Cublower - a Simple Fake Flower Home Decor

This instructable shows how to make simple fake flowers using a piece of wood, an aluminum can, and some wire. I like them because they are obviously fake but stylish. They also add nice color and liveliness to a room.

Materials

• An aluminum can - for leaves
• A piece of wood (any wood), 1" x 1" x 1" (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm) or larger - for the cube, you can also 3D print the cube using the STL file below (Note: the STL file unit is mm).
• Thread of any color, about 3' (1 m) long
• Aluminum or steel wire of any color, about 0.08" (12 AWG, 2 mm) diameter and 8" (20 cm) length - for the stem
• Two colors of paint, one for the stem and leaves and the other for the cube. I used Turner Acryl Gouache but any permanent paint will do.

Tools

• Needle nose pliers
• Scissors, preferably kitchen shears or heavy-duty ones
• A paint brush
• A hand or electric drill with a 3/32" (2 mm) bit
• A hand or electric saw and/or a hatchet

Using a saw and/or hatchet, cut a piece of wood into a cube of about 1" (2.5 cm) in sides. I like cleaving wood to give it a rough and natural texture. At a corner of the cube, drill a hole of about 1" (2.5 cm) depth using a 3/32" (2 mm) bit or similar. Alternatively, you can 3D print the cube with a hole using the STL file provided in the supplies section, but it won't give as good texture as a rough-cut piece of wood.

Cut out pieces of an aluminum can into leaf shapes. Leave a small strip of aluminum at the bottom ends of the leaves for tying to a wire stem. I recommend using kitchen shears or heavy-duty scissors as aluminum can damage regular scissor blades. The total length of the leave and the strip should be about 1" (2.5 cm). Using needle nose pliers, add bends to the aluminum pieces to resemble real leaves.

Using thread, tie the leaves to a wire stem, spacing them about 1" (2.5 cm) apart. Push the tip of the wire into the hole of the 1" wood cube. If the cube is loose, apply some glue in the hole.

Paint the cube, stem, and leaves with colors of your choice. Apply a little excess paint on the threads to protect them. Making a hook at the end of the stem makes it easier to hang and dry.