Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Weaving a fan basket
- 21 July 2011
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To create a strong fan shape cut a circle out of cardboard. Fold in three to create a flat base. I made the front slightly lower than the back. The bottom is lined with Styrofoam because I will pierce the test tubes securely into the design (see last picture). Glue with wood glue and clamp to dry.
Start the weaving pattern by covering the front and back with long strips of Kyogi paper leaving the ends hanging loose
Create a decorative edge for the insides by weaving more strips. Secure the strips with wood glue. See how the fan shape shows even though the strips cover it?
Continue the weaving pattern on the sides to cover the styrofoam strip.
Place the lilies into water filled tubes. I used tubes with a sharp end which I pierced into the Styrofoam to secure each flower neatly in place.
Kyogi paper was historically used in Japan to wrap food – all natural, keeps the food from drying out, adds a subtle flavour and it can be composted to return to the crop-soil-cycle! It is pine (or cedar) wood that is shaved so thin it’s almost transparent. It can be wrapped, rolled, cut, stained, torn and easily glued.
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