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1.12.2012

traced portraits

Although I avoid buying things with obnoxious plastic packaging, it seems to find it's way into my home anyway.  I'd like to make it all go away forever, but while it's here, I'm trying to make peace with its existence. 
With plastic from a 'product pack' that came as a 'gift' for spending silly amounts of money on groceries, here is my small attempt of making something from nothing.

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The rigid plastic box made a nice little clear panel on which, with our heads inside the box, our faces could be traced upon with a permanent marker.  The idea originally came from a science museum where one participant sat behind a Plexiglas divider while the other used erasable markers to trace their face.  It's an activity in observation, perspective and hand/eye coordination, as well as entertaining. 

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The kids like to put the box on their heads and turn one of their parents' faces forward and pretend to be that person.  Also entertaining, and, sometimes, boarding on the insulting if one of us is in a bad mood.

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What to do with this plastic monstrosity that I somehow made into a keepsake?  For now it sits on the shelf, available for play.   There is some potential of turning it into a lampshade by covering the inside with tissue paper for an extremely low wattage bulb.  I could also cut the box into panels and make into a collage for the wall or window.

What do you suggest?

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(Wonky lines caused by wiggly boy.  True to spirit, even if not exactly exact.)

14 comments:

  1. That is so awesomely cool! I will keep my eyes open for any such cool trash to enter my home... Though we also try to keep as much of that stuff at bay as well.

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  2. I have made shrinky dinks from the packaging that contains lettuce. I can't remember if it is #7 plastic or what....I googled it quite a while ago! Anyway, it is a low temperature and only takes a minute or so. I've made artwork buttons and charms with it after my kids mark it up with Sharpies. If it is the same plastic, I see a myriad of possibilities....only tinier.

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  3. I love this idea. You created something quite beautiful.

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  4. Fab idea! I hate plastic too, it seems to be on bloomin everything. One shop even puts plastic windows in its paper mushroom bags just in case you forgot what you put in the bloomin bag! I now just stick the veggies on the conveyer belt in no bag at all.

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  5. Oh my! What an AMAZING idea! Thank you so much for sharing, my eldest especially will LOVE doing this!

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  6. I love the 3D effect. I was thinking of doing this with my art students, first having them experiment with watercolor (with alcohol, salt) and then have them choose their favorite to put their portrait on top of. But I don't know, I really like your 3D effect!!! It would be neat to have 3 different expressions of the same person put together. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I know the answer to this question!!!! You do it on shrinky dinks! Trace it, then shrink them and make them into magnets for your fridge. :) You're welcome! ;)

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  8. Replies
    1. YUP< SUPER FUN, or how my son says it AMAWOW

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  9. I think the lamp idea is best -- colored tissue paper modpodged inside and then a candle in a glass bowl inside would be the perfect touch!

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  10. Gotta say, pretty amazing, even though me and my family made a big mess. We put it on our refrigerator right next to a photo of us

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