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6 Steps to Creating Seaweed and Driftwood Craft Arrangements : Tutorial by Shaquayla

6 Steps to Creating Seaweed and Driftwood Craft Arrangements: Part ONE

Tutorial Added by Art Hobby Craft Member: Shaquayla Mackie

Shaquayla shows you how to transform found items like seaweed, driftwood and other natural materials into beautiful craft items.

In this tutorial she covers 6 Steps to Creating Seaweed and Driftwood Craft Arrangements.

We've split the tutorial into two parts for you : Part One Covers Steps 1 to 3

STEP 1

Collected beach sponges and seaweed,
shells,driftwood,
small beach rocks,coral.

recycle seaweed water

STEP 2

In Australia we are very conscious of water conservation,
so bucket the seaweed enriched water onto your garden.
The plants will love it.

washed seaweed

STEP 3

First:
Wash your seaweed in an old washing machine on a gentle cycle
with detergent or wash out in a tub.

Fill machine again add 2 litres of bleach : this does a large load of sponges and seaweed..so just the amount if doing a small load in a bucket or tub..don't stress this is not an exact science..have fun..
Leave to soak for around twelve hours to a day.
Rinse.
Fill machine or bucket/tub add a full packet bi-carbonate of soda (to absorb odours) leave to soak 12 hours -1 day, rinse well...
Fill washing machine again or tub/bucket now add dye.
In a machine it can take several small containers of dylon dye (but note it is dyeing a lot of sponge and you get a lot of materials to work with) it's not an exact science and the fun is in experimenting as some sponges will take up the dye really well and some only dye a soft hue.
Leave in dye for 12 hours to a day. rinse well and enjoy the experience of what you have created.. Now take them out to dry in the sun for several days..must be really dry.. I put mine on an old trampoline so air circulates..suggestion,tie a piece of shade cloth at its four corners to make a type of shade sail and place sponges on it. TAKE CARE TIP : (remember though that were you to place this the dye drains through and may stain concrete (can be washed down with bleach though to remove)