Use newspaper to weave a decorative toadstool
It's official... I am now hooked on weaving with newspaper. Having just completed my first two paper weaving projects using newspapers I can't wait to get stuck into the next project. In the meantime, I will be posting a selection of simple projects that anyone can try and that will build up weaving skills in preparation for more advanced paper weaving projects.
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Roll out 8 paper tubes. In each of the tubes slip in a thin piece of wire. The wire will help shape the toadstool as you move onto the curved areas.
Start off by using pairs of tubes to create a woven square, as shown left.
Join together 2 lengths of tube and bend in half. Wrap this around one of the pairs and proceed to wrap and twist.
Now it's time to place the starting weave for the project on top of a round bowl. Use a bowl that will be the same size as the size of the woven toadstool you want to make. Continue to wrap and twist the paper tubes around.
At this point you can decide whether to continue working this way, or turn the bowl the other way. The wire in the tubes helps to hold them in place as you work, so it's a matter of preference.
Once the 'cap' of the toadstool is finished, you can remove from the bowl and bend the paper tubes in towards the centre to form the base of the toadstool.
Continue to weave and twist the underside of the cap as shown.
Turn the base, make sure that the paper tubes are bent to the correct shape. There is a gentle curve outwards from the underside of the 'cap' that straightens out as it reaches the bottom.
Because the base is narrower than the top cap it's necessary to work the tubes in pairs as shown.
Here's a close up of the weaving on the base of the toadstool. You can see the weave and twist details, and also how the base curves from the top to bottom. The bottom is open but you need to stop at a point where the toadstool will stand on its own.
To finish off your toadstool paint the base with Plascon Velvaglo and the top with Plascon Woodcare Ultra in teak. Both of these will provide strength and add protection. However, you shouldn't leave outdoors.