Introduction: HOME DECOR: ANTHURIUM ANDRAEANUM MADE OF AIR-DRY CLAY

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About: I am an aspiring writer from the Philippines and it is my dream to publish a book---to bring light to my readers and to inspire many other aspirants through my works. I make crafts and share them here to enhan…

Ornamental plants are becoming human's therapist in a stressful work environment. They are now seen inside homes and offices. Today, we can also have our jobs done inside our houses and it is always more relaxing to see elements that will make our mood better.

The plant Anthurium andraeanum or otherwise known as the flamingo flower in Greek is a perennial plant that we can easily put on top of our work tables. Their presence is believed to be healthy: they are good air-purifiers because they absorb pollutants such as viruses present in the air, they are helpful stress relievers because they ease our emotions and they are also oxygen providers. Furthermore, they improve the aesthetics of the place's interior. They add beauty and style to the room which would tickle our senses to become work-driven.

However, research also tells us that it can be poisonous when eaten by humans, as well as pets like dogs and cats.

Fortunately, there is a remedy for our tables to look more creative and stunning by using artificial materials to copy the structure of the plant. Air-dry clay or polymer clay can be a solution to carve a ravishing table decor instead of displaying a real plant.

Making an Anthurium plant out of clay saves us time and maintenance costs. We no longer need to check on the plant and water it everyday, plus it lasts longer than the actual plant. It can exist for years! We can have a one-time expense for the supplies needed to create our own version.

Supplies

•Air-dry clay (Php 8.00x5pcs.) = Php 40.00
Colors:
-Orange
-Pink
-Red
-White
-Yellow
•Barbeque stick (recycled)
•Black Marker = Php 12.00
•Cup = Php 12.00
•Glue = Php 12.00
•Green colored paper (Php 2.00x2pcs.) = Php 8.00
•Paper scraps (free)
•Silver pen = Php 5.00
•Scissor = Php 15.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: PHP 107.00

*Note:
Since black marker, glue, and scissor can be used several times, their prices listed above are not their actual cost accumulated to finish the project. Therefore, the amount indicated as total expenditure is just an estimation. We can spend more or less than Php 107.00 to craft our own Anthurium plant at home.

HERE IS A SIMPLE WAY TO CRAFT A LOVELY TABLE DECORATION USING AIR-DRY CLAY:

Step 1: HAVE ALL THE SUPPLIES IN PLACE

Bring out all the materials mentioned above and make sure they can be easily picked whenever they are needed.

Step 2: MAKE THE LEAVES

Get the scissor and a piece of colored paper then divide it into four. Fold a 1/4 part of the paper then cut a heart-shaped leaf out of it. Repeat the process with the other strips until the appropriate number of leaves is achieved. It would be better if we make 5-6 pieces of leaves to occupy a small-size cup.

Draw the pattern of the leaves using the silver-ink pen for the linings to be noticeable.

Step 3: GET THE VASE READY

Cut the excess parts of the colored paper into tiny pieces to fill in the inside of the cup until it is 0.5 inch before the ream of the cup.

To add more appeal to its exterior, write a word, a phrase, or a statement on its surface using the black marker.

Step 4: STUFF THE LEAVES INSIDE THE VASE

Use the barbeque sticks to make stems. Use several thin, vertical strips of the green colored paper to make a cover for the sticks. Have them glued onto the barbeque sticks until every part of each stick becomes green.

Gather the leaves into the vase, make sure that they are connected firmly with their stems or what is called the penduncle in a real Anthurium plant.

*Note:
Make various stems for the leaves and the flowers.

Step 5: MOLD ANTHURIUM FLOWERS FROM THE CLAY

First, get a piece of stem and pinch a small amount of clay then shape it into a cylindrical tail---the centermost part of the plant. It can only be an inch long unlike the live spadix of the living plant which measures 5-9 inches in length. Join the molded clay with the upper edge of the stem. Make use of orange and red clay for this part.

Create a heart-shaped leaf for the flower to be completed. This part of the plant is called the spathe. Attach the white or yellow clay directly behind the spadix. See to it that they look identical with the Anthurium andraeanum flower.

Step 6: PUT THE FLOWERS TOGETHER WITH THE LEAVES

Be gentle in putting the stemmed flowers into the middle portion of the vase. See to it that they are properly arranged. After which, leave it in an open space where air can pass through. Ta-da! The craft is almost done.

Step 7: DISPLAY THE FINISHED PRODUCT

It takes atleast 24 hours for the clay to harden. When the clay flowers totally dry, move the whole thing to a tabletop or anywhere it can be visible.

We made it!
See, it is light and easy as can be.

©2023 by ISHAN

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