The ornamental plants in the garden haven't grown as densely as you would like? No problem, our weatherproof giant butterflies are a great eye-catcher. They can be made quickly from clay and will keep you in a good mood all summer long.
How do you make weatherproof giant butterflies?
Weatherproof giant butterflies can be made from clay by forming butterfly wings and bodies, connecting them together, attaching them to a metal rod and then painting them with waterproof acrylic paints. The kneading concrete ensures stability and weather resistance.
What is kneading concrete?
This craft material is a ready-made mix that makes unusual creations with a modern concrete look possible. The flexible material can be processed like modeling clay, without a mold.
You can get ready-made mixes from creative specialist shops or you can get them from:
- Cement
- fine sand
- dishwashing liquid
- Water
make it yourself. Proceed as follows:
- In a bowl, mix equal parts sand and cement.
- Add 3 to 5 tablespoons of dish soap and a little water to this mixture.
- Mix until the kneading concrete has the desired consistency.
Material list:
- Solid drawing paper
- Kneaded concrete
- weatherproof acrylic paint
- stable wire
- 2 old, coated wooden panels
- wooden slats about 5 centimeters high
- Sticks to attach the butterflies.
- Sandpaper
- Gloves
Design butterflies:
- Draw the butterfly wings on the paper with your children.
- Oil wooden panels well.
- Apply a one to two centimeter thick layer of kneading concrete that is larger than the butterfly's wings on the panels.
- Peel off the surface.
- Place the paper template and cut out the butterfly's wings with a dull knife.
- Remove the paper, flatten and smooth the edges.
- Shape the butterfly body and head freely.
- Mix some kneading concrete very thinly and coat the wings and body with it.
- Now place the boards directly next to the body and support them with small wooden slats so that they lie at an angle.
- Let it dry for 24 hours.
- The body and wings should now be firmly connected, with the wings sticking out at a slight angle.
- Cover a metal rod with kneading concrete and attach it to the butterfly body with liquid concrete.
- Let it dry for another day.
- Then smooth with sandpaper and paint beautifully with waterproof acrylic paints.
Tip
You can use the same principle to make other animal shapes such as dragonflies, cats or rabbits together with your children. Alternatively, you may want to decorate your flower bed with hearts or circles painted with mandalas. Kneaded concrete is also very suitable for this. There are no limits to your imagination.