Project #5 Found Object Mobile

This is a fun project – starting with a scavenger hunt looking around the house for shapes and objects that can be used to make a simple and fun mobile.
What you will need:
*3 - in. dowels cut to three sizes – 6,6,7 in. (or you can use bamboo skewers – you can also determine your own size)
*ball of string or sewing thread – any colour
*found objects – different size buttons, washers, scrap fabric, paper, pretty much anything can be used
*white glue  *scissors

The real key factor to creating a mobile this way is balance.  You will determine your balance from somewhere in the centre of each dowel – kind of like a sea saw.
step one:
..assemble the objects – on this mobile I started with the first dowel ( about 6” long)  by stringing buttons together for one side and cut out a fabric cloud for the other side.  Once I tied each object onto either end of the first dowel I put a drop of glue to secure the string in place. Next, tie a string in the middle of the dowel and move it back and forth until the dowel with the objects hanging from it is somewhat balanced.  Put another drop of glue to secure the middle string.
Please note:.. I also find it helpful to tack a piece of string on the top of in a doorway with a paperclip on one end to help hold up the mobile so you don’t need someone to hold it up for you.
step two:
..take the center string from dowel no.1 and tie it to one side of dowel no.2 ( about 7” long) and assemble together some objects on the other end of the dowel.  Tie a piece of string to the centre and move it back and forth till everything is balanced.  Put a dab of glue on the strings.
step three:
..take the center string from dowel no.2 and tie it to the last dowel (about 6” long) and assemble some objects for the other end of the dowel.  Tie a piece of string to the centre and move it back and forth till everything is balanced and put a dab of glue on the strings.
Hang the finished product above your bed to enjoy.

This is a fun project to experiment with and you can use more dowels and make a more elaborate mobile – or use coat hanger wire so that you bend and shape the sticks.