Umbrellas

Word of the day: Umbrella
Medium: Origami paper and pipestem cleaners

These umbrellas are based on a craft project to make cocktail umbrellas for a patio party.

The original pattern called for bamboo skewers instead of pipestem cleaners, with a bead glued on the tip that pokes through the top of the umbrella. I thought these sparkly pipestem cleaners would be more fun. I simply curled up the end of the wire to make a “bead.”

I traced a bowl on the paper as a pattern. Most are custard cup size. ;) Then I trimmed some of the edges to make them more interesting.

After putting these together, I realized they needed a vase for display. Happily, my JoyCats vase holds them perfectly and adds a nice bit of whimsy. 

Speaking of cats, my (real) cat seemed interested in these as I wrapped the stems together and the tops were waving around in the air. File this one away as an easy cat toy!

But I like them best in the vase. There’s something Seuss-ian about the way they spread out. Vase and umbrellas are now perched on top of my dark red bookcase.

You know, this is fun!