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The Birdseye:  Ideate, Frame, Paper & Illuminate..

Ideation: 

In the Beginning Was the id

Most Importantly:
  Create Your Inspiration.
 
Consider what you would enjoy seeing illuminated in the streets of Destiny: Choose the experience (include friends & family if you want); then create the experience.
 
y14's Theme: The Soil of Earth
Previous Years to Consider:
y13 The Oceanic
y12 The Stellar Galactic Zü of Life
Create whatever inspires your mind.
Example from The Oceanic 2013:
The Nautilus by River Meschi

Framing

Id's All in the Form

Materials
*Round Reed via Google or Amazon.  The higher the weight (#), the thicker the reed.  We prefer #5 at the smallest, #6 is a nice strength and #7 is strong for larger projects. Finer reed is used for detail and accents.
 
*Hot Glue & Gun or High Quality Tape
Application
Twist read to form, gluing or taping joints as you go. Working in small sections is an effective method for keeping perspective. As the form grows, very often people take new directions as they go along; the reed bends and change happens organically.  Krakens become penguins and fish become giant seahorses (see pic above)  Out of the unexpected come some of our favorite creations. Be patient, but expect to learn quickly - most people pick it up in 5 or 10 minues.

Papering Happens in Two Stages: The 'Skin' & Final Paper 

 

The Skin

Foundation Layer

Materials
*Tracing Paper available online.  We haven't found one that hasn't worked, but consider choosing a lighter color - Bright White has worked best (the tan color can show through the final papering).
 
*White Glue  (Like Elmer's).
*4" White Chinese Bristlechip Brush (here), or similar.
*Scissors or Razor Blade
Application
Pour glue into a bowl, place your luminaria on a protected surface (so glue doesn't get on it) and ready your brush.  Tear or cut a piece of tracing paper so that it is a manageable size for you; a normal size covers 4-8 'sections' of most luminaria.  Brush glue on the edges all around the area you plan to cover - leave no read exposed. Lay the tracing paper over the section(s) you are papering, stretch paper to be as wrinkle-free as possible and press paper into the glued reed, so that it firmly adheres with no raised or missed sections.  Allow it to dry, then cut excess paper away.  Multiple-section skinning is possible, as is cutting away excess paper while the glue is still wet, but these techniques may require practice.

Final Paper

Top / Visible Layer

Materials
*Thai Unryu (rice paper) available at Daniel Smith in Seattle or their store online. Note dimensions; purchase 1 more sheet than you think you need.
 
*Tissue paper or other suitable material (inquire)
*White Glue  (Like Elmer's).
*4" White Chinese Bristlechip Brush (here), or similar.
*Water
Application
Dilute water and glue in a 1:1 ratio to start; thicken as desired, mix thoroughly.  With your brush, spread the glue/water over the area you're papering - coverage, not quantity of material used is the key here. Carefully lay your rice paper or other medium over the section(s) you are working on, then brush a final application of glue/water mix over the outer layer, smoothing it out as you brush. Let the paper dry while you work on another section, and when you are able, cut the excess paper away at the edges.  Paper cuttings can be re-used and layered in a mosaic style. Allow to dry.

The Final Step: Illumination

 

Consider Donating Extra Materials to us: They will ensure that less fortunate others will be able to participate, too, creating more delight for everyone.

Email me or drop them off at Good Karma Center for Joy, in Tacoma.

Light id uP..

The Aura of the Form

Materials
A battery operated light source
 
A broad range of lights exists; determine the style most appropriate for your creation.
 
Lights with Timers allow home use with less battery wear.
 
Cheap, $1-3 lights can be found at Fred Meyers and other convenience stores.
Application
String, clip or otherwise attach the light(s) to the inside of your creation, turn them on and join us in the streets of Olympia on April 25 and in Wright Park near sundown,
 
     Festivus Saturday, 20 Sept 14
 
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