To create my logo shaker I need to prepare 3 layers of artwork. You will see how these come together later.
I create the artworks in black on a transparent background, then save them as .PNG files
I will convert the .PNG files to .SVG files in the next stage, but if you know how to use vector graphics software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape, then you can create your artwork in that and skip the next stage.
I am using Vector Magic to convert my three .PNG files into .SVG files (Scalable Vector Graphics)
The .SVG files can now be loaded into a 3D design program such as TinkerCAD, which is free (and very easy) to use
First I load the base layer and adjust the thickness to 2mm
Then I load the middle layer, also 2mm, and stack it on top of the base
Finally is the top layer, also 2mm, and stacked on top of the other two
I save the file as a .STL file (Stereolithography file)
The .STL file can now be loaded into my 3D printers 'slicing' software, to prepare it ready for print
Phew! After all that, the design is now ready to print. My printer uses liquid resin, which is cured one layer at a time using UV light.
The freshly printed shaker blank is washed in Isopropyl Alcohol. I DO NOT TOUCH the uncured resin with my hands at any time.
When the blank is fully cleaned of residue, it goes under a UV lamp for 10 minutes to complete the cure
No touchy touchy!
The finished shaker blank
To make a silicone mould of the blank, I first stick it down to a piece of self-adhesive vinyl...
Then form some walls using 3mm foamex board
All the joins are sealed with hot melt glue
I have weighed 70g of moulding silicone , and added the maximum allowable catalyst as per the manufacturers instructions
I like to brush silicone into any detailed parts first, then drizzle the rest from a height to help burst any air bubbles
After 24 hours the silicone is fully cured
For this project I'm using my usual epoxy art resin, which has a 2A:1B mix ratio by weight
I pour a small amount of the resin into a second pot, and add a drop of white acrylic paint to colour it
The rest of the resin is coloured with only holographic glitter
The white resin is used to fill the letter 'A', and the rest will form a thin layer around the frame
Remember glitter usually sinks in resin, which is perfect for this application
When the first pour of resin has gelled, I mix another pot then add black glitter and a tiny pinch of black mica powder
To get this far has involved a lot of stages, but each stage in itself is really not that difficult
You can of course buy ready-made shaker moulds, and I will be using a few of those in future videos
While that cures I will make my hand cast - get ready!
450g of the cheapest alginate I could find on the internet
1500ml of room temperature water as per the instructions on the bag
Mix quickly in a large bowl
Is it naturally that colour or did somebody choose to make it look like vomit?
Starting to wish I used a bigger bowl :/
Somebody suggested in the reviews using an electric hand mixer
Let's give it a try
Like making a cake :P
This stuff sets super-fast, so only be mixing for a minute
Eeeeurghhhhhhhhh....!!!
I have a little mixing stick between my thumb and finger to ensure correct spacing to hold the shaker
5 minutes later (feels like 2 hours)
Wiggle wiggle jiggle it
Plop!
I bought a 1Kg bag of stonecast powder and mixed the lot, although half of it would have been enough :/
That was 500ml of tap water as per the instructions on the bag
I'm thinking about starting a new channel...
'Cooking with resinAce'
Adding boiling water to a cup noodle counts as cooking, right?!
By the way, alginate moulds must be used within 4 hours, then they start to deteriorate rapidly, so don't hang around to pour your cast
Tap tap tap tap tap tap
Get them bubbles!
This stonecast sets in 30 minutes. The mould is a one-hit-wonder, and is destroyed to remove the cast.
I wish this was made of cheese
Sorry, that was just me thinking out loud... :/
De-moulding one of your own body parts is kinda freaky
There's the little stick I told you about
Is my hand really that big??!
I am a giant for sure
Thank goodness, back in my comfort zone :D
I drill a 0.8mm hole in the top of the shaker to fill it later
A piece of transparency film is cut to size, to fit the shaker
It should just stop short of the edge of the shaker by 1-2mm
Time to fill the shaker with fimo cane slices and beads
Smiley faces to remind me of my subscribers :D
Some love hearts, panda bears, snowflakes, sprinkles, cake, pearl beads, and a naughty pupper
I apply a very thin bead of UV resin around the inner edge of the shaker then fit the transparency film into place
Thank you to MIDNYTE MELODY for suggesting this video. If you would like to suggest an idea for a future video, please let me know in the comments.
One last pot of resin to dome the surface. I let it thicken a little before pouring.
Working on a silicone mat in case of spillages
Apply just enough resin that you have to encourage it to the edge
I use a syringe with a fine nozzle (orange colour code) to fill the shaker with white mineral oil
To plug the hole I use a small screw eyelet dipped in UV resin
Finally finished!
Thank you for joining me for another video. See you next time :D
[Alexa] I'm sure that will home in handy for something
[Alexa] We need a new door stop