There's nothing quite like the soft, warm splash of a real fire. Unfortunately, there are many places where open fire is not permitted or unsafe -for example, during a production stage or at an indoor party. In this situation, an artificial but realistic fire can create the atmosphere of a real fire without risking it. See Step 1 below to start creating your own mock fire set.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using a Cloth and Fan
Step 1. Cut the material to make your "fire"
In this method, we take advantage of the airflow from the fan to allow the artificial "fire" of the fabric to ripple and blow. The size of your fire will depend on the desired size of your mock fire or the space limitations of your fireplace. Using this measure into the calculation, cut the fire according to the calculation.
When cutting fabric, you have several options. You may want to cut multiple strands of the fabric to give your flame a thin, "thin" look, or conversely, you may want to cut the flame sheet horizontally for a more intense look. You can even create a 3-dimensional fire using a tent-like piece of fabric that opens at the bottom - however, if you do this, make sure to cut a few holes in the top for air to pass or you'll end up with a "fat" flame that doesn't move
Step 2. Glue the flame to the pegs
The base of each fire cloth must be attached to a small peg to keep the fire in place while the fire is blowing freely. Take each flame that you've cut off and secure the "bottom" to the dowels with staples, adhesive tape, or another method that allows the remaining (unglued) flame to move freely. You can glue all the flames to one peg, but for a more impressive waving effect, use several different pegs.
- If you're using the "tent" shaped fire described above, glue any exposed undersides on two pegs so that the base is slightly exposed. This allows air to pass through, and inflates the fire.
- Note - to be clear, the fire should stick along the length of the dowel – not the ends of the two.
Step 3. Set your stake in the location you want
Place the cut ends of the criss-crossed pegs on the grate or on the top of a basket or coffee can, etc. Arrange your pegs so they cover the space directly above where you put your fan. The stakes should be arranged parallel to each other so that they show the fire to the audience.
Step 4. Place your fan under the fire
Set your fan under your fire so that it blows "up" through the flame. If you're using a fireplace grate, then place the fan directly under it. If you are using a basket, place the fan face up at the bottom of the basket. If you are using a coffee can or other similar container, you may need to carefully cut the bottom and hold the fan so that it blows through the hole.
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It's easiest to place your mock fire directly in front of the power line so that the fan wires don't appear to run across the floor.
Step 5. Place your light source (lamp) under the pegs
Set a red, orange, and/or yellow light under the fire so that the light shines straight into the fire. Theater rental companies provide colorful lights, but it's easier if you just use the light from a regular flashlight that passes through colored glass or plastic.
Step 6. Test your fire
Before you finish setting up your fire, lights, and fans, it's a good idea to do a test run on a mock fire. If you can, dim the lights in the room, then turn on colored lights and fans. If everything works correctly, your fire will blow like a real fire, illuminated from below. If not, make the necessary adjustments and test again.
Step 7. Hide fans and lights
Now that you know your fire is working as intended, it's time to give the fire the appearance of a real fire, not a fan-powered device. For example, you could try placing wood on and around a fire. You may also be able to scatter fake ash and burning debris over and around the fire.
- If you don't have real pegs, don't worry - you can make a lightweight mock-up by cutting the noodle sticks into short sections and wrapping them in construction paper (cement paper).
- Another great idea is to mimic the "coal (fire)" look by stacking wires of LED lights or Christmas lights under the fire. The results will be even better if you can find a red or orange colored light or if you place a red or orange layer of plastic around the lamp.
Method 2 of 2: The Fast Way Using Tissue Paper and Flashlight
Step 1. Make a fire out of tissue paper
You can style the fire from your colored tissue paper in any way you want to make the fire. When you're done, use a hot glue gun to glue each of your tissue flames into one colorful bonfire. A quick, and easy way to make a fire out of paper towels that gives great results is as follows:
Place a new sheet of tissue paper on the table. Pinch gently in the middle. Holding the tissue sheet, whip your hands quickly and slowly catch the tissue paper. The force of pulling the tissue in the air forms the tissue paper like a fire or in the shape of a wreath. Do it slowly – tissue is very easy to damage
Step 2. Make pegs from paper towel rolls
Use a Sharpie (colored marker) to outline the wood grain on a few rolls of paper towels or rolls of toilet paper. You may want to cut the longer roll in half so that your stakes are the same size.
If you have time, for an added touch, try briefly soaking a paper towel roll in water, crushing the roll with your hands, and letting it dry before drawing wood grain lines on the paper. This will cause the paper to wrinkle, a real-looking appearance, a reflection of a real peg
Step 3. Glue the wood and fire together
Now that you have fire and wood, it's time to make a campfire. Arrange your stakes to look like real bonfires - for example, you can choose to have the stakes lying in a splayed pile or leaning against each other in a pyramid-like arrangement. Glue your dowels in place with hot glue. Next, glue fire in place. For a real look, place some fires on a pile of wood with another object on each side, just like on a real fire.
Step 4. Add fake stones (can add or not (optional))
As an added garnish, you may want to add gray coals or rocks in and around your bonfire. It's easy to do - all you need to do is paint the peanut shells gray (spray paint is cheap, easy, and works well). For larger stones, cut or break off the packaging pieces from the Styrofoam.
Step 5. Turn on the flashlight behind your flame
Putting a small flashlight, well hidden behind your fire is a great way to provide a blazing light. Set the flashlight intensity to small, and medium so that the base of the fire appears to be glowing. Doing it right, this will lighten the fire at the base, giving the impression that the fire is shining intensely.
You may find that light bulbs give a better effect than LED bulbs. LED bulbs usually give off "white" light and are too bright, while bulbs can provide a warmer, slightly dimmer, and more natural "yellow" light
Step 6. Set the fan behind your fire (optional)
If you have a small space, a small fan can give your fire a steady rustling motion, mimicking the effect of a real fire. If you can, place the blowing fan directly behind the fire, if you can't, set the fan to its lowest point and place it a few feet behind the fire. The fire shouldn't duck or sway quickly – you're looking for a soft, subtle effect that isn't too distracting.
Step 7.
Warning
- Be careful when cutting.
- Never use paper pegs for a real fire.
