Scrap Flowers - Do It Yourself!

Scrap flowers for ScrapEden BRC can be made from anything reclaimed that you have on hand. Instructions here are just for inspiration! Please keep in mind that flowers to be planted in the BRC desert environment have to  be sturdy enough not to blow away in blustery conditions. Please make sure to read about the ScrapEden project so that you can understand how the flowers you are making will come together with other garden-inspired sculpture as part of this installation.

Tools and Materials

Step 1: Remove Top

The first stage of the process is removing the top. This is fairly easy and finish is unimportant.

With pliers, grab the thin aluminum at the can's mouth and twist the pliers. Continue until the metal is removed. Alternatively, wire cutters will work as well.

Step 2: Starting Petals

You'll want to use wire cutters to cut the top ring. For the most basic flower, you'll want to cut the ring in half inch intervals.

Step 3: Cutting Petals

Using scissors, continue cuts all the way to the base.

Step 4: Curling Petals

With the pliers held perpendicularly to the length of the aluminum petals, grab the end and twist so as to roll towards to bottom of the can. Coil tightly, as metal will spring back a little. Curl remaining petals.

Step 5: Repeat

To make the most basic flower, repeat with a second aluminum can. Place one can inside the other and arrange petals as desired.

Step 6: Puch a Hole

Place the two cans bottom up. Using a punch, a nail, screw (or other pointy thing) and a hammer, punch a small hole through the center of the cans.

Step 7: Making the Stem

Cut a length of wire to at least 4 inches longer than the length of the desired stem. Coil one end tightly until you have a coil considerable larger than the hole in the bottom of the cans. Thread the wire through the front of the flower. Cut a section of the garden hose to the desired length. Thread the wire through the section of hose. Coil the end wire sticking out of the bottom of the hose until the whole flower is very snug.

Now pat yourself on the back, your first flower is done!

Now get crazy with your next one!  Don't worry about messing up your flower, after all, what's the worst that can happen?

Even we pros (*snicker*) mess up from time to time!

Other Ideas:

Folded out and curled in.  Notice the stamen with the pretty red pull-tab.

Inspire others! Please send us photos of your creations. We'll post them here:
scrapedenbrc@blackrockarts.org