While temperatures in the Philadelphia area may be below freezing, there is no reason you can’t start thinking spring indoors. Bring in some of your favorite springtime elements by creating a few dogwood blooms out of plastic spoons and a few small beads. These lifelike flowers could be used to create an unexpected design feature above a window or on any wall in your home.
The process is simple and takes only a few minutes per flower. However, the results are amazing and can be used for many different design projects throughout your home.
What you will need
- Plastic spoons (pink or white for realistic flowers)
- Candle
- Hot glue gun
- Small green and yellow beads
Get started by setting up your supplies in a well-ventilated area (either outside or near an open window or kitchen vent). Although you’ll only be heating the spoons for a few seconds each, it’s probably best to minimize any fumes that could occur during the melting process. Also, this process should only be done by an adult.
Once you’ve lit the candle, select four spoons (one for each petal of the flower). To form the petals, take one spoon at a time and hold it approximately two inches above the flame. It only takes a few seconds for the end of the spoon to begin to curl. Once it does, immediately move it away from the flame and shape the ends with your fingers. Note: The plastic should only be slightly warm to the touch during this process. Set the spoon aside to cool while you continue with the other three. Note: If you are not completely happy with the shape of the petal you can repeat the process using the same spoon or try again with a new one.
Once you’ve formed all four petals, you’ll need to remove the handles from the spoons. Simply return the spoon to the candle and heat the handle on the curve where it meets the bowl of the spoon. Once the plastic seems slightly bendable, remove the spoon from the flame and simply stretch the handle until it separates from the end of the spoon (similar to pulling taffy). Set the handle aside (it won’t be needed for this project) and flatten the separated end of the spoon using your thumb and finger.
Once you’ve removed all four handles, you are ready to assemble your flower. To join the petals together, start by heating the separated flattened ends of two spoons at once. Again, this should only take a few seconds, and as soon as you see the plastic beginning to move, take both pieces away from the flame. Join the two ends together by overlapping and pressing them firmly together. Repeat this process with the remaining two petals and then join the final two pieces together by heating and pressing together in a cross shape.
You now have your completed flower base and are ready to embellish the flower’s center using a few beads and some hot glue. Once fully assembled, use these lifelike flowers to create a unique wall mural above a window, or anywhere else you would like to add a bit of springtime to your home.
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