Introduction: Fake Coral From Packing Worms
I ordered a ceramic fish online, and when it arrived, the box containing my purchase was full of packing worms. I was wondering how to recycle them and decided to make some fake coral to display my new fish!
Supplies
For this project, all I needed was some packing worms, a lump of polystyrene, a glue gun, and some spray paint.
Step 1: Creating the Base
First, I scratched any flat surfaces away from the lump of polystyrene to make it look more like a piece of rock. I then used hot glue to stick the packing worms to the polystyrene.
Step 2: Creating the Coral Clump
I carried on hot gluing the packing worms to each other to create the coral clump. It is important to hold the pieces in place for a few seconds until they set. It is surprisingly quick and easy to do.
Step 3: Colouring the Coral
Once I was happy with my coral clump, I spray painted the coral with two shades of pink. The spray paint does melt the polystyrene and the packing worms a little bit, but that just helps to make it look more like coral. And that is really all there is to it! A super easy project with great results.
Step 4: Completion
I used up the remainder of packing worms on a smaller, coral clump and sprayed with it with yellow and pink. I can’t wait till my next package arrives because I am dying to make more!
First Prize in the
Unusual Uses Contest
18 Comments
21 days ago on Step 4
Very interesting, and such a cool result!
Reply 20 days ago
Thank you 😊
4 weeks ago
awsome idea!!!!genius! well done!
Reply 4 weeks ago
Thank you
4 weeks ago
nice project! This would definitely win a prize in the contest
Reply 4 weeks ago
That is very kind of you to say, thanks🪸😊
Question 5 weeks ago
Was this for a shelf display, or could you really use it in a fishbowl or tank?
Answer 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your interest, It is for a shelf display only. To display my ceramic fish. I an also going to make a coral reef as a display for my mermaid craft stall. I am also designing a mermaid style living room. You can see other marine style pieces I have made on TikTok @lillylegion1
Answer 5 weeks ago
it would float since its foam and those packing peanuts look like the cellulose packing peanuts. which are biodegradable and melt with water. you can lick them and they stick to your tongue.
Reply 4 weeks ago
Thank you for you comments. If you read my project you will see that I made the coral to display my ceramic fish. It is not an aquarium accessory, and as I don’t intend to lick it I would imagine that it is pretty safe. Lol
5 weeks ago on Step 4
If you hold the spray paint farther away and do several light coats, it won't melt the plastic. It's the solvent in the spray that melts plastic.
This applies to any other crafts you make with soft styrofoam too!
Great idea.
Reply 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your comment. It doesn’t melt it much, just makes the surface tacky but it does enhance its coral like look. Sometimes I like the melted effect on the polystyrene base as it looks more rocky
5 weeks ago
Very sweet!
Reply 5 weeks ago
Thanks😊🪸
5 weeks ago on Introduction
Good one!
Reply 5 weeks ago
Thanks 😊🪸
5 weeks ago
Clever idea!
Reply 5 weeks ago
Thank you🪸