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How to Make Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish

These pipe cleaner jellyfish are so cute! Have fun making this glowing jellyfish craft using simple supplies, including a recycled drink lid!
Active Time45 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Yield: 1 pipe cleaner jellyfish
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $2

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish Supplies

Step 2: Make the jellyfish body

  • Gather at least 35 pipe cleaners to make the jellyfish body.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • You'll be wrapping the pipe cleaners around a domed plastic drink lid to make the jellyfish body.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Begin by inserting one pipe cleaner through the top of the lid. Hold it most of the way down into the lid.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Wrap the pipe cleaner around the outside of the lid and back up through the center.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Bring the pipe cleaner back down and finish it inside the lid. Pinch the wraps at the bottom of the lid so they stay in place and push the pipe cleaner together.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Repeat around until the lid is covered.
    As you work you'll need to push the pipe cleaners together tight, especially at the top opening.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Cut a pipe cleaner in half so you have a piece 6 inches long.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Wrap the pipe cleaner around itself so it forms a flat spiral.
    (HINT: Read down to step 5 and think about adding the fishing line hanger to the jellyfish now, before the tentacles get in the way.)
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Add hot glue around the outside of the circle and attach the spiral to top center of the lid, to cover the hole.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish

Step 3: Add the tentacles

  • To make the first jellyfish tentacle wrap a pipe cleaner around a pencil or pen.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Slide the pipe cleaner off the pencil and stretch it out to lengthen the tentacle.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Make other tentacles of different widths, wrapping the pipe cleaner around a marker, or a thicker paintbrush handle. Again, stretch it out.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Attach the tentacles by twisting one end around a pipe cleaner on the inside of the cup.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Repeat, adding 6 tentacles total.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish

Step 4: Make the jellyfish glow

  • To make a glowing jellyfish you'll need battery operated fairy lights.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Twist the fairy lights around themselves, creating 4 or 5 sections that can be attached to the tentacles.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Wrap the fairy lights around the tentacles.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Then glue the battery pack to the inside of the jellyfish body.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish

Step 5: Add the finishing touches

  • Cut a 16 inch piece of white organza ribbon.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Tie the ribbon around one of the inside pipe cleaners, or the string of fairy lights.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Cut a 10 to 12 inch length of fishing line.
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Loop the fishing line through the top spiral pipe cleaner and tie it into a looped hanger.
    (NOTE: While this is possible now, it'll be easier to center the hanger if you do this earlier in the process, perhaps even before you attach the coil to the lid.)
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Your pipe cleaner jellyfish is complete!
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
  • Now turn on the fairy lights and enjoy your glowing jellyfish lamp!
    Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish

Video

Notes

Looking for more ways to use pipe cleaners? Here's a few of our favourites:
Pipe Cleaner Tulips
Pipe Cleaner Dogs
Beaded Pipe Cleaner Butterflies