Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Guacamole Green Coiled Grass Chameleon
- 17 July 2012
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For the head:
Roll a blade of grass around a thin dowel, pencil or straw to start the coil. Secure with a tiny drop of glue.
Coil the grass around the loop. Spiral the coil out as the blade of grass gets thicker. Secure with a drop of glue.
Loosely coil the grass to shape the head.
Glue the end of the blade of grass flat.
For the tail:
Tightly curl the tapered end of a blade of grass around a wooden skewer. Stretch the grass slightly to secure the curl.
Carefully unwind the grass from the skewer without releasing the curl
The tail curl will also unwind slightly while you make the rest of the chameleon
With the curl facing up, fold the blade of grass over and secure the fold with glue.
In the middle point of the first fold, fold the blade of grass under and secure the second fold with glue
Roll the grass to cover the fold lines. Secure the coil with glue.
For the body:
Coil the grass to shape the body of the chameleon.
Press the firm stem part of the grass through the coil. This creates a support for the tail to prevent it from wilting as the grass dries.
Add another blade of grass and continue to shape the body
Glue the tapered end of a new blade of grass over the support tail stem.
Wrap this blade of grass over the coiled body to create a second layer of coils.
Tuck the end piece of the grass in to the body and secure with glue
Glue the head to the body.
For the eyes:
Coil a blade of grass tightly around a wooden skewer.
Secure the end with glue.
Carefully pull the skewer out.
Roll a second eye.
Glue the eyes.
For the legs:
Cut four pieces of grass from the stem side.
Give the stem a knee fold and then a foot fold. I found it easiest to add a tiny drop of glue inside the bend crease to secure the fold exactly how I want it.
Fold two more stems for front legs.
Split the stems at the foot section to create claws
Glue the legs to the Guacamole Green Coiled Grass Chameleon.
For the tongue:
Coil a thin blade of grass tightly around a wooden skewer. Stretch the grass slightly as you roll. This will set the curl in the grass.
Glue the tongue and roll it out slightly.
The grass will dry in place and the chameleon will actually get more character as it matures.
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