Harvest time has arrived and all sorts of produce are ready for picking in fields and orchards. Some popular symbols of autumn are apples and pumpkins. Did you know that any vegetable with seeds can also be called a fruit? In the plant world, fruits are the protective covering that surround the seeds until they are ready to sprout. Make your very own harvest shakers inspired by apples and pumpkins to celebrate the season and all of its delicious bounty!
Supplies
- Balloons
- Scrap paper (newspaper works best)
- Glue
- Water
- Flour
- Rubber Bands
- Beads or dried beans for filling the shakers
- Aluminum foil
- Masking tape
- Bowl
- Paint
Instructions
Step 1: Prep your work surface. Use extra newspaper or a plastic table cloth to keep your space clean.
Step 2: Blow up your balloon so it’s about the size of an apple or small pumpkin. Don’t overfill it with air! Some squishiness is helpful. If making a pumpkin shaker, wrap rubber bands around the balloon to make grooves in the sides.
Step 3: Mix together glue, flour and water in a bowl. The mixture should be a bit runny so you can easily coat your paper pieces.
Step 4: Rip your scrap paper into strips and dip each into the glue mixture before placing it on the balloon.
Step 5: Cover your balloon with at least three layers of Paper Mache. Leave a small area of the balloon uncovered at either the top or bottom (this is for removing the balloon once dry).
Step 6: Once dry, pop the balloon with a pin or scissors and remove it from the mold. If you want your fruit to be a musical shaker, pour a few beads or beans inside now.
Step 7: To close up your fruit mold, form a piece of aluminum foil into a stem. Make sure the base of your stem is wide enough to fill the hole in your molded form. Use masking tape to attach the stem before covering it with a layer of papier-mâché.
Step 8: Once dry, now you can paint if you’d like, and enjoy your beautiful harvest shaker.
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