How To Make Your Own Silkscreen

Of course there are many, many tutorials online for how to do this, but I just have to add my own.


I wanted to make my own screen because a 24" x 24" screen is ridiculously large and impossible to use when you're working on a 1" x 1" scale.



You Will Need:
1 Picture Frame (with a flat surface ideally)
Screen Mesh or a Gauzy Curtain
Staple Gun
A Helping Hand


Step One

Take your picture frame apart, being sure to take out any metal bits. If there are any broken splints of wood they'll tear the screen, so cover them with some electrical tape.





Step Two

Place the frame over your mesh and cut an at least one inch border around it.





Step Three

Like when you stretch canvas, you want to put a staple in the very middle of one of the picture frame sides. Then you flip the frame over, pull the screen taut, put a staple in the middle of that side, and continue on to the other two sides. As you repeat this process you staple out towards the edges, pulling as you go. This assures the screen will be as taut as possible.



Step Four
Trim the excess fabric if it's in the way, but don't cut too close to the staples, or it will end up fraying out.



When your silk screen is complete you can apply pictures to it in many different ways! Click "Read More" to see them!

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Silicone Demo

What You Need:
-Silicone type 1 (The stinkier and nastier the better!)
-Something pretty that you want to make a mold of (handmade or a found object)
-Water
-Soap
-A marker
-A base to build your mold on

 So I never forget lol, here are the pictures I took during Paula's silicone mold demo! This is the silicone you want~

 

Step 1: Attach your object firmly to the ground (err plastic sheet) with the use of clay. Draw an edge around your object - about an inch thick - so that after it's covered with silicone, you can keep track of your object/mold. Mark ahead of time where you are going to make the incision!

Step 2: USE SOAP! Soap up your object. You also want soap and water to be all up your arms. Lest awful, awful things will happen.

 

Step 3: It is easier when working with someone so you don't have to rush. Keep your hands UNDER the water, squirt the silicone into the water. Knead it together.

Step 4: Pat the silicone onto your object. Work quickly. Poke any air bubbles with a tooth pick.

By the way, don't try to make a silicone mold of a brass object if you care about it.

Step 5: Push the material up, force it to defy gravity and do what you want!

Step 6: Use a sheet of glass to make a nice flat spot on the bottom of your mold.

Step 7: When you de-mold - DO THIS IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS! - You want to cut your incision line in a zig zag. Only make your line as long as it has to be.When pouring wax into this mold, hold this zig zag incision together with T pins - they don't hurt your fingers :D.

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