tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post4352600995234421351..comments2024-03-27T03:15:55.367-04:00Comments on EPBOT: DIY Mini Wall Portals & Companion CubesJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-28968906518199710742013-01-01T12:56:24.374-05:002013-01-01T12:56:24.374-05:00That is SO COOL. If you wanted to try something, y...That is SO COOL. If you wanted to try something, you could work out how to rim the painted mirrors in colored rope lights, though you might need larger mirrors. Like they did with the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kkp91nAgQ8/UKvNeeBD8hI/AAAAAAAAw-0/dnsh3cW-rsg/s640/portal2.jpg" rel="nofollow">portal birthday mirror portals</a>Annenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83323655392703489862012-12-30T21:16:46.575-05:002012-12-30T21:16:46.575-05:00My mom paints on all sorts of shiny surfaces, incl...My mom paints on all sorts of shiny surfaces, including bottles and dishsoap dispensers, just using the enamel paints you can buy at Michael's. http://www.michaels.com/Glass-Painting%3A-Beautiful-Easy/ae0471,default,pg.html <br /><br />Just let the paint dry for a month before exposing it to water.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04124333998706109060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-11893134534909932992012-12-27T10:06:04.237-05:002012-12-27T10:06:04.237-05:00These are SO awesome Jen! Have you worked with EL...These are SO awesome Jen! Have you worked with EL wire before? It would give off an awesome glow effect, especially if you could hide the battery inside the cube. Here's a link to some:<br /><br />http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=72_98&zenid=f4e473a0ac1c84d41f9dd29a023d34a6Jennifferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00630250151874218922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-9204162085299003262012-12-26T14:21:58.074-05:002012-12-26T14:21:58.074-05:00Those look terrific! Consider me envious! :)Those look terrific! Consider me envious! :)Mary B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10378567309895085081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-16186355977532327322012-12-26T11:48:05.100-05:002012-12-26T11:48:05.100-05:00I used to do R&D and technical work for a comp...I used to do R&D and technical work for a company called Smooth-On. They make a great line of casting resins - some that are super-light, some that are clear and ready to be tinted, and some that you can add powdered metals to and end up with figures that look like cast bronze, or pewter, or what have you. the website is smooth-on.com<br />faitheroohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943703702135718338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-45670445398936649132012-12-25T21:08:19.529-05:002012-12-25T21:08:19.529-05:00If you're worried about filling the mold exact...If you're worried about filling the mold exactly halfway, you could cut one of the cubes away from the mold, then carefully mark and cut the mold at the halfway point. Then you just fill it to the top! You might have to support the sides with some crumpled up foil to keep the resin from deforming it outward until it sets, and of course if there's considerable shrinkage, you'd need to plan ahead for that and cut slightly more than half the mold free.<br /><br />For the paint, you might try painting the rim with a coat of bright white first, then the color of the glass paint might show up more intensely with fewer coats.Texpenguinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-41360388424929620152012-12-25T16:42:16.162-05:002012-12-25T16:42:16.162-05:00My thirteen year old son is practically drooling o...My thirteen year old son is practically drooling over these! If you do make more and do a giveaway please please please! Helen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-78111172232977239942012-12-25T16:29:40.621-05:002012-12-25T16:29:40.621-05:00I have no crafting advice, because the height of m...I have no crafting advice, because the height of my crafting expertise is making plarn stuff, but I wanted to say that Mr. Haiku got this ice cube tray for Christmas. I can't wait to show him how useful it can be.Haiku Joynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-77202664513634700602012-12-25T08:31:35.511-05:002012-12-25T08:31:35.511-05:00You may be able to skip the "cut in half"...You may be able to skip the "cut in half" step by only filling the ice cube trays half full. (Maybe. Depends on how level they end up.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-61591591661961804912012-12-25T00:45:18.548-05:002012-12-25T00:45:18.548-05:00Have you ever tried mixing white glue (like Elmer&...Have you ever tried mixing white glue (like Elmer's) with food coloring? I've seen it used to give plain glass the look of colored glazed glass. Worth a shot!Emihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16769261071378033541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-32860370249779211802012-12-24T23:17:23.074-05:002012-12-24T23:17:23.074-05:00Jen, this is so dangerous! There are waaay too man...Jen, this is so dangerous! There are waaay too many awesome ice cube trays I'd love to try this on! :)<br />I'm going to have to check out the resin you used. Stephanie Kotkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16891670263638704551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-71437652443742740792012-12-24T21:13:18.998-05:002012-12-24T21:13:18.998-05:00Hi Jen!
