This article was taken from the August 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Need a gift for a special occasion? If a regular bouquet won't suffice, maybe Sara Bolduc's LED-enabled paper flowers will be just the thing. This project shouldn't be too difficult to make, and the results are unique. According to Bolduc, this design can be made using "materials that anyone can get". You may even have them sitting around your house.
Assemble your materials
You'll require paper, preferably something colourful and stiff, and a wooden skewer to form the stem of your flower. You'll also need an LED light, a three-volt "coin cell" battery and conductive (copper foil) tape. For tools, a hot glue gun, ruler, scissors and needle-nose pliers will be useful.
Cut and fold your flowers
To create your flower petals, a heart-shaped stencil is used to cut out a shape that can be folded into a four-sided "bud". The heart shapes in the outer flower will be around 5cm tall, with the inner being a little smaller. Fold the four flowers into shape, then poke a hole through the centre of both with your skewer. Affix the larger flower to the top of the skewer.
Assemble the light and battery
Position the LED on top of the skewer, then bend the shorter lead so it lies flat against the larger flower. Cut a piece of tape and place it under the short lead on the larger flower, then press the negative side of the battery on top of the lead to form a solid connection. Bend the other lead against the positive side of the battery to allow it to light up.
Unveil the flower to delighted gasps
In order to turn your light off until it's needed, put a strip of paper in between the bent positive LED lead and the battery. When the recipient of this impressive gift is ready to enjoy it, take the paper off to turn it on. According to Bolduc, the biggest challenge of coming up with this was "getting it to look pretty".
But where there's a will, there's surely a way.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
