Starfish Bowl

Z Gallerie

I've been looking at this starfish bowl from the Z Gallerie for some time now, trying to figure out the best way to re-create it.  I first saw a picture of it posted by Sunny for her Great Glitzy Hack-Off. I just knew someone would make it, but no one did. I looked at the price of starfish at craft stores and they were way too expensive.  I could buy the bowl outright for what I probably would have to spend just to make it.

Then I read about Amanda's tutorial on making starfish and I knew this would  be the best way to go. I mentioned it to Amanda and she said it was a "brilliant" idea. Ha!  I had no idea what I was getting into.  You see, when I set out to make something I want it to be hurry up and over with.  I can't wait for the finish product.  I'm always thinking of "short-cuts" and have to remind myself to go step by step.  And that is what I had to do in attempting to make this bowl.  First, follow Amanda's instructions for making the toilet paper pulp.   

For the armature I used 20gauge floral stem wire and covered it with masking tape. I made the form as thin as possible.

 

Next, I tried applying the pulp to the 
form. I added gorilla glue to the mix hoping the pulp would stick better. What a mess!  Sorry, I didn't take a picture of me trying to "add" the pulp to the taped form, but my hands were very yucky.  The more I plopped the pulp on it, the more of a mess I made.  Nothing was sticking or working.

Then I decided to "roll" the pulp

between my floured hands and wrap it around the form.

I continue wrapping the armature with the pulp, shaping the starfish with my fingers. I then pressed lines and tiny round marks into the starfish to give it a bit more character.

 I was able to make fifteen starfish out of the pulp batch.  I placed them on a plastic container covered in saran wrap and put it outside in the heat.  I let the starfish dry for 24 hours, turning them over midway.

Next,  using Liquid Nails Glue and clamps, starting at the base, I began shaping the bowl.  This was a slow process.   I could only glue and clamp a few starfish at a time. The glue needed to "cure" for at least 24 hours.

I tried speeding the process up, but I didn't have enough clamps to keep the form secure. The glue had a 30 minute "set" time, but when I removed a clamp to use on another spot, the glued area would come apart.  It took me about four days to secure with the glue and clamps all of the starfish into a bowl form, and then, allowing it to dry completely.

I spray painted the bowl with a sealer, then hand painted it with Martha Stewart Metallic Silver paint I had on hand.  The Z Gallerie bowl is "a multitude of starfish linked to form an openwork bowl".  It is 11" x 3".

   My bowl is approximately, 111/2" x 4", and the starfish are linked to form a         "unique openwork bowl", too!

  That's pretty darn close I would say . . . . and to me, that's amazing!
                                                                                   ENJOY! 

    

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