Make a Carnation from a Plastic Egg Carton

Here is a carnation you can make yourself from a plastic egg carton. It's a creative way to recycle and decorate!

This is called "PET flower" "space flower (meaning translations)" respectively in Japan and Taiwan.

Steps

  1. Separate and cut each cup from a plastic egg carton.
  2. Cut each cup into quarters to make petals, and press the shape flat to open it up.
  3. Cut the end of each petal with pinking shears to make a zigzag edge.
  4. Make several more sets of petals in the same way.
  5. Make a hole in the center by a pressing a pin through from the inside.
  6. Make a Wire from a Plastic Bottle. Melt one end into a ball bigger than the pinhole made in the previous step. Use the fire of a lighter to make the ball. Sharpen the other end with a pair of scissors. (An example of the nylon material) In case of a PET is sparkling, and becomes black.
  7. Put the wire through the pinhole to hold the petal.
  8. Cut a plastic bottle into the shape shown. Use the plastic bottle to hold and shape each layer of petals with heat from a hair dryer or heat gun.
  9. Repeat the shaping process for all of the petals.
  10. Preview the shape of the assembled flower by stacking the layers of petals together.
  11. Make the accent color by drawing it on the outside with a permanent marker.
  12. Cut several short segments of a drinking straw.
  13. String the petals together on the wire with straws in between to separate them, as shown. You can slit the sides of the straws to make stringing easier.
  14. Hang this string and spray paint the outsides (tops) of the petals a lighter pink. You should have, in order, plastic egg carton, permanent marker, and spray paint.
  15. When the paint has dried, remove the straws and tighten the flower together. Put hot glue between the layers to hold them together if you need to.
  16. Attach the flower to a basket or box.



Tips

  • Put a bit of hot glue in the center of the flower, and sprinkle on some beads.
  • Make one for Mother's Day or for mothers to be. It is also symbolic, since an egg carton protects the eggs the way a mother protects her child.
  • You can also cut leaves from a plastic bottle. The video shows how to use a heat gun or hair dryer to curl the leaves.
  • Please confirm and use indication of "PETE". Click the image to enlarge.

Warnings

  • When making a ball at the end of the wire, be careful about the location of the flame.
  • Use a heat gun by 70 ℃ of setting. If you can't get that setting, use a hair dryer instead.
  • Ventilation is crucial when working with plastics and heat. Always be well prepared.
  • Be careful not to get burned by the hair dryer or lighter and heat gun.
  • Use hot glue and plastic glues safely.
  • When using plastics besides "PETE", the harmful smell sometimes goes out by heat. The physical properties are also different, so be careful.

Things You'll Need

  • Egg pack (polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) or other clear plastic)
  • Nylon wire (or your device.)
  • Soda bottle (The parts to fix at the back are made.)
  • Plastic bottle (green)
  • Pair of scissors
  • Pinking scissors
  • Pin or thumbtack
  • Spray paint (white or pink)
  • Glue for plastics or hot glue
  • Hair dryer or heat air gun
  • Lighter or hot glue gun
  • Permanent marker (Red or Pink)
  • Beads or glitter, optional

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