BENGALURU: We have heard a great deal about decor using paper plates, cups , bowls, and the likes. Now, small leaf bowls used mostly for religious rituals and temple prasadam can also be used for similar crafts.
A jelly fish decor for a party is an example. It can brighten up a corner or simply adorn a window. It does not take much effort. What you need to keep in mind is about the kind of colours you would want to show in the the end. Make up your mind about whether you want a classic look, a fun look, or simple look.
What you need for the project:
■ Leaf bowls, used or new. If used, make sure to wipe their insides clean
■ A needle to poke hole in its centre
■ Wool of two or three different colours
■ Craft glue in plenty
■ Some twine or thick decorative thread
■ A wooden ring, about one inch thick or old tiny bangles
■ A pair of scissors
■ Keep some burlap or jute cloth, chenille stems, etc, if need be
■ Gift wrap tissue paper or kite paper of two or three different colours
If your leaf bowl is a used one, start off by wiping it clean. Poke a hole in its centre using a large needle. Use a pen or sharp pencil to widen the hole a little. Now turn the cup for its inside to show.
Squeeze a dot of glue about an inch off the poked centre. And use your finger to knudge the wool thread to form a little circle. Drop more glue on it. Cut the thread at about one feet. Use your fingers to knudge and stick more such wool pieces.
You can use some kite paper or gift wrap tissue paper in narrow strips, about one fourth of an inch wide. Fold them in their centre, give each strip a little bend, glue it first between the folds and then on to the bowl, alongside the wool ends that were stuck.
Use more strips. Let this lot of glued in strips and bits dry. Use the cold setting on a hair dryer to dry it quicker. After this, grab a small wooden ring, tie a piece of twine or thick decorative thread, and insert it from the inside of the bowl. Knot the inserted thread to firm it up. Instead of kite paper you may also use satin ribbon.
Tie up the ends of the left-over thread, and let it hang from a window corner, or hanging hook.