Monthly Archives: March 2015

Art That Flies: Fall Mobile!

Art That Flies: Fall Mobile!

HOW TO MAKE MOBILES:

What is a mobile? A mobile is a construction made up of lightweight parts suspended by threads that are attached to fine wires.

Now take the banner designs and use them to make mobiles. See how they change when you go from a flat design to a three-dimensional design. Scroll down to the Fall Banner tutorial below this info.

MATERIALS

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the mobile designs:

Scissors

Wire, sticks, pencils, etc for arms

Compass

Thread, light and heavy weight

Poster board

Colored pencils and pens

Glue

Felt

Pencil and ruler

Recyclable materials

Tracing paper

Whole puncher (optional)

ADDITIONAL STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Making a circle and a cone:

Technique #1: use a round object and trace.

Technique #2: Use a pencil compass to allow you to make a large or small circle. To find the diameter, measure circle from one edge through the center to the opposite side.

Technique #3: Cut out a circle. Cut out a section like a slice of a pie, from the edge to the center. Remove the section. Bring one edge over to the other side. Glue the overlapped edge. The larger the section you cut out, the taller and thinner to cone.

Technique #4: How to attach a thread: Thread objects by using a large needle. Push the needle through the shape at the balancing point and pull the thread until a small length is left. Then make a knot at the top of the shape. Cut off excess thread. When attaching the thread to the wire, tie it tightly.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holz, Loretta. Mobiles You Can Make. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Company, 1965.

Zubrowski, Bernie. Mobiles: Building and Experimenting with Balancing Toys. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1993.

 

Fall Mobile

Fall Mobile

 

FALL MOBILE

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: ½ hour – 1 hour

MATERIALS:

Construction paper or Fun Foam in 5 colors for fall: red, yellow, orange, brown, green

2 dowel rods cut to 12” each

Ball of jute or string or wire

Eraser/ Pencil

Hole puncher (optional)

Scissors

Tacky glue or glue stick

Or preserve and use real leaves: http://www.ehow.com/how_2068272_preserve-fall-leaf.html

1. Ask an adult to cut the dowel rods so that you have two. Cross them in the middle and tie them tightly with a piece of string or jute or wire. Cut another piece to tie on each end when hanging the mobile. Lay aside.

2. Select Fun Foam or construction paper in fall colors: orange, yellow and brown. Dark red, purple and dark green also work well for autumn themes. Trace and cut the leaf patterns from the fall banner project. Cut two leaves for each leaf shape. Vary the sizes for more interesting results.

3. Cut pieces of thread 12” long and even longer depending on how many leaves you will hang. If you are using thread, double it. Lay the thread on the leaves leaving space between them. Vary the amount of space between the leaves or arrange the leaves so that they point in different directions. Apply glue to the back of the leaves.

4. Take the second leaf and attach it to the back of the first leaf hiding the string or wire. Or thread the needle through a single leaf with the needle and make a loop. Tie the ends.

5. Hang the leaves from the dowel rods balancing the mobile. Tie a piece of string, jute or wire and tie to the ends of the dowel rods. Hang it up and see the mobile move.

6. Does your sculpture move? What makes it move? How is this design different from the banner design? Can you list the differences? Can you list the similarities? What is the difference between attaching the leaves on the mobile and attaching the leaves on the banner? What makes the leaves on the mobile three-dimensional?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MAKING ADVANCED MOBILES

How to make wire arms: Make loops on the ends. This will make it easier to tie on shapes. Use needle-nose pliers and wire with a gauge of 14, 1, 18 or 20. Cut the wire to the desired length and bend until it is slightly curved. This will make the objects look more graceful as they balance from the wire. The curve also makes them look more graceful as they move in the air.

How to make a smooth curve: Grip one end of the wire with one hand and gently pull its length between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, bending as you pull.

How to make a loop: Grasp the end or the wire with the needle-nose pliers. Hold the wire as you twist to form a circle. If you are tying on the objects, close the circle completely. If you are slipping on a loop into the circle, leave it slightly open. Close the loops when finishing the mobile.. Hold the wire so that the eyelets or circles are on the under side of the arm when attaching the shapes to the mobile.

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Art That Flies: Summer is Fun! Mobile

Art That Flies: Summer is Fun! Mobile

HOW TO MAKE MOBILES

What is a mobile? A mobile is a construction whose lightweight parts are suspended by threads attached to fine wires or rods.

