(no subject)
I understand that it is Tuesday rather than Sunday, when I promised I would post. But I've been bogged down with homework (weight transfer assignment-writing, choreographing a piece about tightrope walkers...you know, the usual) and this is the first opportunity I've had to really describe my first crafting experience!
I started back and school full-time on Monday, and its so fun. Just to put that bit of "me" out there,
Confession: it was really hard to motivate myself to start this. There were many other pressing things to do. Like cleaning (which is still pressing), schoolwork, and general day-to-day life things (grocery shopping? not yet). But I'm really glad I sat down and actually DID it. I honestly felt guilty taking time for myself that wasn't entirely necessary. But I have a cool bowl to show for it, so not all is lost. Besides, I'm inspired to continue my Do It Yourself project goals. I'm hoping against hope that I will somehow wind up with a beautifully decorated apartment, and cool wedding gifts to give to the members of my wedding party/ my mom and dad, etc.
On to Project One!
Paper Bowls
Taken from: Do It Yourself magazine, winter 2009 edition
Total time required: varies on what size bowl you make. Paper cutting- 1/2 hour. Gluing, 2 hours (tops). Drying, 2days. Total, 50.5 hours. But a lot of that can be spent doing other things. Like sleeping.
Equipment Required: paper shredder or scissors, nine sheets of cardstock, craft glue, water, plastic wrap, bowls, paintbrush
1- Shred your paper into small strips using shredder or scissors.
Laura says- I used scissors, because I was worried about being socially ostracized for over-shredding at work (I do tend to over-shred...if there is such a thing). Plus it was something to do while watching TV. Pot helped, too. How much paper you use totally depends on the thickness of your product, and what size bowl you're wanting to make. I cut 5 pieces of craft-grade construction paper (the stuff you can get at dollarama), and still have enough left to make another small project. And maybe an egg cup, should I be so inclined. If you use newspaper, you'll need more. Cardstock, less. Just a tip.
2- Mix together 2 parts glue 1 part water
Laura says- BE LIBERAL WITH YOUR GLUE USE.
3- Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and place it upside-down on a plastic surface
Laura says- Watch out with the plastic wrap! I initially tried to "save the whales" and only use enough wrap to cover the outside of my bowl, rather than wrapping the outside as well as the mouth of the bowl, and twisting it in the centre for a snug fit. Your bowl is going to have whatever wrinkles or divots your wrap has, so try and make yours as smooth as possible. I learned this the hard way, as my plastic wrap kept sliding all over the damn place and eventually onto my knees.
4- Sprinkle the shredded paper with a small amount of water to moisten
Laura says- good call. Small bits of paper is best. Don't get it sopping. If you have a spritz bottle (with a cat like mine you'd better believe we do), that works nicely.
5- Brush the glue solution onto the plastic wrap covering your bowl
Laura says- okay! If you don't do this,your inside layer will be soft. Just sayin.
6- Add a small clump of paper and brush the glue solution over the pieces until they lay flat and adhere to the bowls
Laura says- At this point, expect to get a little sloppy. My paper would NOT flatten until I flattened it myself. I felt like a third grader again, trying to papier mache that stupid balloon for whatever reason. If you don't flatten your paper, it'll bunch funny and the other clumps of paper you add to your bowl won't stick to it properly. Be prepared to smooth down the edges of your work manually.
7- Continue this process until you're about 2 inches from the rim of the bowl. For strength, cover the bowls with about 3 layers of paper
Laura- I did a mixing-bowl sized project, and stopped a good 6-7 inches prior to the rim, but added some longer pieces towards the end to make it look a little more finished. I'll put pictures once i get my camera working again, but my point is you can be creative with your design. Asymmetrical, deep, shallow, colourful. the choices are yours.
8- Leave the bowl to dry. When the outside is dry to touch, flip it over and pull out the plastic wrap to dry the insides. This may take up to 2 days.
Laura says- yes.
Conclusion? IT WORKED! It totally worked! I have a really neat, black, spiky-looking bowl on my coffee table holding my wii-motes so I don't keep sitting on them. My coffee table is finally clear of clutter. The bowl is surprisingly stable, too. Except my cat keeps trying to eat it.
