Bioplastic Flowers

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Since we discovered bioplastic, it has opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities. This is one of the easiest, most versatile methods to create lasting artworks.

This project is suitable for artists as young as two, although the young ones will need lots of help handling the hot bioplastic mixture.

To create your own bioplastic flowers, you will need just a few ingredients.

Materials

• Gelatin powder
• Boiling water
• Sticks
• Food color
• A large plastic surface (we used the lid of a plastic storage box)
• Optional add ins: glitter, loose parts from nature, ribbon or string, sequins

Instructions

1. Collect thin sticks from nature with your little artist.
2. Arrange the sticks a few inches apart on top of the plastic surface. Arrange loose parts around the sticks if you are adding them.
3. Create your bioplastic mixture using one part gelatin powder to four parts boiling water. Color the mixture.
4. Pour mixture out freeform onto the top of each stick to form the “flowers”.
5. Wait 24-48 hours for the bioplastic to completely harden. It will curl and change as it hardens. I think this is beautiful, especially as it adds to the “flowery” nature of this project. if you want the bioplastic to stay flat you may experiment with weighing them down as they set.

I took the flowers off the lid as soon as they were firm enough to gently pick up because I wanted to encourage the material to curl and change.

This is such a fun, simple process with limitless possibilities for add ins. I hope you have time to try it out with (or even without!) your little artists soon.

If you like this process, make sure to try making bioplastic suncatchers next!