Create and Improve

Day #1

Plan: Collect and bring the materials needed. Begin making the prototype of the lampshade. Document the process by taking pictures and videos. Write blog post #1

Actual thing I did: After collecting the materials, I began to create my first prototype following this tutorial:

However, unlike the video, my string could not stay in place and wrap around the balloon. I wondered if it was because the balloon I blew was too big, which would prevent the string from applying pressure to the balloon and having a firmer grip as it would be too inflated. I tried again with a smaller balloon. This time the hemp string held onto the balloon for longer, but it eventually slipped off again. So, I decided to try it with a thinner string thinking it would be more malleable and soak up the glue and water solution better for a better grip on the balloon instead of holding on to the string like the first balloon. So, I tried again for the third time. It worked better than both of the trials before, but it still eventually slipped.

Day #2

Plan:  Finish find the perfect technique to use to make the lampshade with prototypes and begin making the actual product, documenting the process along the way. Write blog post #2

Actual thing I did: At this rate, I was really upset with the constant trial and error. So, I decided to use this class to do extensive research on this paper mache-ing technique. After spending half of the class doing research,  realized that there seems to be a variety in the consistency of the glue for each video. In some videos, the creator used pure white glue and in others glue and water at a 1:1 ratio. I’ve been using the solution of glue and water at a 1:1 ratio. So, I decided to try one more prototype using a pure glue solution. This time it worked! That is until I let it out to dry…..

Day #3

Plan: Begin making the final product, and document the process. Begin writing blog post #3

Actual thing I did: At this point, I was behind on my plan, I was still trying to figure out how to make my string grip the balloon. I continued to surf the internet for a way to paper mache better. Then, I stumbled across a video where the person used the “tail nudge” thing on the balloon as an anchor for the string to wrap around instead of the smooth balloon surface. I was in desperation for this lampshade to work, so I literally tried everything– glue solution, balloon size, string type, the application of the glue to make sure the string would tangle. AND AFTER EVERYTHING, THIS METHOD COMBINED WITH MY PREVIOUS DISCOVERIES, WORKED!!!!!!!! This method, coupled with using only the glue as the solution, using thin string, untangling the string before dipping it into the glue, using Olivia as my string provider as I wrapped the balloon, allowed me to finally make the lampshade without the string falling off. To ensure this string would hold I also sprayed on this ‘hairspray-like’ spray to hold its shape.

Day #4,

Plan: Finalize the product. Seek feedback and reviews from teachers and peers.

What I actually did:

After the shell dried, I cut a hole in the shade to put the light and battery there. However, the area of the shell where the hole was cut was really fragile if you pressed on it (as seen in the photo):

However, my initial design for the light switch was to have it attached to the shell– meaning that whenever I pressed the button to turn on or off the lamp the shade would be damaged. So, I decided to change the design so the button wouldn’t be attached to the shade but hang, like this:

Then I started to try and create the stand of the lamp. However, I stumbled across this old lamp heater stand for beakers and it fit my lamp perfectly while meeting my previously mentioned criteria of being recycled.

Day #5

Plan: Work on improving the product base on the feedback

What I actually did:

At this point I was basically done, I just needed to refine some details.

Here’s what I did:

  1.  The hairspray from earlier left this film of dried-up spray around my lampshade so I grabbed a tweezer and tried to get most of it off:

2. I wanted my circuit to be working for longer so I soldered the wires together.

3.  I covered the edge of the cardboard bottom with hemp string to make it more aesthetically pleasing.