string me...

Hello my wonderful friends!

Is anyone else feeling a bit frazzled by everything that needs to be done by the end of the year? My cure.... Do something fun and messy. =)

*this is fair warning.... I'm serious when I say messy!*

I learned how to make string lanterns a while ago, but never quite got a tutorial made. (I admit, I was slightly anxious about taking pictures with goopy hands!)  But this week, I say bring on the MESS!  I guess it's just been one of those rebellious weeks. LOL!

Step 1: If you are anything like me, may I suggest you protect your work area and your clothes.  We won't talk about the dried goock on my shirt.... =)

Step 2: Make your paste... In a bowl mix:

1/2 cup White glue

1/2 cup Corn starch

1/4 cup Warm water

Stir until it is smooth. This may take some time. Cornstarch doesn't really like to mix. Be persistent!

Step 3: Inflate a balloon and suspend it over your work space. I simply put a board across two plastic shelves and tied the balloon on.  Creating a clothesline between chairs also works if you have the space.

Step 4:  Generously smear Vaseline over the whole balloon. This is very important! This is what will allow you to remove the balloon later.

Step 5: Soak a length of string in your paste. (I use pearl cotton) Don't cut the string, just dip in sections at a time as needed to avoid tangling. Trust me, it isn't fun to untangle knotted string dripping with paste!

Step 6: As you pull out your string, squeeze it between your first finger and your thumb to remove excess glop. You will be continually doing this through out, so it start getting messy.... Especially if you start going fast and your string flips and sends droplets of impending mess all over!

yeah...

Step 7: Start wrapping the string randomly around the balloon. You want to overlap, and wrap from all different angles. The more the strings cross, the stronger the lantern will be.

Step 8: Repeat steps 5-7 until your balloon is covered in criss-crossing string.

*Note: if you want to insert something into your lantern, don't cover all the way up to the knot of the balloon. Leave an open area.

Step 9: Let hang 12-24 hrs.  Don't try to rush it with heat, it will weaken the paste.

Step 10: Your string should be nice and hard now... so go ahead and pop the balloon!

Step 11: Carefully pull out the balloon.  This is why the Vaseline is so important!

Step 12: If you have areas of dried paste between the strings, use a paper piercer or other sharp narrow instrument to scrape it out.

Step 13: Paint with your favorite Creative Inspirations paint!  This will not only give it color, it gives it a pearly shimmer!  So beautiful!  The one above is Silver Frost, and is kinda hard to see since it is such a light color, so...

How about a little Rose Quartz?  Yup, it's awful purdy!

These can be set out on a table or in a bowl for a beautiful accent, or thread a string through it and hang it up! So elegant!

Or...

Stuff it full of twinkly lights! This looks beautiful in the day and the night! Can you imagine a Christmas tree with glowing string lanterns in it???

Enjoy!

~Kassi