This will get things mixing properly and also show you where your chosen color combo is heading. If you totally fill your container with water first and then try dumping a bunch of glitter in, the glitter may fail to break the surface tension of the water and just pile and up and out (all over you).Ĭap your container and Shake after each addition. Using warm tap water in your container will help break up the glue.Īdd a little glitter, add a little water. If you don't have glitter glues, you can add regular school glue (white or transparent) to a water + glitter mix to add some viscosity. Don't fret! Just shake it up (or don't! Try looking at this globs through the kaleidoscope and see if it gives you a lava lamp type effect). Glitter Glue squeezed into water will look like little organs preserved in a science lab jar. Here are a few tips I have to give after mixing several cartridges myself: I encourage you to play around and find your own methods for mixing.

You want to fill each cartridge with a variety of not only colors, but weights and consistencies.

You will notice your glitter stays suspended a bit longer than loose glitter alone. The glue will break down in the water but will remain a bit viscous, causing a different sort of motion than loose glitter. Glitter glues are a great addition to your cartridge mixes. Heavier items like beads will fall quickly, but they do add visual interest. Consider different weights of loose glitter (chunky, regular, ultra fine), shaped metallic confetti, and even small seed beads. I suggest doing this test over/near the sink in case one proves to be leaky.įilling combinations are nearly limitless. My first container, a mini hand sanitizer bottle, is being tested in the first photo. A short, wide container that covers the entire lens will provide total color coverage and your morphing patterns will come from the glitters and confettis you put in the mix.Īs a test, fill your chosen containers with water, cap, and turn up side down. Long skinny containers like a spice vial will cover only the center of your lens and create a network of lines and triangles. Note that different vessel shapes will affect the patterns of your visuals. Plastic vitamin bottles, mini booze bottles, spice containers, travel size lotion bottles, and other small plastic vessels are perfect for housing your custom glitter and confetti mixes (as long as they have a tight sealing cap). Survey what is about to head to your recycling bin. You want to clear any fingerprint grease or debris from these surfaces before we assemble the kaleidoscope body, as that would be much trickier to clean. When this step is finished, give the mirrored sides a good rub with a cotton dish towel. Be mindful of excess spray mount on the surrounding newspaper so you don't smear it on to your mirrored surfaces. Press flat with the clean palm of your hand. Quickly position your mirror panels, one on top of each mat piece. *Always use spray products in a well ventilated area, with scrap newspaper or other surface protector underneath.Īpply a light dusting of spray mount to the mat board pieces. To bond the pieces together without excess moisture or buckling, I decided spray mount would be best. Hold your ruler steady and always be mindful of your hand placement so you don't cut yourself. Since your mat is thick it may take several passes to cut all the way through. Repeat measurements or trace your mirror panels onto your mat board.Ĭut out with a craft blade. To add some strength and durability, I decided to back each piece with thick mat board. More than likely a foil card stock like this will be on the thinner side.

Seeing kaleidoscope in one eye