I don't think I can put into words how thrilling it was to create my very first handmade bowl. Now it might look flimsy, but it is strengthened to handle quite a bit of weight.
It currently sits atop my workspace holding an assortment of crafting supplies - a whole lot of washi tape, some pens and pencils, metallic wax and some small bottles of paint.
I will take you through my steps of creating it and strengthening it to make it even more durable.
What you'll need:
* Quilling strips - I used 3mm strips here but I would suggest going with the 5mm instead
* Clear drying PVA glue
( Use the strongest one available. It'll help strengthen your work. I used carpenters glue - super strength and clear drying)
* Quilling tool
* Cling wrap
* A bowl - preferably a glass one
* A flat paintbrush
Depending on the size of your bowl, you'll need to make your pegs. Since I was going for the retro look, I joined quilling strips of different colours and then quilled them into pegs.
I also made pegs of different sizes so that it doesn't look completely uniform. My bowl was quite large so I had to make over 200 pegs which took quite a while. But thanks to Netflix it didn't feel that long or arduous.
Now while I don't have a picture of my work in progress, it's pretty straightforward.
Once your pegs are ready, over turn your bowl. ( The smoother the bowl the easier it will be to work on.) Cover the bowl with at least 3 layers of cling wrap. Starting at the bottom of the bowl (which is now the top) stick your quilled pegs to each other. You can also apply some glue to the cling wrap to help it stick easier but don't add too much because the pegs might just start to slide all over the place.
Once you're done sticking your pegs prepare a mixture of 2 parts glue and 1 part water in a small bowl. The glue I was using was super thick and this watered it down to the consistency of thick ketchup. So that's the consistency we're going for.
Using the flat brush give your bowl 2-3 washes of glue mix twice or thrice a day - allowing it to dry completely between each application. I did mine for 3 days, thrice a day.
Leave it to dry for 24 hours. Gently pull back the cling wrap.
If it gets stuck, don't worry, just leverage it a little, very gently, with a butter knife. Peel off the cling wrap. And give the inside of your quilled bowl 2-3 washes of glue mix twice or thrice a day - allowing it to dry completely between each application.
If after this, you still feel the glue hasn't strengthened the bowl, give it one final application inside and out with unwatered down glue. And hopefully that helps.
As always, remember to have fun while being creative.
xoxo
Karen.
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