Ingredients
- 2 empty 16.9-fluid-ounce plastic water bottles, clear and clean
- 1 sheet of 120-grit sandpaper, cut into a 3-by-4-inch piece
- 1 sheet of 220-grit sandpaper, cut into a 3-by-4-inch piece
- 4 fluid ounces of outdoor-rated acrylic paint, divided among 2 or 3 colors
- 2 fluid ounces of white acrylic paint for eyes and details
- 1 fluid ounce of black acrylic paint for eye centers and lines
- 1 small bottle of outdoor water-based clear sealer, about 4 fluid ounces
- 24 inches of 18-gauge craft wire for antennae and hanging loops
- 48 inches of 1/4-inch-wide outdoor ribbon, cut into 4 pieces 12 inches long
- 8 small plastic or wooden beads, about 1/4 inch wide, optional
- 1 standard pair of sharp craft scissors
- 1 craft knife with a fresh blade
- 1 self-healing cutting mat, at least 12 by 18 inches
- 1 fine-tip permanent marker, any dark color
- 1 low-temperature hot glue gun and 3 glue sticks, or a strong flexible craft adhesive
- 1 disposable foam brush, 1 inch wide
- 1 small paintbrush, about 1/4 inch wide
- 1 small cup containing 2 fluid ounces of clean water for rinsing brushes
- 1 drop cloth or opened paper grocery bag, about 24 by 36 inches
- 1 pair of cut-resistant craft gloves, optional but helpful
- 1 pair of safety glasses
Instructions
- Wash both bottles with warm soapy water, remove the labels, and rinse them well. Let them air-dry completely.
- Place one dry bottle on the cutting mat and mark a line around it about 3 inches below the neck and a second line about 2 inches above the bottom.
- Use the craft knife to make a small starter opening on the marked line, keeping the blade pointed toward the mat and away from your hand. Switch to scissors once the opening is large enough.
- Cut each bottle section lengthwise from one opening to the other so it opens into a curved sheet. Trim away the stiff neck and base edges.
- Draw two rounded wing shapes on each plastic sheet with the marker. Each dragonfly needs four wings, so make the upper pair about 5 inches long and the lower pair about 4 inches long.
- Cut out the four wings for one dragonfly, then repeat for the second. Round every outside corner.
- Sand the cut edges first with 120 grit, then with 220 grit.
- Paint the wings and the narrow body pieces with a thin coat of outdoor acrylic paint. Leave the center strip of each sheet unpainted if you want the plastic to catch the light. Let it dry for 2 hours before adding a second thin coat.
- Bend the 24-inch wire into four 6-inch pieces. Use two pieces for each dragonfly, twisting one around the center strip to create antennae and a hanging loop.
- Paint two small white eye circles on each body, then add black centers after the white paint feels dry.
- Arrange two larger wings above and two smaller wings below each body, with about 1/2 inch of overlap at the center. Secure the layers with a low-temperature hot glue gun.
- Tie one 12-inch ribbon to each lower wing or to the center wire, making four ribbon tails per dragonfly. Trim the ribbon ends at an angle.
- Brush on one very light coat of outdoor clear sealer, keeping the brush strokes gentle. Let the finished dragonflies dry flat for 24 hours, then hang them from the wire loops in a sheltered outdoor spot.
Notes
Children can help with washing bottles, tracing wings, painting, and tying ribbons with adult supervision. Use outdoor sealer in real airflow, preferably outside or in an open garage.
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
