Things You'll Need
6 black poster boards
8 1/2 x 11-inch drawing paper
Pencil
Craft glue
White chalk
1 roll of cellophane
1 roll of parchment paper
Iron
Ironing board
Silver glitter
Staple gun
Staples
6 black pipe cleaners
Hot glue gun
Glue
Generate some buzz and "bee" the center of attention in your homemade bee wings. These adorable incandescent cellophane bee wings are easily made in a short period of time. They are lightweight and suitable for adult costumes but can be used for older kids' dress-up gear too. These simple wings can also be adapted for other winged costumes or for cosplay.
Cellophane Bee Wings
Position the Poster Boards
Make a poster board sandwich to create your homemade bee wings. Place one poster board onto a flat surface and cover the poster board with craft glue. Lay another poster board over the top of that one, and add more glue to its surface. Place the third poster board onto the glued surface. Let the poster board dry. Repeat this process to make the other side of the bee wings.
Video of the Day
Draw and Design the Bee Wings
Design your homemade bee wings. Draw several different wing styles onto a piece of drawing paper. Each wing can be a simple elongated oval shape, or more intricately shaped butterfly wings. The design is completely up to your imagination. Choose your favorite.
Transfer the Drawings to the Poster Boards
Sketch one side of the bee's wings onto one of the poster board sandwiches with white chalk. Cut the pattern out and trace it onto the other prepared poster board. Cut the other wing out.
Lay Out the Cellophane
Lay a sheet of incandescent cellophane over the top of the bee wings. Make sure that the shiniest side is facing upward.
Cover the Cellophane with Parchment Paper
Place parchment paper over the cellophane, waxy side down.
Video of the Day
Preheat the Iron
Turn on the iron to the cotton setting. Allow it to preheat so the base will be uniformly heated.
Press the Cellophane onto the Poster Board
Iron the cellophane onto the poster board. Press down evenly, and don't linger in any one place too long in order to prevent melting.
Cool the Cellophane
Allow the cellophane to cool before adding more. Don't forget to add cellophane to the underside of the wings.
Add More Cellophane
Add more cellophane to the bee wings. Use as many or few sheets as you'd like to get your desired look.
Add Embellishments to Your Bee Wings
Draw veins onto the bee's wings with craft glue. Add glue a little section at a time, and sprinkle silver glitter into the wet glue. Allow the glue to completely dry before proceeding.
Staple the Wings Together
Staple the wings together in the center.
Twist the Pipe Cleaners
Twist the six black pipe cleaners together to make one large pipe cleaner.
Glue Over the Staples
Add a line of hot glue over the stapled section of the wings.
Hide the Stapes With the Pipe Cleaner Bundle
Center the twisted pipe cleaners over the hot glue and press down firmly. This will camouflage the staples.
Glue on the Barrette
Hot glue a French barrette to the underside of the wings.