfuly built many theater props with rags, soaked in 1/2 white glue and 1/2 water. Lay them flat on brown paper grocery bags that are cut and layed flat. After it's dry, you can easily cut petals and leaves with sissors and paint with acrylic paint. Holding them together, I think hot glue should be the best. I'd use bamboo for the stem.
for the stem, get one of those long "noodle" things they sell to play with in swimming pools. use an electric carving knife to cut a long slit the full length of the noodle and about half way deep diameter-wise. cut the hook ends off a few wire hangers and straighten them out. put the straightened wires into the channel you've cut into the noodle. this alows the stem to be flexible. you could even add an extension cord into the channel so you could add christmas lights if you want. for the petals and leaves, also take wire hangers-- but this time, leave the hook end on. straighten out the hook end so it can be stuck into the noodle to anchor it to the "stem." you can shape the opening of the hanger into any shape leaves or petals you like (i.e., diamond, round, heart-shaped, irregular, etc.)you'll probably have to use masking tape to stablize some of the parts. you can also use masking tape to fill in the petals and leaves before you paper mache over the whole thing and paint it.
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