Help My Plastic Garden Grow — Join FENCELINE and Turn Waste Into a Wall of Blooming Resistance
here’s what’s happening
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blooms needed
Spring blooms have faded, but my studio is full of blooms! Single-use plastic blooms that is. I am working on a new installation which will go on display in a few weeks and will continue to grow throughout the summer, and into autumn. And I need your help!
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you've helped before
Some of you may remember and have helped with my HOTHOUSE installation of flowers formed and stitched from single-use plastic and placed inside of a plastic greenhouse in 2021. Those flowers have been through many installations since then, and now have an opportunity to evolve once again!
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help is needed again
ArtPort Kingston has invited the flowers to become FENCELINE for Garden of Delights, An Exhibition of Growth, Creativity & Connection in Kingston, New York from June to October 2025. The Opening Reception will take place on Saturday, May 31 2025, 3-5PM. FENCELINE will continue growing throughout the summer, and will host local workshops in order to add to the installation.
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looks aren't everything
At first glance the installation on the fence will look like a fun, brightly colored explosion of exotic flora. As the viewer walks in for a closer look, they realize the material that the art is created from is the exact material contributing to the pollution of our planet. These plastic flowers will live for decades in the landfill, while the blossom on a real rose will only last a week.
here’s how you can help!
To make a real impact on this evolving installation, I need a gazillion plastic flowers—and I only have two hands!
Could you:
🌼 Make and send me a flower?
🌼 Or cut colorful single-use plastic into petals and pop them in the mail?
Lightweight = one stamp. Big impact.
Every contributor will be thanked and deeply appreciated. 💚
I’ve made a couple of YouTube videos to give you inspiration on how to make the flowers, watch them here and here.
Please let me know you’re willing to help by clicking the button below and sending me an email. I give you the shipping address and many thanks in return.
THANK YOU!!
How To Make 3 easy Single-Use Plastic Flowers
🌸 Flower 1:
The Scrunched Strip Flower (Kid-Friendly)
Materials Needed:
2 long plastic strips (no need to measure or be precise)
Floral wire (or any wire you have)
Sharp scissors
Instructions:
Stack the Strips: Lay one strip on top of the other.
Scrunch: Starting at one end, scrunch both strips together along the length, using your fingers. One may scrunch faster than the other — that’s okay!
Tip: Use a weight or a second pair of hands to hold the ends.
Add Wire: Fold a wire in half and place it around the center of the scrunched plastic.
Twist: Squeeze the middle tight and twist the wire securely to hold the plastic.
Fluff: Separate and fluff each layer of plastic by tugging gently. Be rough — the plastic can handle it!
Finish: Once both sides are fluffed, shape with your fingers to “groom” your flower.
🌼 Flower 2:
The Folded Strip (Fan Style) Flower
Materials Needed:
3 plastic strips (same or different sizes, doesn’t matter)
Floral wire
Scissors
Instructions:
Stack the Strips: Align all three strips on top of each other.
Accordion Fold:
Fold about an inch forward.
Then fold back.
Keep folding back and forth (like a paper fan).
Don’t roll the plastic — fold it back onto itself.
Add Wire:
Fold the wire in half.
Slide it to the center of the folded strip.
Squeeze and twist the wire tightly.
Fluff: Fan out the folded strip and separate each layer.
Some plastic may be clear and hard to see — take your time.
🌺 Flower 3:
The Snowflake-Style Petal Flower
Materials Needed:
Several square pieces of plastic (at least 3 large ones + optional smaller ones)
Floral wire
Sharp scissors
Instructions:
Stack and Fold:
Stack 2–3 (or more) square pieces.
Fold in half once.
Fold in half again.
Then fold diagonally into a triangle.
Cut Petal Shape:
Cut a teardrop or petal shape from the folded triangle.
Unfold — you’ll have multiple flower shapes!
Repeat for Smaller Flowers: Make smaller versions with smaller squares if desired.
Stack the Flowers:
Layer your flowers (imperfect stacking is fine!).
Center them as best you can.
Wire the Center:
Fold the wire in half.
Poke both ends through the center of the stacked flowers (you can poke by hand, no need to pre-cut holes).
Pull the wire all the way through and twist tightly to secure.
Fluff: Shape and fluff the petals with your fingers.
💡 Notes:
No measuring is required.
Imperfection is part of the charm.
These flowers are durable and suitable for outdoor display for up to 2-3 months (e.g., fence decor).
Be sure to remove the flowers from the outdoor display once they look like they’re about to start disintegrating. No need to add to microplastic pollution!