I did it! What a great community and leader in Tammy Garcia at Daisy Yellow. I did the ICAD challenge and have the gelatin prints on my wall to admire. These are some discoveries I made:
- I like working small on a pre-cut size of paper
- I like working in a series
- I like the new gelatin, glycerin and water plate
- It takes time to create, photograph, post and share
- Goals and boundaries help me.
I have added a picture below of the materials I used to make my second gelatin, glycerin and water plate. I have not printed on this one yet but the consistency feels good, flexible, soft and spongy but not too fragile. So you could quite easily make this plate for yourself and be gelatin printing for months to come.
For this 5″ x 7″ gelatin, glycerine and water plate I used
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of glycerine
- 1 box of gelatin
- 5″ x 7″ acrylic box frame.
It was a little tricky for me to make in such a small quantity. It got quite foamy. I followed my basic instructions and dissolved the gelatin in the 1/4 cup of cold water then added 1/4 of boiling. Stir with rubber spatula to dissolve and added the 1/2 cup of glycerine. I think it is ok to microwave it for a few seconds to help things dissolve.
It sets up really quickly. So there is little time to skim bubbles like in my first video. I think I will try adding a little more water next time. Or maybe a different pan. The deep acrylic box frame is a great shape and size but I have a hard time getting the plate back in it for storage and a hard time skimming off the foam and bubbles. Maybe I will dissolve the gelatin in the glycerin first and then add boiling water. I think that is what Lindsay , the frugal crafter did.
I would definitely NOT put any gelatin, glycerin and water mixture down the drain. I think it will harden and clog the drain. So clean your tools with paper towels and then lots of very hot water.
I found this everlasting gelatin, glycerin and water recipe over at the FrugalCrafter. I found another recipe that added a bit of sugar to preserve the plate. There is a full discussion of the questions that folks ran into and Lindsay has provided lots of advise. So I would check out her post above if you have any questions.
I do leave this gelatin/glycerin plate out on my work table and it has lasted quite a while. I have melted down another one that I made and reshaped it. It does not seem to be as affected by the weather as the gelatin and water only plate. I am becoming a be fan of this recipe.
Aine Scannell over at the gelatin plate flickr group is looking for ideas on how to make a really big gelatin, glycerin and water plate. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.
Enjoy!
Such a commitment to make your own gelli plates as well as make 61 cards! Congrats for making it through!
Thanks it was fun.
Hi Linda
Congrats!
I tried making a couple permanent gelatin/glycerin/water plates and unfortunately they were too sticky, even after melting and adding alcohol. Then unfortunately I ended up getting a bad case of contact dermatitis from the glycerin, so I’m back to regular gelatin plates with vinegar added as I no longer keep them in the fridge. So far so good :).
Stay inspired!
ooh that is too bad about dermatitis. But at least you found something that works for you. How much vinegar do you add? a couple tablespoons?
what happened to the alcohol recipe….was it causing some problems for you?
(the one I made really got bumpy after a few days, so I haven’t used either one lately, but maybe today I’ll check it out and see how the bumpy one prints…..maybe more texture?)
not sure where I heard of this: blow on the bubbles and they will pop….I’ve tried it and it works for most of them, then the rest are easier to pick up at the edge. I like the box because I can line it with plastic wrap and it’s easy to take out, not too bad to put back in. Thanks for the update and for all your valuable inspiration. It’s been fun being in ICAD with you.
I did not like the alcohol smell. So I left it out. It is all an experiment. Right?
I adore your prints and am looking forward to trying the gelatin print technique sometime.
Hi Linda. I thought I would let you know that I have now made several of the glycerol plates are they are amazing. I made them in August and they are still going strong. (one of them lived in my kitchen – uncovered for 4 weeks and it didn’t go mouldy of dry out!). I love the texture and the way it prints. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I have been making a lot more prints.
Sally
fantastic!
Hi,
How much gelatin is one box? (As in tbs…)
Thanks!
I think it is about 3 rounded tablespoons.
I made a gelli plate using the 1 1/2 C water, and 1 1/2 C glycerin, and 7 packets of gelatin recipe, and after having it for a few weeks, it started to harden and stiffen around the edges. I cut off the hardened edges, and it is happening again! Is this a normal occurence with the DIY plates?
Hi,
It is an organic plate. Water evaporates. So if you in a dry climate, it will evaporate faster. I keep my plates covered. The plates can be melted and water added back in. They are not meant to last forever. So yes, your plate changes sound normal.
Enjoy,
Linda