Tea Light Snowflakes

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950322009130716236.post-73643213067810656272008-01-10T12:47:00.000-08:002008-04-11T11:09:05.424-07:00Tea Light SnowflakesThe new year is always a time of beginnings and resolutions. I have been becoming increasingly aware of the impact we have on the environment and the amount of waste we generate. In 2007 I began to use recycled materials almost exclusively in the bookmaking workshops I teach in schools and libraries. Since I have become more aware of the creative uses for things that were headed for the trash or the recycling bin, I find myself looking at things with fresh eyes to see what else they can become. In 2008 I am extending my creative use of household waste in new directions. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fnG4FGXuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/9wXlTH5h-RY/s1600-h/IMG_2189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fnG4FGXuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/9wXlTH5h-RY/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154342403867827938" /></a> When I went to replace the burnt candles on the Christmas mantle, I was struck by a discouraging thought. These candles are wasteful. For that little bit of wax, I have a small metal container to dispose of. Before I even had a chance to see if they would be able to go in our recycling bin, I had an inspiration. Snow has been on my mind as of late as we have had lots this winter. The metal containers would make wonderful snowflakes! MAKING THE SNOWFLAKES <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fuJYFGX1I/AAAAAAAAAZg/flOxaboxgLA/s1600-h/make1a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fuJYFGX1I/AAAAAAAAAZg/flOxaboxgLA/s320/make1a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154350143398895442" /></a>Because snowflakes are hexagonal, cut the sides into six equal parts. I find it easiest to use one pair of opposing dots to determine where to make the first two cuts. Then I just judge by eye to cut each half into thirds. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fq2IFGX0I/AAAAAAAAAZY/HE3-K63cf80/s1600-h/make2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fq2IFGX0I/AAAAAAAAAZY/HE3-K63cf80/s200/make2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154346514151530306" /></a>The next cuts you make will start to design your snowflake. Snip a triangle or other shape away from the edge of each of the six parts. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fo7IFGXyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/GgNH9LuHEbk/s1600-h/%27make3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fo7IFGXyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/GgNH9LuHEbk/s200/%27make3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154344401027620642" /></a>Continue snipping away shapes until you have a snowflake you like. CAUTIONS 1. I do not recommend this as a project for children. 2. The edges of the snowflake are not particularly sharp, but the little bits of metal pieces can be. I did my snipping over a cardboard box so that the little pieces wouldn't go on the floor but a sweep or vacuum after is a good idea. 3. Because the metal is thin, it is easy to cut but not particularly sturdy so the finished snowflakes should be handled with care. SNOWFLAKE BOOK <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fwvIFGX2I/AAAAAAAAAZo/gEa9nWQJ9xg/s1600-h/SnowflakeTL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fwvIFGX2I/AAAAAAAAAZo/gEa9nWQJ9xg/s400/SnowflakeTL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154352990962212706" /></a>Because I spend much of time teaching and creating projects for making books with children, my first thought was to make a snowflake accordion book.You can find out how to make one on my <a href="http://makingbookswithchildren.blogspot.com/2008/01/snowflake-book.html">Making Books with Children blog</a>. Since I only wanted to make one book and I had lots more candles, I needed more ideas. IN A VASE <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fz6IFGX3I/AAAAAAAAAZw/UaLDiz6J8Fw/s1600-h/arrangement.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4fz6IFGX3I/AAAAAAAAAZw/UaLDiz6J8Fw/s400/arrangement.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154356478475657074" /></a>The vase has a cuttings from the red twig dogwood mixed in with pieris. The snowflakes are tucked in among the leaves. They could also be hung with wire. ON THE DOOR <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4f01oFGX4I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-i2Qq-T_Grc/s1600-h/IMG_2255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4f01oFGX4I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-i2Qq-T_Grc/s400/IMG_2255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154357500677873538" /></a>The snowflake is on a purple square cut from a gift box on a square cut from a Lindt chocolate wrapper on a square of cardboard wrapped with a mesh bag that contained red potatoes. I attached the snowflake through all the layers with wire and a push pin at the end. It was a little tricky but I felt it would be more secure than if I had used glue. IN THE WINDOW <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4f2UYFGX5I/AAAAAAAAAaA/6D8hlBm9po4/s1600-h/IMG_2269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4f2UYFGX5I/AAAAAAAAAaA/6D8hlBm9po4/s400/IMG_2269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154359128470478738" /></a>The snowflakes were strung on thread and hung in the window.Susan Kapuscinski Gaylordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10174952588173490738noreply@blogger.com