My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Up-cycle Styrofoam packaging to create a low pave design

It is not easy to find a place that can recycle polystyrene or Styrofoam, mostly because it is almost impossible to re-make it into high quality polystyrene. But it is really easy to find uses for the sheets you receive as packaging. Don't trash it. Re-purpose it!

You can either pin or glue the plant material to the Styrofoam shape. Pinning is best if you want to re-use the shape.

Styrofoam is also ideal if you want the design to float on water.

Cut sections of wire.

Press the wire into the foam to start a grid.

Continue to add and weave in wires.

Add wires to make a stable grid that will carry the weight of water filled test tubes and flowers.

Weave each wire over and under the previous wire to add support.

Styrofoam and wire grid.

Cut away any bumps or imperfections from the Styrofoam

Glue dried Eucalyptus leaves to the Styrofoam frame.

Test the glue you use to make sure it will be invisible. If you use hot glue make sure the glued area will be closed by the next leave to cover all heat burns.

Follow the natural curve of the eucalyptus leaves.

Overlap each leaf to cover the entire surface.

Create a harmonious pattern with the dried leaves.

Hang water filled test tubes to the grid and design.

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