Recycled Bottle Fish Mobile

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-1340 -- More Projects »
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Designed by Cheri Van Bynen.

Materials:

2-liter soda bottle w/cap
tin snips
scissors
butane torch
ceramic tile square
masking tape
rectangle of construction paper
marker
Delta transparent glass paint
paint pens
monofilament or fishing line
sewing needle
stick
Goof Off (optional)

Steps:

1. Rinse and dry soda bottle. Use Goof Off or similar remover to remove label. Replace cap as it’s easier to peel off label and do markings because the bottle is less likely to crush.

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Figure A
2. Remove cap and use tin snips to cut off threads down to the flange (figure A).
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Figure B
3. To soften and form fish lips, heat ragged opening of bottle with a small torch (figure B). While still warm, press onto a heat-resistant surface like a ceramic tile square.
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Figure C
4. Use closed pliers twisted inside the opening to form the mouth (figure C).
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 PDF
Figure D - Click for more detailed template instructions
5. To mark areas for fish tail and fins, wrap construction paper around bottle and secure with tape (figure D). This will become your template. Bind it so that the template can still slide on and off the bottle.

6. Remove the construction paper template; flatten it and draw the tail and upper and lower fins of the fish onto the bottle. Cut out the template and slide it back onto the bottle.

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Figure E
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Figure F
7. Trace the pattern onto the bottle (figure E), remove the template again and cut the fish shape from the soda bottle (figure F).
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Figure G
8. Paint the inside of the bottle with transparent glass paint, allowing the colors to run (figure G).
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Figure H
9. Use paint pens to paint the eye on the outside of the bottle (figure H). Allow to dry.

10. Using a sewing needle and monofilament line, thread a strand through the head of the fish.

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Figure I
11. Pinch tail ends of the fish together and use one staple to secure (figure I). The staple will be barely visible.

12. Trim off any uneven edges. Hang the fish from a stick with others to create a mobile.

Guests
Cheri VanBynen
Artist
Website: cherry.berry.tripod.com
Also in this Episode
Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-1340
•Dishtowel Valance
•Recycled Bottle Fish Mobile