There have been a couple questions on the particulars of yarn/glue acorn making so here are a couple of tips based on my recent experience. First I wrapped the balloon entirely with one layer of yarn. For the first layer I thinned the Elmer’s with a little
water and painted it onto the balloon, and then the yarn, soaking it completely through. I let that dry over night ( this is by far the hardest part for me). For the second layer, balloon still in tact, I used the glue full strength, painting it on in small sections and pressing the yarn in so the surface stayed glue free an pretty. The second layer took most of the day to dry (agony, again, for me) then I popped the balloon, separated the sections with an exacto knife, and though it was sturdier than expected I reinforced the inside bottom, top and hinge point with a little wool felt. For kids I recommend thicker yarn than I used for the base.
Here’s the second layer in progress. It’s important that the balloon is still inside because the first layer softens again.
thank you!! i’m looking forward to giving it a try!!
How great! Thank you so much for sharing this. I have to go and get the supplies now… Once again you got me good!
This is so cool. Do you think you could use a bit of spray starch or stiffener in that first layer to help firm the fabric? Or would this be really nasty.
Thanks for the directions- I can’t wait to have a go at this. You are my new favorite blog-your ship is one of the most beautiful things I have seen in a long time. Oh, and the horses are fantastic!
Oh my goodness, camp Nyati
[...] I received this lovely little acorn in the mail on Saturday. Ann Wood created this for the Whiplash Yarn Challenge. She offered it up in a raffle and I was the lucky winner! Her original post and a follow up How To. The quality of her work is really phenomenal. Every piece of the construction is perfectly executed. What a treat to receive something so beautiful. No Oak trees in sight so it’s sitting pretty in a Vine Maple. I grew up in Missouri along with thousands of Oak trees. Having this little acorn in my studio conjures up very fond childhood memories of collecting and playing with these wonderfully perfect nuts. Thank you Ann! [...]