How do I find a suitable base for pistachio flowers?
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I would like to make some of these flowers - but they need to stay outside. Using a piece of cardboard with a glue gun is not adequate because with the first rain, the shells fall off. Is there a putty that dries and does not melt in the rain? Air dry clay has the right consistency to hold shells in, but melts in the rain. I am using this pic courtesy of Pinterest to illustrate how the shells are able to stand up in the putty
You can use metal lids from mason, jelly and pickle jars with a permanent glue. You will also want to weatherproof them before placing them outside. You can use outdoor Mod Podge for that. I love the flowers... super cute.
Love the flowers. You can put them in a pot or make a fairy garden using them as you succulents. Make sure you put a sealer on them. Very pretty idea.
I have seen these before and made into candle holders, very pretty. There is a product called Sugru it is a silicone based "putty" that can be used for basically anything. You can Google its applications. The problem is it is expensive and if I can find a "DIY" alternative I will. Below I have Googled a home made version of this Sugru sometimes called Oogroo. Good luck and hope this helps.
home made sugru - Google Search
P.S. If these are going to be used outside I would use a water based polyurethane to protect such as Varathane. I do not think it will react with the Sugru but you can test first.
spar varathane - Google Search
Metal jar lids, plastic jar lids, plastic discs cut out of coffee lids, disc cut out of plastic milk or juice bottles, ceramic tile, etc. Use E6000 glue.
E6000 glue alone takes too long to dry - I am looking for the putty base like she has, but it has to be waterproof once set. So I would start with the putty round shape, add a bit of E6000 to the shell, and stand it up in the putty. But WHAT putty to use, lol? Would the stuff you use for car repairs (I think it's called Bondo?) work, or is it too sticky? How about grout? Quick Crete cement? Can I make it thick enough so shells would stand up in it? What else can I use? The putty has to stay malleable for at least 15 minutes so I can stand all the shells up in it. I can't use metal can lids alone, the shells won't stand up on those and you have to use countless toothpicks to have them stand up - too time consuming and just not worth it...
Is there some way clay would work. I know you have to bake Sculpey, Fimo etc but there are some clays that air dry. Just a thought.