Monday, April 6, 2009

Egg Molding



Hello makers, Hendrix and I acquired some water balloons and craft thread after a Michaels trip last week. At home we already had some liquid starch and a craft bowl so we decided to mold some colorful eggs as a springtime decoration. This is how we did it:



We cut the craft thread into long strands and then soaked the strands into a craft bowl full of liquid starch. In the meantime we blew up some water balloons.



Next we wrapped the starched thread around the balloons in a crisscrossing pattern covering the balloon. (We used 10 yards per balloon or one whole skein of floss).



After the wrapping of 7 balloons in 7 different spring time colors we* set aside to dry overnight.



The next day, once thoroughly dry, we popped the balloons (Hendrix loved this part). As you can see, the thread kept it’s egg shape.



We then hung up the egg in one of our home entry ways. If the weather permits, this would also make a cute outdoor decoration for Easter Sunday or a springtime party.

*By “we” I mean “me.” I retired Hendrix from this project when he found more interest in swinging the dripping, starched thread in circles overhead…by about the third egg. Therefore, I would say this is a preschooler or older project.

19 comments:

  1. Where do you get liquid starch? Cute project! I can't wait to try it.

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  2. This is so awesome! i just tried it and it worked! yay!!!!!!!

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  3. Hannah, you can get the starch pretty much anywhere. I think I got mine at target...i'm sure walmart would have some.

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  4. I wonder if this is how they made those string art swag lamps in the 60's. Any idea how this all reacts to heat like from a low watage light bulb? Cute project!

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  5. LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Jennifer,
    You could most likely use these with a string of LED lights, like the LED Christmas lights. They're SUPER low heat, but could look really cool. We've got a string that looks like little baby pinecones, for example.

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  7. These are beautiful! Will have to give them a go next Easter!

    Thanks for the wonderful idea!

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  8. Great idea, so simple, fun and yet really lovely :)

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  9. I love this. I've always wanted to try with Christmas ornaments making something like this, I had no idea liquid starch was the magic ingredient. Thanks!

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  10. I like this more every time I see it. I keep coming back to this page, hehe. Thank you so much for sharing~!

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  11. AnonymousJune 26, 2009

    what if it rains?

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  12. HA...well, if it rains they get wet. They are for indoors or for sunny outdoor celebrations.

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  13. AnonymousJuly 07, 2009

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  14. Can't wait to try this! I wonder where I will find liquid starch, however? Hmmm. Oh! Target?!

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  15. So i tried this and woke up this morning, they felt dry, I popped the balloon and it fell apart. Any suggestions? :(

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  16. Salina-
    hmmm...well, if the string was totally dry I don't see why it would fall apart. Sometimes the outside of the thread is dry to the touch but the inside is still damp. You can set a fan near your creations to help speed up the drying process.

    Do you think your string was fully saturated in the starch solution? If the string doesn't get a good dunk it might not hold well (you should be able to handle these without worrying the whole thing will collapse).

    What kind of string did you use? If the string is too heavy it might have a harder time holding up. Also, If you had a super thick layer of threading you may have the same problem (you might need more starch and more drying time if the layer is thick). I used a cotton craft thread for mine:
    http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Craft-Thread-36-Skeins-Variegated/dp/B000AE64YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290276637&sr=8-1
    but I have also had positive results using kite string.

    The only other thing I can think of is maybe your starch is bad? I don't know if this is even possible but it might be worth checking to see if there is an expiration date on the bottle. Make sure to give the starch a good shake before pouring in into a bowl too.

    Oh man, I hope this helps. Write me again if you have any other questions or you can email me: gnat[dot]anderson[at]gmail.com

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  17. I just love this craft idea! I included a link to your blog on my Tutorial Tuesday Easter Edition post today. Thanks so much for sharing!

    http://erraticallyelizabeth.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-tuesdays.html

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  18. I saw a similar project, and they mixed the liquid starch with flour. that might help.

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