A (naturally) amber-coloured hard bioresin, gelatin-based.
a cotton and alginate-based composite with open structure, molded onto a half dome shape
### Physical form
Solids
Color without additives: transparent, yellow/orange/amber colored.
Color without additives: color of the yarn used
### Fabrication time
Preparation time: 1 Hour
Preparation time: 1 hour (plus resting overnight)
Processing time: 5-10 days
Processing time: 5-7 days
Need attention: None, just leave it to dry as long as is feasible with lots of airflow.
Need attention: None, just leave it to dry in the mold with lots of airflow.
Final form achieved after: 10 days
Final form achieved after: 7 days
## Ingredients
***Gelatine powder - 96 gr**
* Functions as the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
***Glycerine - 16 gr**
* Functions as plasticizer that bonds with the gelatine (makes it flexible).
***Water - 480 ml/gr**
* To dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer
***Alginate powder - 24 gr**
* the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
***Glycerine - 40 gr**
* the plasticizer that bonds with the alginate (makes it flexible).
***Water - 800 ml/gr**
* to dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer
***Yarn - cotton, 2 metres**
* to create the net
***Calcium chloride solution 10%**
* curing agent: spraying it onto the alginate plastic starts the curing process. Use 10 gr of calcium chloride in 100gr hot water (see below)
## Tools
1.**Cooker or stove** (optional: temperature controlled)
1.**Pot**
1.**Scale**
1.**Moulds** (ideally with removeable base to increase airflow). I have modular silicon walls with metal wire inside them that allow me to cast and then turn the moulds on their side for more airflow and drying from top and bottom. I use a silicon or acrylic sheet with these mould walls.
1.**Spoon**
1.**Blender**
2.**Glass jar with lid**
3.**Spray bottle** (150 ml contents, for the calcium chloride solution)
1.**Circular loom OR: nails and a wooden board** to design the net
1.**Moulds** for shaping the net, e.g. two identical bowls that fit inside one another
2.**Acrylic sheet** to catch the excess alginate mixture (can be scooped up and reused before curing)
## Yield before processing/drying/curing
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@@ -67,7 +73,7 @@ Approx. 300 ml (make sure to evaporate a lot of water during cooking time)
1.**Casting**
- Let the liquid cool for a couple minutes until it gels a little but is still liquid and pourable.
- Let the liquid cool for a couple minutes until it gels a little but is still liquid and pourable.
- Cast into the mould slowly to avoid bubbles
- Pour from the middle and hold still, let the liquid distribute itself.
- Put the mould away to dry in a cool place with lots of air flow (like near an open window). A warmer place might speed up the drying process but also allow bacteria to grow faster and can result in fungal growth.
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@@ -106,13 +112,19 @@ The resin does not cure evenly across the surface, some might be negotiated by s
### Process
*Evaporating water until the liquid is thick like honey, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Making a net-like structure on a loom (does not have to be "proper" weaving), Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Preparing a 10% calcium chloride solution with hot water, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*The calcium chloride solution in a spray bottle, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Pouring the alginate mixture onto net, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Preparing molds for small half domes (egg cups), and a big slab (silicon mould and separate base), Loes Bogers, 2020*
*You can pour a lot and scoop up the excess to use again later, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Casting the resin (I had to put a weight on top to press the mold into the base and prevent leakage, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Alginate evenly distributed along the yarn lines, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Putting the mold on its side next to open window to allow further drying from top and bottom, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Letting the alginate net cure and dry on top of a half-dome shape, Loes Bogers, 2020*
