Seaweed for dry photoshoots/events tutorial

[Mermaid Photine]

I found this (http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/121394-how-make-faux-sea-weed.html) while wandering around the internet:

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It looks pretty simple, and the effect is nice!

[Winged Mermaid]

I found this recently as well! I'm going to make some to try and use underwater. I'll probably have to hand paint them with acrylic instead of spray painting them to get the paint to stay on. Not sure how well that will work out, but I'll let you guys know :)

[Usagi]

The other day, I was thinking..like what if you took seaweed (or any plant for that matter) and sprayed it with varnish or some sort of sealant. Would it still dry up, or would it be preserved?