So I've done a little research, and a ...Hi Jen!<br />So I've done a little research, and a quick DIY for turning your oval mirrors into front-surface mirrors is to remove the gray backing from your mirrors using liquid paint stripper, and cleaning off the paint stripper using acetone. The backside of your mirror is now the front. Note, however, that paint stripper will dissolve acrylic if you leave it on for too long (mirror is made of acrylic), so be careful and fast.Toria O.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-86974940982280806572012-12-24T18:10:39.899-05:002012-12-24T18:10:39.899-05:00use a hot glue gun over paint, it'll give it a...use a hot glue gun over paint, it'll give it a neat 3 dimensional effect and before the glue dries, drag it with a toothpic for the flames. test it on paper first though to get the hang of it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13344111005974600948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-64691484701521007932012-12-24T17:58:30.863-05:002012-12-24T17:58:30.863-05:00I don't know why it wouldn't let me commen...I don't know why it wouldn't let me comment earlier, but you might consider modeling your portals after the original Portal logo. Just a couple streaks of a slightly tighter curve may help get the look you're going for. Google images will help you see what I'm saying.Beccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-79876874907923323292012-12-24T14:41:45.085-05:002012-12-24T14:41:45.085-05:00I LOVE these! Definitely going to have to make so...I LOVE these! Definitely going to have to make some myself. Wanted to try out some casting for a while, and this seems like a great starter project too. :)Jenhttp://sewfrustrating.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-72955232549814643712012-12-24T14:24:43.961-05:002012-12-24T14:24:43.961-05:00Baking the mirrors at 250 Farenheit for 30-60 minu...Baking the mirrors at 250 Farenheit for 30-60 minutes should help stop it from chipping. I used this method for Christmas ornaments. Just make sure your paint won't change color in the oven.Carolinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83867992793724022172012-12-24T13:32:27.292-05:002012-12-24T13:32:27.292-05:00I think maybe doing layers of paint, sponged on th...I think maybe doing layers of paint, sponged on the edges, might give you the effect you're looking for. Work your way in from the outer edge, starting with lighter paints and working inward with a slightly deeper shade of orange or blue. Sponging on will hopefully allow you to get some blending between each shade. You can clean up the inner edge of your rim so it's nice and sharp, and then use a paintbrush to make a solid inner line. (Since you don't want a FUZZY flame, gotta get those clean lines!)wumpleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03355595219057141112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-67382937642830489052012-12-24T13:28:31.666-05:002012-12-24T13:28:31.666-05:00@ Toria & Paul - I hadn't even heard of fr...@ Toria & Paul - I hadn't even heard of front-surface mirrors, but that makes sense! Of course, finding them in a 4X3 oval would be the real trick - unless I can use something to turn *these* into front-surface ones.<br /><br />@ Anony - I originally wanted to cut the cubes at a 45 angle, but you're right that it would be a lot trickier to cut. I may have to try it next, tho!<br /><br />@ Alison - filling the tray half way *would* work, yes - I'd just have to get the halfway mark exactly right. That's a little harder, & would take twice the time for two half-cubes, but the advantage would be no flat side on the bottom of each half. Right now my cube bottoms are smooth, since those were the top of my mold. (If that makes sense...)<br /><br />@ Anony - No, the tray mold includes 5 of the 6 sides of the cube, so the bottoms of my cube halves(which were the open top of the mold) are smooth. However, as Alison pointed out, if you filled the mold half way you wouldn't have to cut it, and your only smooth side would be the one attached the mirror.<br /><br />And to the rest of you: thanks for all the painting tips! I think I'll be spending my Christmas experimenting. :)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-26524803832735212652012-12-24T13:26:42.812-05:002012-12-24T13:26:42.812-05:00I love this post! I've been wanting to make my...I love this post! I've been wanting to make my own weighted companion cube paperweight for while now and had just discovered the ice cube tray recently. I was hoping it would work, but now that I've seen your companion cubes, I'm convinced. Now I need to buy supplies!yzassrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-24530120929859581282012-12-24T11:30:06.444-05:002012-12-24T11:30:06.444-05:00Those are great, Jen! One technique you can try wi...Those are great, Jen! One technique you can try with the paint is to blow on it with a straw while it's wet. The technique is demonstrated here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xj5HJ3fGeM though you'd want to use thicker paint, and blow softer so it doesn't branch quite as much.Murianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-42520854900417499492012-12-24T11:26:28.061-05:002012-12-24T11:26:28.061-05:00How did you get the cube to cast the right shape o...How did you get the cube to cast the right shape on all six sides?<br />.....or did you?<br /><br />-AwesomeAudAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-15754282619406673792012-12-24T10:54:48.321-05:002012-12-24T10:54:48.321-05:00I've done flamey-smokey-type edges before on s...I've done flamey-smokey-type edges before on some things, and what I did was to take a q-tip, tug on the cotton on one end a little to pull out multiple little wisps, and then use it to paint. A little twist and twirl action on it creates some really impressive flame tips. For a bigger project I used a cotton ball hot-glued to a disposable chopstick to make a giant q-tip. Worked great!Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817912475251054871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20379140824569300282012-12-24T10:49:19.566-05:002012-12-24T10:49:19.566-05:00Nice project...if you ever make more, you might tr...Nice project...if you ever make more, you might try to get front-silvered mirrors (also called front-surface mirrors or first-surface mirrors). They have the reflective coating on the front of the surface instead of the back, so you won't get a gap between the real cube and the reflection. --paulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-82797143281228456622012-12-24T10:00:19.899-05:002012-12-24T10:00:19.899-05:00These are great!! I wonder what would happen if y...These are great!! I wonder what would happen if you cut the cubes on a bias?Brooke (Crackers on the Couch)http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-78951846229945198852012-12-24T09:32:54.974-05:002012-12-24T09:32:54.974-05:00There is a painting technique used with acrylics t...There is a painting technique used with acrylics that I have done on wood and canvas. I learned it at my local library and we made these incredibly cheesy mouse-in-a-stocking ornaments. Imagine 1980's craft fair style and you are in the correct playbook.<br /><br />I want to say the technique was called 'color flow' but that may be completely wrong. And since you used to do wall painting stuff professionally I would guess you would be much much better at it than I was. And have probably used it. <br /><br />But in any case, it was a wet brush technique where you left half the flat brush empty and just loaded the other end, then blotted a bit on a paper towel. Then when you swipe the painted edge of your brush along the line, the paint very gradually faded to nothing. Not sure this would work at all on glass, but it might be worth a try.Shelley in So. Illinoisnoreply@blogger.com