I have decided to create the hot air balloon scene with flickering lights to portray the fire within the balloon. I first tried to make the hot air balloon with some tissue paper that I had, but it proved to be a little more difficult to work with. I then tried using origami paper, where I cut strips and attached them together to form a “balloon”. The lights I have are more yellow, so the color of the paper did not really affect the color of the light shining. You can see that the light shines through the slots of the paper and creates a reflection on the walls of the box.

I also tried creating the hot air balloon using a lantern and a tea light with tissue paper over it. This light was more uniform and you could see the pattern on the tissue paper more clearly. I’m thinking of using this method and perhaps Mode Podging the tissue paper on to make a cleaner look.

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These models have just one balloon attached to a cardboard box but the final piece will have several of different sizes.

Shopping list

1. Flickering white LED tea candles
2. LED string lights – already have
3. Small lanterns – already have
4. origami paper – already have
5. shadow box
6. colored tissue paper
7. string – already have
8. plastic cups – already have
9. modge podge
10. sponge brush – already have

Timeline

Week of 9/21 – buy supplies from stores and begin making hot air balloons to give time to dry; order online supplies

Week of 9/28 – All supplies obtained; work on applying the lights to the hot air balloons; also work on background scene with the 2D hot air balloons made from tissue paper

Week of 10/5 – Work on hanging the 3D hot air balloons with the lights and attaching to the shadow box

Week of 10/12 – Finalize project and put finishing details.