MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTERFLIES...



1. Buy some neodymium magnets because they are tiny and strong. They can be ordered in bulk online. I purchased both tiny round and square magnets. The round have a bit more surface area and are larger and stronger, so I use those for the larger butterflies.

2. Create your designs and print. I’ve been having the butterflies printed on high quality color-specific paper. Because they’re super colorful it helps preserve the colors. It’s also slightly thicker than normal paper and maintains the shape well. Print two sides for each butterfly that will match up because you will be gluing the two together.

3. Use an xacto blade or scissors to cut the pieces out. I like using an xacto blade because it's more precise.

4. Tape the magnet in the middle of the butterfly on one side.

5. Match the paper sides together with the magnet in between so that they are staged and ready to be glued. I’ve been attaching these to a metal clothes drying rack - anything that is metal with a lot of surface area will work for drying.

6. For glue, wheatpaste is the best and it’s practically free. You can make it.
You’ll need flour, water and sugar.
- Boil 1 cup water
- Mix 3 tablespoons of flour with 10 tablespoons of water - whisk together.
- Add this flour mixture to the boiling water
- Boil for 2+ minutes. Stir constantly - it gets thick.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar. Stir well.
- You’re done. Pour in a glass container and use or refrigerate.
- You can play with the consistency - if you’d like a thicker paste, use more flour, etc. For the butterflies it helps to have it a little less goopy so I use a bit more water.

7. When your wheat paste has cooled down a bit and is ready, cover the inside surface of both parts of your cutout and paste them together. Then attach to a metal surface so they can dry. I like hanging the butterflies upside down on the wires on a metal clothes drying rack because they allow gravity to pull the wings down when they dry upside down. It’s a neat effect.

8. After drying, the butterflies are ready to launch….

9. Leftover wheat paste can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or two. You'll know when it's been too long.

 

 


 



More about the Butterfly Project

and more work can be seen here: atypicalart.com



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kasey@atypicalart.com

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