Time to start on those Christmas yard art: Subject Candy.

[Baitball Blogger]

Mucho disappointed in the Candy Face-off challenge last night.Everyone was so big on ugly that nobody looked like they were having any fun and it showed in the end. But I did see something I wanted to replicate for my Nutcracker yard motif for Christmas (It's either Nutcracker or Gingerbread. It changes as I add to the collection.)

Anyway, I want to make my own candy displays. I want to make lollipops and gum drops. Here's my ideas:

Lollipops:
PVC for the sticks. For the Lollipop I'm hoping to find something round and opaque and plastic so I can stick LED fairy lights inside. Of course, I'll paint the lollipop in typical pinwheel color and top it off with see through cellophane.

Big question: Anyone have any ideas where I can find the round, opaque, plastic piece?

Gum Drops: This was an issue until I saw it on Face-off. They had three large gumdrops impaled on one PVC stick. I just have to find the pieces I can form as gumdrops, which I can also add lights to.

Anyone have ideas on what I can use for the body of the candy? Remember, I want to light them up so Styrofoam won't work.

[Duer 157099]

1. What size lollipops?

I would go to a party store and look around. Maybe those large round plastic serving trays? Or, the plastic thing that holds a wreath?

I'll keep thinking.

Edit: Or, go to a thrift store and just look around for things to repurpose. Old CDs somehow? They are reflective and could be put to good use.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Nice ideas!

I'm hoping for twenty four inch heads for the lollipops--though I'm not stuck on that number.

And at least twelve inch base for the gum drop.

[Duer 157099]

3. Find a store that packages everything in those godawful clamshells

then find one of the right size and shape. Spray paint the interior to make it opaque.

Return the product without the clamshell

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I'm doing googles right after this.

[Duer 157099]

4. Take an empty water bottle

put it in the microwave and see what happens. Does it collapse onto itself to form a disc?

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Hey, coke bottles might work as the shell of the gum drops!

[Arugula Latte]

7. Here's a way to make spherical "yard" lollipops

http://seasonalhome.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/outdoor-candy-a-christmas-decorating-idea/

?w=535&h=401

[Baitball Blogger]

12. Those would be easier to find workable materials.

Thanks!

[Duer 157099]

8. More

Or, two of these glued together with the lights inside might make a really interesting pattern:

http://www.partycity.com/product/clear+plastic+crystal+cut+platter+13in.do?sortby=ourPicks&pp=60&size=all&navSet=110314

http://www.bardesplastics.com/deli_trays.html

http://www.partycity.com/category/entertaining+serving/serving+trays.do

[Baitball Blogger]

13. It's coming together. I'm getting lots of good ideas.

Thanks.

[Duer 157099]

9. Lampshade = gumdrop skeleton?

Thrift store

[Baitball Blogger]

15. Now that you mention it, I think I've seen some inner sections from lampshades that

look translucent.

[Xyzse]

10. I love Resin...

One of the nice things about Resin, is that you can form it in to anything.

http://www.amazon.com/AeroMarine-300-Epoxy-Resin-Gallon/sim/B0047R2C9Y/2

If you want to go that route.
You can even make it clear or translucent. There are ways to color it too!

[Duer 157099]

11. Ooooo. Can you elaborate?

What can/do you use as a form? I mean, to shape it. I mean, what doesn't it stick to?

[Xyzse]

16. Usually...

I have to build a mold first. So, either I carve something first to make a mold, or find something to create a mold, then put resin on it...

Like here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2143868_work-resin-crafting.html

[Duer 157099]

18. Can silicone ice trays, for example, be used?

Or does any mold have to be sprayed with a releasing agent first?

[Xyzse]

19. Releasing Agent First

This one is a cool step by step:
http://windofthestars.com/blog/tutorials/step-by-step-guide-to-using-epoxy-resin/

[Baitball Blogger]

14. Is that the stuff they use in the Face-Off competitions?

[Xyzse]

17. I don't know...

I use resin for decoupage and sometimes just creating blocks that have a simple shape that I can carve slowly on.

So in regards to Face Off, they are professionals... Everything I've learned in regards to Resin is me just playing around, I don't know what they use.

[siligut]

20. I saw some Easter buckets at the Dollar Store and thought of you

The buckets are about 10" at the mouth, candy colored and translucent. You could cover them with small bubble bubble wrap for the sugar coating, which would also help to round the corners out and of course lights inside would work.

I like creative projects but have so much practical stuff to do, I don't get to them myself.

[Baitball Blogger]

21. Thanks. I'll give my dollar store a looksee.