I will be doing this again. I wish I had been more adventurous with colour, and I also wish I hadn't used a mixing bowl for my first time. However, try this out. It looks kind of pro- like I would have spent money on a bowl made out of construction paper.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes!
I started back and school full-time on Monday, and its so fun. Just to put that bit of "me" out there,
Confession: it was really hard to motivate myself to start this. There were many other pressing things to do. Like cleaning (which is still pressing), schoolwork, and general day-to-day life things (grocery shopping? not yet). But I'm really glad I sat down and actually DID it. I honestly felt guilty taking time for myself that wasn't entirely necessary. But I have a cool bowl to show for it, so not all is lost. Besides, I'm inspired to continue my Do It Yourself project goals. I'm hoping against hope that I will somehow wind up with a beautifully decorated apartment, and cool wedding gifts to give to the members of my wedding party/ my mom and dad, etc.
On to Project One!
Paper Bowls
Taken from: Do It Yourself magazine, winter 2009 edition
Total time required: varies on what size bowl you make. Paper cutting- 1/2 hour. Gluing, 2 hours (tops). Drying, 2days. Total, 50.5 hours. But a lot of that can be spent doing other things. Like sleeping.
Equipment Required: paper shredder or scissors, nine sheets of cardstock, craft glue, water, plastic wrap, bowls, paintbrush
1- Shred your paper into small strips using shredder or scissors.
Laura says- I used scissors, because I was worried about being socially ostracized for over-shredding at work (I do tend to over-shred...if there is such a thing). Plus it was something to do while watching TV. Pot helped, too. How much paper you use totally depends on the thickness of your product, and what size bowl you're wanting to make. I cut 5 pieces of craft-grade construction paper (the stuff you can get at dollarama), and still have enough left to make another small project. And maybe an egg cup, should I be so inclined. If you use newspaper, you'll need more. Cardstock, less. Just a tip.
2- Mix together 2 parts glue 1 part water
Laura says- BE LIBERAL WITH YOUR GLUE USE.
3- Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and place it upside-down on a plastic surface
Laura says- Watch out with the plastic wrap! I initially tried to "save the whales" and only use enough wrap to cover the outside of my bowl, rather than wrapping the outside as well as the mouth of the bowl, and twisting it in the centre for a snug fit. Your bowl is going to have whatever wrinkles or divots your wrap has, so try and make yours as smooth as possible. I learned this the hard way, as my plastic wrap kept sliding all over the damn place and eventually onto my knees.
4- Sprinkle the shredded paper with a small amount of water to moisten
Laura says- good call. Small bits of paper is best. Don't get it sopping. If you have a spritz bottle (with a cat like mine you'd better believe we do), that works nicely.
5- Brush the glue solution onto the plastic wrap covering your bowl
Laura says- okay! If you don't do this,your inside layer will be soft. Just sayin.
6- Add a small clump of paper and brush the glue solution over the pieces until they lay flat and adhere to the bowls
Laura says- At this point, expect to get a little sloppy. My paper would NOT flatten until I flattened it myself. I felt like a third grader again, trying to papier mache that stupid balloon for whatever reason. If you don't flatten your paper, it'll bunch funny and the other clumps of paper you add to your bowl won't stick to it properly. Be prepared to smooth down the edges of your work manually.
7- Continue this process until you're about 2 inches from the rim of the bowl. For strength, cover the bowls with about 3 layers of paper
Laura- I did a mixing-bowl sized project, and stopped a good 6-7 inches prior to the rim, but added some longer pieces towards the end to make it look a little more finished. I'll put pictures once i get my camera working again, but my point is you can be creative with your design. Asymmetrical, deep, shallow, colourful. the choices are yours.
8- Leave the bowl to dry. When the outside is dry to touch, flip it over and pull out the plastic wrap to dry the insides. This may take up to 2 days.
Laura says- yes.
Conclusion? IT WORKED! It totally worked! I have a really neat, black, spiky-looking bowl on my coffee table holding my wii-motes so I don't keep sitting on them. My coffee table is finally clear of clutter. The bowl is surprisingly stable, too. Except my cat keeps trying to eat it.
I will be doing this again. I wish I had been more adventurous with colour, and I also wish I hadn't used a mixing bowl for my first time. However, try this out. It looks kind of pro- like I would have spent money on a bowl made out of construction paper.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes!