MINITURE ACRYLIC
AQUARIUMS
Suppy List
1. Clear acrylic container with lid
2. Clear aquarium type silicone sealer
3. Stamped/colored image(s)
SEE OUR LINE OF "FROM THE SEA" IMAGES
HERE:
FROM
THE SEA
(Page
36 Above)
4. Heavy weight laminating sheets
5. Various embellishments...shells,
seaglass, glitter, charms, shrink plastic images, plastic plants.
6. Decorative paper
7. Acrylic/Luminere paints
8. Scissors/pencil/paper glue
DIRECTIONS
1. Make sure you have plenty of newspaper
on hand.
2. Select a clear acrylic box or jar
to use. The shape and size will determine what all can be incorporated
into your AQUARIUM. Empty, clear, plastic embossing jars work great, though
your image inside will have to be small. You must have a tight fitting
lid that can be sealed water tight.
3. The outside of the box may be finished
before or after the whole thing is assembled, but if you choose to use
acrylic paint, it can be drying while some of the other steps are being
done. Either paint with a brush or sponge with a sea sponge, covering the
perimeter of the box. Also paint the outside rim of the lid. This will
help channel the light into your box and create a feeling of depth. The
sides of the box may be completely opaque or slightly translucent.
If you are using a smaller container, you may paint the lid if you like,
but it is generally best to leave the clear acrylic part without being
painted or covered.
3. For the round/flat box, either sponge
additional paint on the outside flat surface of the lid.
4. Choose an image that will fit the
container you chose. Stamp the image on cardstock or paper and color the
image as you wish.
(just in case water comes in contact
with your image, use colored pencils or some other non water soluble media)
Shrink plastic images work great for smaller containers.
5. Carefully cut out the image and
laminate it between two heavy sheets of clear laminate. Cut very carefully
just outside the edge of where the two sheets of laminate have sealed.
Because of the thickness of the cardstock, there will be a small margin
surrounding your image. This will not show after the box is assembled.
Lay your laminated image aside for now.
6. Gather together whatever shells,
seaglass, rocks or other embellishment you will be using on the inside
and arrange them on the inside of the box along the bottom. You can use
plastic aquarium plants or small twisted bits of colored wire to make "sea
plants". When you have planned your arrangement as you want it, attach
each piece to the inside of the box using a small bit of aquarium sealer.
7. Add your laminated/stamped
image to the inside of the box in the same manner, attaching it with a
small dab of aquarium sealer. You can use more than one image if you like,
varying the depths by building up the sealer a dab at a time. You may also
attach an image to the inside of the lid to create even more depth, but
be careful that the edges of the image do not come to close to the lip
of the lid or you will not be able to seal the aquarium shut.
9. After the aquarium sealer has cured,
it is time to fill your aquarium with water. Carefully and slowly pour
water into it using a glass or pitcher. Do not fill it completely full
but only within a 1/4" to 1/2" from the top rim. This will ensure that
no moisture gets into the lip of the lid and the seal will be watertight.
10. Now it's time to add sparkle...either
glitter, confetti or shreds...a little goes a long way. Sprinkle this on
top of the water, making sure that none of it adhers to the outside rim.
Like they do in snowglobes.
11. Very carefully run a good sized
bead of aquarium sealer around the inside edge of the lid. Make *sure*
there are no breaks in the sealer and carefully ease it onto the box, pressing
firmly down.
12. Now it's wait time again. 24 hours
seems like forever, but it's really best to wait until the aquarium sealer
is completely set before turning your aquarium right side up to look.
13. If you would like your aquarium
to stand up, you can glue two small shells on the outside of the box
for little feet. You can also add additional shells or embellishment to
the outside of the box.
Be Warned! You will want to make many
of these little creations!
AQUARIUM IMAGE IDEAS:
...but
we have plenty more