Now take the banner designs and use them to make mobiles. See how they change when you go from a flat design to a three-dimensional design.

Follow the tutorial below and try your hand at making mobiles!

MATERIALS

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the mobile designs:

Scissors

Wire, sticks, pencils, and the like, for arms

Compass

Thread, light and heavy weight

Poster board

Colored pencils and pens

Glue

Felt

Pencil and ruler

Recyclable materials

Tracing paper

Whole puncher (optional)

ADDITIONAL STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Making a circle and a cone:

Technique #1: use a round object and trace.

Technique #2: Use a pencil compass to allow you to make a large or small circle. To find the diameter, measure circle from one edge through the center to the opposite side.

Technique #3: Cut out a circle. Cut out a section like a slice of a pie, from the edge to the center. Remove the section. Bring one edge over to the other side. Glue the overlapped edge. The larger the section you cut out, the taller and thinner to cone.

Technique #4: How to attach a thread: Thread objects by using a large needle. Push the needle through the shape at the balancing point and pull the thread until a small length is left. Then make a knot at the top of the shape. Cut off excess thread. When attaching the thread to the wire, tie it tightly.

 

Summer Moblie

Summer Mobile

 

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: ½ hour – 1 hour

MATERIALS:

White felt square 36”x 36”

Orange Fun Foam

Yellow Fun Foam

White Fun Foam

Beige Fun Foam

Turquoise Fun Foam

Black Fun Foam

Moss

Black marker

 

1. Using the patterns provided, trace and cut the sun from the yellow Fun Foam, the pail from the orange Fun Foam, the shell from the beige fun Foam, the shovel from the turquoise Fun Foam, and all four colors of Fun Foam for the ball. Finally, cut the sunglasses from the black Fun Foam. You don’t have to use all the patterns from the banners project.

2. Take a small amount of moss and glue it on the top of the pail. Press down firmly while it dries.

3. Use a black marker to draw the sun’s cheeks, smile and nose. If you are using the shell pattern, sketch a few lines on it to make it look three-dimensional. Also, spell out “Summer Is Fun!”

4. Cut two dowel rods. Tie a piece of string, jute or wire around the middle of the two dowel rods to secure them. Then, lace a piece of string, thread, jute, or wire 6” to 8” in length through the hole at the top of each shape. Tie the shapes to the dowel rods.

5. To balance the mobile, place two or more shapes to each dowel rod and be sure that some of the shapes hang lower (or higher) than some of the others. Cut a string long enough to tie on either end of the dowel rods for hanging.

6. Does your sculpture move? What makes it move? How is this design different from the banner design? Can you list the differences? Can you list the similarities? What is the difference between attaching the leaves on the mobile and attaching the leaves on the banner? What makes the leaves on the mobile three-dimensional and the leaves on the banner two-dimensional?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MAKING ADVANCED MOBILES

How to make wire arms: Make loops on the ends. This will make it easier to tie on shapes. Use needle-nose pliers and wire with a gauge of 14, 1, 18 or 20. Cut the wire to the desired length and bent until it is slightly curved. This will make the objects look more graceful as they balance from the wire. The curve also makes them look more graceful as they move in the air.

How to make a smooth curve: Grip one end of the wire with one hand and gently pull its length between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, bending as you pull.

How to make a loop: Grasp the end or the wire with the needle-nose pliers. Hold the wire as you twist to form a circle. If you are tying on the objects, close the circle completely. If you are slipping on a loop into the circle, leave it slightly open. Complete the mobile and close the loops.  Hold the wire so that the eyelets or circles are on the under side of the arm when attaching the shapes to the mobile.

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Art That Flies: Spring is Here! Mobile

Art That Flies: Spring is Here! Mobile

HOW TO MAKE MOBILES

What is a mobile? A mobile is a construction made up of lightweight parts suspended by threads that attached to fine wires.

Now take the banner designs and use them to make mobiles. See how they change when you go from a flat design to a three-dimensional design. (See the tutorial below the following information.)

MATERIALS

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the mobile designs:

Scissors

Wire, sticks, pencils, etc for arms

Compass

Thread, light and heavy weight

Poster board

Colored pencils and pens

Glue

Felt

Pencil and ruler

Recyclable materials

Tracing paper

Whole puncher (optional)

ADDITIONAL STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Making a circle and a cone:

Technique #1: use a round object and trace.

