Upcycling

For my final project for this semester I chose to upcycle a few materials; old scarves, beads and wires. My idea was inspired by my old child care centre where we learnt how to make paper mache balloons.

I'd like to share my steps with you all:

Pot:

1. Unravel scarves.

2. Blow up balloons to size.

3. Wrap and secure yarn all around the balloon and then spray the adhesive mixture evenly(I used corn flour mixed with flour as the adhesive mixture , suprisingly rice flour has really interesting behaviours in hot and cold water, but it corn flour stuck better and dried tonnes faster. )

4. Depending on the weather, if the weather's sunny, the balloon will shrivel up dry in half a day. If not, it will take 48 hours to dry (room temperature). Take balloon out.

5. Cut out the lid and pot.

Base Plate:

1. Solder the wires together.

2. Decorate.

I had to make a base plate for the pots because their round surfaces won't help them stay up. So buy snuggling the 3 pots together in the base, they are kept upright and the lid won't slip off.

Important: only dry foods or objects can be put in the pots. If water has contact with the dried starch, it mixes with the starch again and deforms the shape of the sphere. But that can be overcomed by blowing a balloon back inside and let to dry.

The materials and techniques are safe and fun to interact with. You should try making them with your family or friends, because I did. And it was memorable!