11 April 2014

Make your own permanent gelli plate

I finally broke down and bought a Gelli Plate from Blicks. It hasn't come yet. Don't you know as soon as I ordered it, I stumbled on to a number of YouTube videos on making your own permanent gelli plate.
Here are the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BQo63zsvA by Edie Cournoyer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BQo63zsvA  by Lindsey the Frugalcrafter

http://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-make-gelli-plate-or-jelly-pad.html  with Shaz from the UK

I was actually so confused since they were all so different (especially Shaz) that I kind of combined the techniques.
I used 8 packets of knox gelatin
3 C ice cold water
3 T sugar
12 oz (2 bottles) of glycerin.

I mixed the gelatin and water in one container and the glycerin and sugar in another. When dissolved, I mixed them together and heated in a Pyrex bowl in the microwave (pot on the stove will work as well) in one minute increments with stirring in between 3 times (3 minutes total). I put it in a 9 X 9 brownie pan but I could have used an 8 X 13. I "may" remelt this and put it in a longer pan (not so square).

I used ProChemical and Dye ProFab fabric paint and a hard brayer. Now you have to know that I have never used a gelli plate before so I was just fooling around - actually experimenting. My goal with the gelli plate is to print some light, transparent colors into my sketchbook as backgrounds so "light" is the operative word This is what happened on paper in my sketchbook:


Paint is too heavy but I like the ghost print


Paint too heavy but I like the elastics on a roller (under feather) and the feather.


Starting to get there


Too heavy still but perhaps in a lighter color it wouldn't look so bad


Now I'm starting to get there.


I really like the right side pattern. The left is a ghost from the previous print (above)


Starting to "get it"

 Good. The left was the brayer

Nice and light

 This was the bottom of one of the paint jars. I like the way I was able to go back and retrieve the "spot" I missed and placing it outside the circle.

Now fabric paint on fabric:


The muddy colors came from using an unwashed brayer over and over with different colors. This WAS just an experiment.


Here is a print using my new tile spacer stamp and it's ghost print. I DO like that stamp.



Heat setting with parchment paper on high


Half of my ProFab fabric paint.


The unmolded gelli plate. On the right side I tried to cut a straight line. Not so successful so I left it alone.


Back in it's pan for storage (in the room, not the refrigerator). I will cover with "Press and Seal". Please notice the great "Journey Bracelet" next to my highlighter. It was a gift from  a new online friend, Laura. I had sent her two balls of crochet thread to dye and she sent her own handmade (by her) Journey Bracelet. Thank you Laura.




7 comments:

  1. You seem to have had a great time using your home made Gelli plate. I too decided to buy one a few weeks ago and will be experimenting myself this weekend - the spacer tiles for stamping is a great idea!

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  2. Wow! Love your experiments! I haven't used my Gelli plate much since I first got it... might be time to break it out and play! And congrats on making your own plate - I'm sure having more than one will be nice!

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  3. WOW! Who knew that you could make one at home that was more durable than the plain gelatin ones. Love your experiments. Let us know how long you can use this one.

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  4. I will post updates on the durability and longevity of the gelli plate. I can also just melt it and start over too!!

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  5. What a beautiful gelliplate. I have made one with just gellipowder, water and glycerine. But I have stored it in the fridge. Perhaps I can put it in the cellar.

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  6. Looks very good, interesting! Thank you for sharing!

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