Thursday 17 March 2011

hot air balloon mobile



I saw this small but beautiful Alexander Calder exhibition recently and thought about making some kinetic art of my own. My head is still full of hot air balloons so: a hot air balloon mobile.

Also, chicken pox is currently raging though my house, so we are spending a lot of time at home. Therefore it had to something for (spotty) small and big hands to make together.



I wanted to make a mobile with five balloons flying around. I drew out a shape for the template and cut out ten on some thin card, one pair for each balloon. 



Then we drew on the balloons, cutting and sticking and having a fine time. I used some Japanese washi paper from my stash and glued it with a glue stick to the balloons. Each pair was done in the same way.





Then, I folded each balloon down the middle. Using a sewing needle and thread I sewed the pair together spine to spine.



Two pieces of galvanised steel gardening wire was bent around a skewer to make loops for the thread. Tying the balloons into the loops the mobile was complete.





With great joy I discovered this beautiful Swedish photography blog recently. Hilda has found a brilliant way to Help Japan.








5 comments:

  1. Such gorgeous balloons. Great idea. The photography link is fantastic. Thanks for sharing it.

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  2. This is one of those rare activities that celebrates the process as well as the product. They're just beautiful, Miriam. I hope you all feel better soon. xo

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  3. Whatever happened to that BEAUTIFUL jumbo-jet mobile you made? I loved that. Get well soon, B-Gs.

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  4. May the pox be gone very soon. I was thinking how kites and windmills are some of my favourite things. Hot air balloons, and especiclly the ones in this mobile will definitely be added to the list.

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  5. I love this idea!! i think I will have to try it!

    Hope the poxies are better soon - we were there this time last year!

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