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hello,
i've been a passive reader and admirer of works in this wonderful website for quite a long time.
now, when i've started working with pm again, i've encountered a problem (which i knew would occur).
I've been trying to make a mirror frame - a small one, to practice.
i used a cardboard as a base for the mirror and pm.
As i've expected, the cardboard didn't stay flat.
I've tried white glue on the other side, but it has'nt helped.
Is there a way to "save" this work?
Thanks,
yul
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There probably isn't a way of saving that one, but put it down to experience and try another sample. You need to achieve either a 'ply' situation - imagine the card base as the middle of a sandwich, if you put something on one side (pm) you need to put something - simple strip pm, for example, on the other side. Glue isn't enough on its own, and even then you might still have a problem. You could glue three sheets of corrugated card together, then cut out your frame, have the middle sheet corrugations going the opposite way to the others, that should hold rigid when you pm it.
Alternatively you have to create either folds or bends in the card to make it rigid. For a straight sided mirror you could create 'square tubes' for the sides, which will remain rigid (you really need pictures to explain this!) or if you want a shaped mirror frame, cut profiles out of thick corrugated card and glue them across the background shape (on edge) then when dry, pm between the profiles. I suspect that only makes sense to me! Good luck.
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Thank you, Aquarius.
If i try to glue this cardboard to another more rigid surface, and fill in the sides with pm, do you think it could help?
thanks, yul
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hi yul,
when i work with cardboard i usually cover it with a layer of masking tape to prevent warping and then apply strips over that.
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Yul, it depends on what kind of board you used and how it is distorted. Also what you stick it to. If you stuck it to really good quality corrugated card with a double layer of corrugation you might get away with it, you will have to dry it with clamps or under pressure though. Particle board, Medite, non-corrugated card will probably all bend too.
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Hi yul
when you say base do you mean you have backed it with carbooard ?.
I make alot of mirrors (susan Oldfield in the gallery page 1) After one mishap with carboard I always back them with hard board and papier mache over. you can make box frames for mirrors using cardboard but use a stiff thick card like packing boxes and as EllenEggers said use masking tape to tape it up.
Sue.
Last edited by snoozysnowshoes (2007-08-25 16:32:10)
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Hi Sue,
i really like your works, especially the mirrors.
thanks for your advice.
i'll try this next time.
are frames made of pm suitable for bathrooms?
i really like to make a couple for my new bathrooms.
thanks, yul
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Hi, Aquarius,
Thanks for your reply and advice.
yul
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If you use a good varnish one designed for outdoor use it should be ok, but you have to make sure it is covered well all over and every tiny gap between the mirror and the papier mache is sealed with the vanish as it will start to go mouldy. I don't sell mine as bathroom mirrors just in case. Go for at least 3 coats.
Sue.
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I intend to try coating cardboard or masonite with true shellac before I start adding the papier mache. Shellac is non-toxic when dry, its base is alcohol, and although not truly waterPROOF, it is highly water-resistent. I will be applying it to both sides to try to prevent initial warping.
Sue
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