There are few things in life that make me happier than Diet Coke–one of them is world peace, the other one is craft foam.
I can’t get enough of it.
No idea why they didn’t have this stuff when I was a kid, but it’s probably a good thing since I would have spent my childhood locked in a room making King Arthur style craft foam costumes for the cat.
Lucky for Lola, I am now a mature adult (questionable) and enough to resist making costumes for my cat (that’s a lie); however, I cannot resist buying the dollar packets of foam “fun shapes” whenever I see them. I have built up quite a collection. Looks like Heather has this same problem because the stash buster box she sent me was full of foam.
!!!JACKPOT!!!
Craft foam has a million different uses, but I had been thinking about using it to make a lamp for a friend’s munchkin for sometime now….and since I am an official participant (fancy!) in the Dollar Store Craft’s April stash busting challenge, no time like the present, right? Right.
Let’s get started.
Materials
- 2 plastic strawberry baskets (if your market no longer uses plastic baskets you can also purchase a construction site light cage at most hardware stores)
- Foam shapes or scraps cut down to random 2” pieces (make it educational for the kids and play “Spot the Rhombus”)
- Pipe cleaners
- Plastic straws cut into 1-2” pieces
- Chord light kit with 20watt light bulb (Totally optional. This bad boy looks good without the light too.)
Process is super simple but highly repetitive. Approach this the same way as you would string a necklace.
String = pipe cleaners.Beads = foam shapesSpacers = plastic straws
Try to use your largest shape at the bottom –this will eventually help to conceal the strawberry basket.
Make sure to leave the bottom 1” of the pipe cleaner exposed.
After loading 40 or so pipe cleaners, twist and attach the bottom inch on to the strawberry cage.
Complete by using a piece of pipe cleaner to hinge together the two cages. Ta Da, that’s it!
Sort of looks like the introduction to Pee Wee’s Playhouse, no?
Suppose it also sort of looks like a Hebrew Dinosaur explosion. With polka dots. And hearts.
Yeah, I think I’ll stick to calling it the Pee Wee’s Playhouse Pendant Lamp.
It’s easier that way.
Note: If you’re keen on doing some stash busting of your own, check back on Monday, April 25. I have something you might be interested in….
A. Maze. Ing. This is way prettier than it has any right to be, given the materials! You have worked a crafty magic trick with this one, I love it!
“Hebrew Dinosaur Explosion.” Now THAT is a band name!
Wow…I ♥ it. What a creation. I adore the fact you don’t shy away from colour….at all!! You are a very clever – hurrah! Oh…I want it by the way ;-p
Fabulous! Just letting you know I linked to your easter eggs with tissue paper + parley today {such a fab recipe for messy goodness}! Wishing you a wonderful crafty easter weekend!
xo Mary Jo
Very clever! :]
Uh oh! Crafty hotness is the word of the day!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
((nasal Pee Wee giggle))
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. You are uh-maz-ing, happy Easter!
this is AWESOME!!!!! makes me grin 🙂
thea.
xx
(spoonfulzine)
Wow. All I can say is: Wow. I am blown away by the ingenuity and intricacy of this craft project. And I completely agree with you: Craft foam rocks. It makes many people in our office deliriously happy!
Hebrew Dinosaur Explosion would have been a great name for the project–total rock band material, as Michelle L. said–but I’m very fond of the moniker Pee Wee’s Playhouse Pendant Lamp. Reminds me of my childhood spent glued to the TV. (I also grew up without the fun benefit of craft foam.)
No wonder we all are amazed at your creations! what a beautiful mind youi’ve got to come up with this stuff!! you’re genius!
WOW! Talk about showing up late for the fair! I JUST read your terrific entry about Neil Diamond being there for all of your life highlights. Sorry it took me so long! My point (and like Ellen – I DO have one) is this, has Mr. Diamond responded to you at all about this wonderful essay? I hope someone in their right mind showed it to him. Your writing is spot-on hysterical and whenever you decide to write a book I’ll be one of the first in line to buy it!