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Post by lindsay on Dec 20, 2019 8:21:45 GMT
I’d like to make a sprouting seed pod so I’ve wet felted the sprouting section and need to stiffen the stem to make it stand up. The leaves are well fulled so stand up on their own but the stem will need some help. I’ve left the other end of the stem unfelted so far so I can incorporate it into the pod. Having looked through the forum archive I’ve bought some GAC 500 and would appreciate any advice about how to use this as a stiffener on this piece. Should I make the pod and felt the stem in before trying to stiffen it? Is it likely to need a 50:50 mix with water to stand up? Anything else I need to think about? Any thoughts much appreciated. A picture www.ipernity.com/doc/2373440/49560084with a pen for scale www.ipernity.com/doc/2373440/49560088 |
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Post by MTRuth on Dec 20, 2019 14:24:48 GMT
I would wait until everything is felted and complete before stiffening.
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Post by Shepherdess on Dec 20, 2019 16:43:15 GMT
I think after would be best. then you can set it exacly how yo want it and it won;t be getting wet and abused
during the felting.
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Shana
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by Shana on Dec 26, 2019 15:19:20 GMT
Having looked through the forum archive I’ve bought some GAC 500 and would appreciate any advice about how to use this as a stiffener on this piece. Should I make the pod and felt the stem in before trying to stiffen it? Is it likely to need a 50:50 mix with water to stand up? Anything else I need to think about? Any thoughts much appreciated. Hi Lindsay, If you haven't already stiffened the stem, I'd suggest you do some samples with different dilutions of the GAC. At 100% (non-diluted) it will be at it's strongest but will probably look plastic. At 50%/50% it will look great, but maybe not hold like you want it to. I have one sculpture that relied completely on the GAC for structure/stiffness and now at 5 or 6 years old is starting to wilt. Once you apply the GAC you should not get it wet again. That's a whole heap of trouble. |
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Post by Shepherdess on Dec 27, 2019 12:34:30 GMT
Maybe paverpol would be better they have an outdoor one. Something that can't get wet will take up moisture if you live in high humidity area.
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Post by lindsay on Dec 30, 2019 8:21:40 GMT
Hi Lindsay, If you haven't already stiffened the stem, I'd suggest you do some samples with different dilutions of the GAC. At 100% (non-diluted) it will be at it's strongest but will probably look plastic. At 50%/50% it will look great, but maybe not hold like you want it to. I have one sculpture that relied completely on the GAC for structure/stiffness and now at 5 or 6 years old is starting to wilt. Once you apply the GAC you should not get it wet again. That's a whole heap of trouble. Many thanks for the advice, Shana. I definitely should make samples. In fact this was going to be a sample but I got a bit carried away! I think the 50:50 sounds about right but I shouldn’t assume. Good point about it not getting wet again. Hadn’t quite thought that through. |
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Post by lindsay on Dec 30, 2019 8:27:09 GMT
Maybe paverpol would be better they have an outdoor one. Something that can't get wet will take up moisture if you live in high humidity area. Thank you, Ann. If the GAC doesn’t work I will try Paverpol. I’m intending this for indoor only so it shouldn’t be too challenged by the environment but you can never be sure. I’m hoping to submit a group of related pieces to an exhibition so I’ve got a lot of experimentation to do before I get to that stage, if I ever do! |
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kelly
Junior Member
Posts: 12
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Post by kelly on Jan 8, 2020 22:31:51 GMT
I believe the Paverpol takes a week to cure before it’s waterproof? What about wrapping a wire around the stem? Add a charm or cover with more wool?
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Post by lindsay on Jan 8, 2020 23:29:50 GMT
I believe the Paverpol takes a week to cure before it’s waterproof? What about wrapping a wire around the stem? Add a charm or cover with more wool? Thank you for replying, Kelly. I’ve thought about felting wire inside a stem, which I may try if the stiffener I’m trying doesn’t suit. On this piece I want it to look as natural / organic as possible so wire wrapped around would, I think, detract from that but I appreciate the suggestion, which may well work on another piece. |
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