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Asphodelus Thanatos (Greek Death Flower)

59K views 48 replies 41 participants last post by  Torgen 
#1 ·
In Greek legend, Asphodelus was planted around the tombs and graves of the dead and was nicknamed "The Haunt of the Dead". It was said the flower would protect the portal between our world and Hades, keeping demonic forces at bay. This much rarer strain known as Asphodelus Thanatos, waits for amongst the headstones for unsuspecting mourners. With teeth as sharp as a hellhound and an appetite to match, the death flower attacks its unassuming prey with a poisonous bite. The bite from Asphodelus will instantly paralyze its victims, allowing the plant to digest its meal at leisure, sometimes taking days to devour a human.

The Breakdown:

3 balloons ($1.50/ pack 25 = .06 ea) .18
1/3 of 5lb. bag flour (for mache) (3.29/bag) 1.09
2 cans black spraypaint (.97 each) 1.94
2 oz. Model Magic for teeth (4 oz. 1.99 with 50% coupon) 1.00
1/10 yard cheesecloth from $1 store .10
1/2 bottle olive green craft paint (.59/bottle) .30
1/4 bottle magenta craft paint (.50/ bottle) .25
1/10 bottle mustard yellow craft paint (.50/ bottle) .05
1/10 bottle brown craft paint (.50/bottle) .05
1/10 bottle poly coat paint (4.99/bottle) .49
3/4 bag glue sticks ($ 2.99/bag) 2.25
1/4 bag moss ($2.89/bag) .73
Plastic Urn (yardsale find) $3.00
2" foam insulation 1 1/2 sq. foot (scrap @ .29 sq ft) .44
Newspaper free
Cereal Boxes free
sticks from tree free

TOTAL COST $11.87

I began with my greek death flower with paper maching balloons, building out lips with curled newspaper. I trimmed up the mouths and sanded them down, finally spraying them black. I made the petals and leaves using cardboard from cereal boxes, simply cutting out the shape of a leaf, curling the edges and spraypainting them black as well. After attaching the petals and a stick from my tree as a stem, I airbrushed in some green and handpainted in some details.

For the teeth, I began with a strip of carboard cereal box, used Model Magic to form the fang like teeth, and allowed them to dry. I then painted them with a yellow wash and browned them up to make them gross looking. I attached these to the inside of the mouth with hot glue. Finally I coated them with poly to make them shine. When that was done, I put a chunk of styrofoam in the bottom of my plastic urn planter that I had sprayed black and distressed with paint, and pushed the tree stick stems into the foam, adding some hot glue for added strength. I covered the foam with more cardboard leaves and some moss. Finally I trimmed out with a little painted cheesecloth to add an eerier feel to it.

I'm going to try and get night shots of this, but it poured here tonight. Hope you all like and thanks for an awesome and inspiriing competition!!!





 
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#30 ·
According to your profile: Join Date 05-31-2011. Have you forgotten what the term "newb" means? it is the opposite of old, experienced, and/or talented!!!! :p Newbs aren't allowed to make awesome props, it makes the rest of us look bad... :D jk.
 
#37 ·
Kimmy- I see the stuff you make and I wish you lived closer to me, we could have some fun in the shop! Great work nice prop!
Ive just started doing a few things out of mache and I like the medium alot.
 
#38 ·
Kimmy- I see the stuff you make and I wish you lived closer to me, we could have some fun in the shop! Great work nice prop!
Ive just started doing a few things out of mache and I like the medium alot.
I wish I did too, you are so creative and I would love to have someone to work on props with!!!!! This was my first try at mache since gradeschool and it was fun!! Learned alot of new tricks to try next time!:p
 
#46 ·
I have a question. Before breaking or making any cuts into my balloons, I am looking into several ways to attach my stems. I plan on using a wire stiffer than hanger wire to support what I feel may be moderately heavy plant heads. My concern is the structural integrity of the paper mache. I have 5 layers on the balloons now and plan on at least one, maybe two more.
My plan as of now is to form a circle at the end of the wire/stem (of sufficient size to provide for maximum area) and attach it with hot glue to the back of the balloon head. Then, paper mache a star pattern over the wire to hide it and to look like a sepal.
Am I over thinking this process or does anyone have any suggestions for attaching my wire/stems?

By the way hauntedkimmy, great plant!
Thanks
 
#47 ·
Sorry I didn't see this until now beatlerat. I cut holes on the underside of mine in an X and pushed through the x with the stick and reinforced then with the hot glue and sepal petals. It seems to work great...I've had my plant out since I posted it and my kids and dogs bump it frequently without issue. I had about 5 coats on mine as well. Hope that helps.

I thought of using a wire too and making it look tendril like at the edge, but it didn't seem to need it. :)
 
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