Technique #2: Use a pencil compass to allow you to make a large or small circle. To find the diameter, measure circle from one edge through the center to the opposite side.

Technique #3: Cut out a circle. Cut out a section like a slice of a pie, from the edge to the center. Remove the section. Bring one edge over to the other side. Glue the overlapped edge. The larger the section you cut out, the taller and thinner to cone.

Technique #4: How to attach a thread: Thread objects by using a large needle. Push the needle through the shape at the balancing point and pull the thread until a small length is left. Then make a knot at the top of the shape. Cut off excess thread. When attaching the thread to the wire, tie it tightly.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holz, Loretta. Mobiles You Can Make. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Company, 1965.

Zubrowski, Bernie. Mobiles: Building and Experimenting with Balancing Toys. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1993.

Spring Mobile

Spring Mobil

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: ½ hour – 1 hour

MATERIALS:

Construction paper or Fun Foam in 4 pastel colors

Eraser/ Pencil

One dowel rods cut to 12”

Tacky glue or glue stick

Patterns from the Banners project

Hole puncher

Ball of jute or string or wire

Scissors

1. Ask an adult to cut the dowel rods so that you have two. Cross them in the middle and tie them tightly with a piece of string or jute or wire. Lay aside.

2. Select the paper or Fun Foam or use the two materials together. Trace and cut shapes from the patterns used for the Spring Is Here! Banner. Vary the sizes of the flowers. Add a yellow circle for the center of the daisy.

3. Poke a hole near the top of the paper or Fun Foam shapes with a pencil or use a hole puncher. Then, lace a piece of string or jute or wire 6” to 8” in length through the hole at the top of each shape. Poke a hole at the bottom of the flowers and have some of them cascade. Tie the shapes to the dowel rods. To balance the mobile (sometimes called making the mobile level), place two or more shapes on each dowel rod and be sure that some of the shapes hang lower (or higher) than some of the others. Ask an adult for help if you need it.

4. Tie a piece of string in the middle of the two dowel rods for hanging. Does your sculpture move? What makes it move? How is this design different from the banner design? What are the differences? What are the similarities?

VARIATION: Instead of using dowel rods, dangle the strings from a clothes hanger. Vary the lengths and hang from an area where vibrations and the wind can make the dangling objects move.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MAKING ADVANCED MOBILES

How to make wire arms: Make loops on the ends. This will make it easier to tie on shapes.  It is best to use needle-nose pliers and wire with a gauge of 14, 1, 18 or 20. Cut the wire to the desired length and bend until it is slightly curved. This will make the objects look more graceful as they balance from the wire. The curve also makes them look more graceful as they move in the air.

How to make a smooth curve: Grip one end of the wire with one hand and gently pull its length between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, bending as you pull.

How to make a loop: Grasp the end or the wire with the needle-nose pliers. Hold the wire as you twist to form a circle. If you are tying on the objects, close the circle completely. If you are slipping on a loop into the circle, leave it slightly open. Close the loops when the mobile is complete. Hold the wire so that the eyelets or circles are on the under side of the arm when attaching the shapes to the mobile.

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Banner Designs: Fall Banner

Banner Designs: Fall Banner

WHAT IS A BANNER?

A banner is a piece of cloth suspended between two poles and often bearing a design, symbol or slogan. Banners can celebrate the seasons, holidays or bear slogans. The designs in this series of Art Tutorials celebrate summer, spring, winter and fall.

(For the first tutorial, the Fall Banner, scroll down.)

MATERIALS

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the banner designs:

Yardstick iron/ironing board (optional) string

Ball point pen or marker scissors tacky glue

Dowel rods Fun Foam pencil/eraser

Poster board felt or fabric squares paper towels

*Unless indicated otherwise, all felt squares should measure 9” x 12” and all sheets of Fun Foam measure 12’ x 18”.

STUFF TO KNOW

How to copy a pattern: Trace a pattern or object by placing tracing paper on its surface and tracing the design with a pencil. Turn the tracing paper over and blacken the reverse side. Then flip the tracing paper original side up again. Lay the tracing paper on the surface you want the design to transfer on to and trace the outline of the design.

Cutting a Square:

Technique #1: Measure with a ruler the desired size of the square. Draw the outline of the square.

