DIY Deisgn: Nature Mobile

The fall season is my favorite of them all. Who can resist going for a walk in this nice cool weather? How can you not love the colors of the leaves? There is something about autumn I am connected to. Maybe its the changes the Earth goes through as it sheds its skin or the cool breezes that sway through the air. It seems there are many reasons I am drawn to this season, so why not create from its inspiration.

Mobiles are interesting because they suspend from above and add a whimsical feel to any room. A lot of people think of babies because every one of them has a hanging art piece above their little heads. Well, mobiles are not just for children. Here I share a project that enables you to really get creative and express your connection with nature.

What you will need: leaves, branches, string or wire, rocks, shipping tape and a hole puncher

The project is fairly simple but you will need a lot of patience. I will show you how I made mine, which should be a guide for how to make yours. You have total freedom with this one so edit and add materials whenever you want.

First, you need to collect leaves, rocks and branches. I suggest going on a nature walk and collect as you go. This will enable you to connect with nature and help inspire your project. Take the kids with you, they will love to help out.

Then you will need string or wire, whatever you have is fine. I used hemp string because I have a lot of it and I like its natural look. Plus, its strong. You will also need clear shipping tape and a hole puncher. If you don't have one you can use a needle to make the holes.  

Visit True Value for all the materials above or stop by Walgreens, Rite Aid or CVS. They should all have what you need for a fair price.

Now, in order for the leaves to stay protected you have to cover them. This is where the tape comes in. Just cover both sides of the leaf and cut around the edges so its shape still shows. You can use as many as you like. Use the hole puncher to make a hole and tie the string through it.

Then you want to get the rocks ready to hang. In order for them to be secure, I tied the string around the center and ended with a knot. Add a small piece of tape to secure the string and leave some extra. When you attach them to the mobile just connect the extra string on the rock to the new string on the branch.

When creating a mobile its best to work on it while its hanging. That way you can see how everything falls as well as the proper height of things. So start with the foundation, two large branches attached in the middle. Use the string to generously bound both branches together.

Once you have that done, its game on. Picture how you want the structure to look and remember to keep it balanced and spacious. You don't want leaves or rocks to close to each other. Add the materials slowly so you can clearly see where the design is going. For an added touch I added a small cross like feature in the middle with two sticks. This helps to weigh the mobile down and balance it out.

The possibilities are endless with this project. If you want to use other materials, go ahead. Use my mobile as a structural guide and create whatever your little hearts desire. Think out of the box but don't forget to show your connection with the objects.  You want the design to express you and your internal style.