Join me in building snow and ice icicles.
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Choose your post or mount, seal with Deft or similar sealer. This will help block the staining. Spread out a sheet of the Saran on a smooth surface. Pile some of the sand smooth out. ( see picture) Do not make it too thick. You can add more later. Mist it with water till the pile is damp. Use Elmer's glue full strength on surface to put snow on, spread smooth. Turn the wood piece upside down into the sand. Pick up the edges of the wrap to pull the sand tightly around the post. Lay it back down and using the eyedropper drop the 50/50 glue solution around the edges. Continue until fully saturated. Pick up the Saran carefully and tuck it under the rubber band. When you have all the edges securely under the rubber band pick it up and place in the palm of your hand and shape the edges, set down to dry for at least a day.
Very carefully remove the wrap after you cut the rubber band away, Be sure and cut it and do not peel it away. Otherwise it will crumble away because the sand is still very damp. Allow to dry for 2 days.
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As you can see in the pictures some touch up is needed. But this is very easy. For the discoloration use some very white acrylic paint, thinned 50/50 and carefully paint those areas, while wet sprinkle sand over it. Shape with your finger, when you are pleased with the look, mist lightly with water till damp, then using the dropper drop some glue mix all over. This may take a couple of attempts to get it just right. Build up the sand till it is just right for you. Mist and add glue to each step. The great result is that you get sparkling snow that will stay white for years. |
Now on to make the ice icicles.
Hope this has given you some of your own ideas and will experiment some.
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Wrap the line on a box. (see Picture) Mix the epoxy using a stick, stir slowly and try not to make bubbles in it. Scoop up and put it on the top of the line and allow to drip down. First application will not look very good, patience! Allow to set. Redo again, will take at least 3 applications. Let set for a couple of days to get rid of stickiness. Cut off using dyke pliers. Now pick the one you like, attach the large drip up under the edge of the snow and glue with epoxy. If you can turn upside down till set or use blue tape to hold in place. Now you will see that these are for small drips, see below for larger icicles.
Using Saran, gather it up into a fan , lay on a cardboard, spread out some, (see picture) tape down each end. Mix up epoxy, keep bubbles to minimum. Now pool it up in the pleats one drop at a time, carefully to start the icicle. Try to keep it off the high side of the pleats. Tip it up so ti starts a run down the sheet. Now take a tool with a point and coax it to a point. Lay flat to set up. Redo at least 3 times allowing it to set each time. Now is the fun part, the icicle will not stick to the wrap, carefully pull off. If it is not perfect, no worry. Sand to point and clean up the edges. You will use it with the side that was next to the wrap as the outside side. Smooth and wet looking. End up with a dull spot due to sanding, mix some epoxy up and cover those edges and it will remain smooth and glossy.
Now on to finishing the birds to add to the snow scene.
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