Technique #2: Hold the paper flat and bring the top right corner down to the left edge. Then fold the paper so the edges  line up on the left side. Cut off the extra strip of paper and unfold the square.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holz, Loretta. Mobiles You Can Make. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Company, 1965

Zubrowski, Bernie. Mobiles: Building and Experimenting with Balancing Toys. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1993.

Constantinides, Marion. Banners! (Unpublished)

 

FALL BANNER

Fall Banner Design

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: ½ hour – 1 hour

MATERIALS:

Yellow felt 36” x 36”

Burgundy felt square

Beige or Brown felt square

Orange felt square

Green felt square

1. Measure and trim yellow felt to 14” x 20”. Holding the felt vertically, fold a 1” seam. Iron. Fold a second 1” seam. Iron again. Glue down with tacky glue. Let dry. This is where you will insert the dowel rod.

2. Using the patterns provided, cut one dark red, one green, and one orange leaf from the two large patterns. Do the same for the two small leaf patterns. Arrange on the yellow felt background in a random pattern (as if the leaves are falling from a tree.)

3. Trace and cut two acorns from the beige Fun Foam. Arrange on the banner. Using a black marker or pain, draw a cross hatch pattern at the top of the acorns. Draw vines down the centers of the leaves, too.

4. Glue the pieces with tacky glue.

5. Cut the dowel rod to about 16” – 18”. Insert through the top loop. Cut the string to a length suitable for hanging. Tie a knot at each end of the dowel rod. Your fall banner is ready to hang in your room!

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Banner Designs: Winter Banner

Banner Designs: Winter Banner

WHAT IS A BANNER?

A banner is a piece of cloth suspended between two poles and often bearing a design, symbol or slogan. Banners can celebrate the seasons, holidays or bear slogans. The designs in this series of Art Tutorials celebrate summer, spring, winter and fall.

(For the first tutorial, the Winter Banner, scroll down.)

MATERIALS

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the banner designs:

Yardstick iron/ironing board (optional) string

Ball point pen or marker scissors tacky glue

Dowel rods Fun Foam pencil/eraser

Poster board felt or fabric squares paper towels

*Unless indicated otherwise, all felt squares should measure 9” x 12” and all sheets of Fun Foam measure 12’ x 18”.

STUFF TO KNOW

How to copy a pattern: Trace a pattern or object by placing tracing paper on its surface and tracing the design with a pencil. Turn the tracing paper over and blacken the reverse side. Then flip the tracing paper original side up again. Lay the tracing paper on the surface you want the design to transfer on to and trace the outline of the design.

Cutting a Square:

Technique #1: Measure with a ruler the desired size of the square.. Draw the outline of the square.

Technique #2: Hold the paper flat and bring the top right corner down to the left edge. Then fold the paper so the edges line up on the left side. Cut off the extra strip of paper and unfold the square.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holz, Loretta. Mobiles You Can Make. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Company, 1965

Zubrowski, Bernie. Mobiles: Building and Experimenting with Balancing Toys. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1993.

Constantinides, Marion. Banners! (Unpublished)

WINTER BANNER

Winter Banner Desgin

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: ½ hour – 1 hour

MATERIALS:

Blue felt square 36” x 36”

Black Fun Foam

Black Marker

White Fun Foam

Brown Fun Foam

Silver glitter pen

Blue Fun Foam

Orange Fun Foam

Red Fun Foam
1. Measure and trim blue felt square to 14” x 20”. Place felt vertically. Measure and fold a 1” seam at the top. Iron. Fold a second 1” seam. Iron and glue the second fold. (You will be inserting the dowel rod through this loop.)

2. Using the patterns provided, trace and cut two large, two medium, and two small circles from the white Fun Foam. Glue these pieces to the blue background towards the center of the material.

3. Trace and cut the following:

The snow woman’s scarf and beret from the red Fun Foam

The snowman’s and snow woman’s noses from the orange Fun Foam

The snow woman’s buttons from the blue Fun Foam

The snowman’s hat, pipe and buttons from the black Fun Foam

The snowman’s scarf from the brown Fun Foam

4. Glue these pieces.

5. Make snowflakes and dots to show the mouths with the glitter pen. Draw sticks to show the hands.

6. Trim the dowel rod to about 16” – 18”. Insert dowel rod through the loop. Cut the string to a length suitable for hanging and tie to each end of the dowel rod. Hang from a window, door or wall.

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