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DIY Delightful Dragonfly

The art studio was filled with mini maker exhibits and recognition ceremonies as ALL six-week workshops wrapped up last week!  We celebrated our fifth exhibit, an end of the week highlight, hosting a FIRST FRIDAY “kid at heART exhibit” showcasing my 88-year-old grandfather, Bob Fadely aka Papa Bob, and his very first art exhibit ~ COLORING IN COLORFUL COLORADO!  Megan Tackett, an incredibly talented and enthusiastic writer, captured my grandfather in both a delightful article in The Sopris Sun and live interview on KDNK!  After it was all said and done, my most genuine Grandfather shared with me, “Last week was one of the BEST weeks of my life!”  “Art  (without a doubt) washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  – Pablo Picasso

As springtime unfolds the outdoors become artfully alive!  Dragonflies always mesmerize with their stealthy speed, shimmery color, intricate detail, and pattern on point.  They lead us to our favorite outdoor places and spaces, including rivers, ponds, and lakes. Spring into a simple process upcycling household goods to create a bountiful + beautiful ~ DIY Delightful Dragonfly dreamed up in the HANDMAKERY art studio!  Simply take a peek!

Check out our ~ DIY Delightful Dragonfly in the Mountain Parent online or in print!  Mountain Parent ~ April – June is hot off the press and available at all your favorite locations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley!  It’s such a wonderful resource for families.  We’re so fortunate to have Lauren Suhrbier and Kathryn Camp leading the way on this beautiful + local + FREE publication!  We’re thrilled to collaborate on our first DIY for this fantastic magazine!  Pick up your copy, link into this marvelous mountain magazine, and take flight into our process, creating colorful + creative creatures with children!

SUPPLIES:

  • Cardboard tube (paper towel length)
  • Cereal box (large)
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Bubble wrap (small and big bubbles)
  • Tempera paints (3-4 colors)
  • Paintbrush or foam brush
  • Plastic lids (2 pairs)
  • Aqua glass gems (2)
  • Hot glue stick and hot glue gun (adult use)
  • Embellishments: Glitter sticky foam sheets, sticky rhinestones, and even shiny pipe cleaners

PROCESS:

ONE  Collect all supplies and prepare a space to create.  

TWO  Gently flatten one cardboard tube (paper towel length) and sketch a simple dragonfly body with a head, thorax, and long abdomen with a pencil.  Cut with scissors, keeping lower half connected to provide a more 3D body.

THREE  Open a large cereal box.  On the plain cardboard side of the box, sketch one upper wing and one lower wing.  Cut out and trace so you have two of each.

FOUR  Paint a base coat using a solid color on the body (interior and exterior) and on all four wings (plain cardboard side).  Dry.

FIVE  Paint bubble wrap with a sponge brush.  Press painted wrap onto all four wings.  Dry. Repeat this process with 2-3 different colors and different sizes of bubble wrap. Dry between layers.  Using metallic paints are a fantastic addition!

SIX  Dazzle body with stripes using glitter sticky foam and decorate wings with sticky rhinestones.  Be sure to glue sticky rhinestones as they don’t always adhere well without glue.

SEVEN  Layer plastic lids to form eyes, small lids inside large lid.  Keep eyes symmetrical.  Hot glue. You may also add an aqua glass gem to eye center.  Helpful hint:  Hot glue a small circle of flat foam to the gem bottom so it adheres when glued to plastic.

EIGHT  Simply bend a flap on the end of each wing to attach to the body with hot glue.  Hold in place to dry.  Reinforce with additional hot glue.  Name your dragonfly to personalize your creation!  Please note:  We created our DIY Delightful Dragonflies in approximately a two-hour timeframe with children ages 8-11-years-old!  Attaching the wings to the body may take a little extra love + hot glue patience!

A few fun + simple dragonfly facts:
  • Dragonflies are insects with long bodies, transparent wings, and large eyes.
  • They have a head, thorax, six legs, and a long segmented abdomen.
  • The dragonfly is a great flyer.  They can hover, fly incredibly fast, and even fly backward.
  • Their speed can reach 30 miles per hour.
  • Dragonflies are incredibly colorful- red, yellow, green and blue.
  • Size ranges from half an inch to five inches long.
  • Dragonflies are carnivores and eat other insects, including mosquitos and gnats.
  • They have been around for 300 million years.
  • They don’t sting or bite.

Tag us @handmakery with your creations on Instagram!  Would love to see your big-eyed + winged creature ~ DIY Delightful Dragonfly!  Follow our BLOG for more inspiring process-based art projects!  As always, thank you for following along on an artful adventure in downtown + beautiful Carbondale | CO located at 449 Main Street!  Send us a note or contact us anytime at hello@handmakery.com!  Much love!  xo Ami

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