Whether it's a DIY work or a way to spend an afternoon with the kids stimulating their creativity, sand modeling is fun and cheap, and you can keep the result to keep it on display for many years. A vase or a glass will be your palette and you will have all the colors of the rainbow at your disposal. The difficult thing is to decide the subject!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Colored Sand
Step 1. Organize all the materials you will need
Do you want to use a vase? A terrarium? How many colors will you use? It is generally best to use a precise range of colors. You can find colored sand in fine art stores. You will also need:
- Glass bottles
- Various objects like plants (optional)
- A funnel
- A tool for handling sand, such as a brush or spoon
Step 2. Start creating sand states
This will be easier with a funnel - you can use a real one or make it with a piece of paper (thus choosing the size of the tip). Move the funnel around so that the sand is directed - it's nicer to create uneven layers (and they're easier to make too).
- The funnel is the best tool for creating special layers and a colorful pattern. Also, the great thing about this technique is that if you get it wrong you can start over.
- If it doesn't look the way you want it, you can style the sand as you like with a brush.
Step 3. Add items you like
If you want to create a terrarium, add seedlings, stones or sticks to your bottle. Some people put stones on the bottom of the bottle, so lifting it will show "roots".
You can add a smaller jar or bottle to the main one and put sand around it. Then, if you add something to the smaller bottle, it will appear buried
Step 4. If there is a cap on the bottle, secure it with hot glue
Once the job is done and satisfaction is achieved, apply a layer of hot glue to the cork (without letting it run) and gently attach it to the bottle.
It is not essential, but it will prevent the sand from escaping from the bottle if shaken or if it falls off the shelf
Method 2 of 3: Use Sugar and Food Colors
Step 1. Gather the materials
The quantities are to be decided based on how large your work will be. You will need:
- Sugar
- Food coloring
- Glass bottles with stopper
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Hot glue gun
Step 2. Put the sugar in the bowls
Fill as many bowls as there are colors you want to use. Take a little longer than you think you will need, if you have any leftover you can always use it to make cookies or other sweets.
Step 3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the sugar and mix with a spoon
Start with a few drops; evaluate the intensity of the color and add more dye if necessary. Just a couple of drops are enough to make it much darker. Mix well to make everything homogeneous.
- Do the same for the other colors, using a bowl for each color.
- Mix red and yellow to make orange, blue and yellow to make green, red and blue to make purple.
- You could also mix two colored sands for a two-tone effect.
Step 4. When you have added the dye to all the bowls, start mixing the sugar with your hands to mix them better and give them an even consistency
It is not a problem if it is lumpy, it is normal.
Step 5. Start filling the bottle
Depending on the size and shape, you will need different tools to create the layers. You could use a spoon to fill the bottle, but you'll need a funnel to be more precise.
- Make a cone out of a piece of paper and use it to fill the bottle with sand. Alternatively, you can use a straw or something similar. If the sand does not fit in the desired position, you can fix it with the end of a spoon or toothpick.
- Try to create a colorful pattern; with the funnel it will be easier. You could also tilt the bottle to create special effects on the sides.
Step 6. Use hot glue to secure the cap
When you're done, put some glue on the cap and the rim of the bottle. Fix them and let them dry for 5 minutes.
The glue is very hot! Be very careful not to touch it. Once sealed, the bottle is ready to be displayed
Method 3 of 3: Use Sand and Gel Colors
Step 1. Collect all the things you need
Although sugar and food dyes are easier to find, you will get more vibrant colors with the use of sand and gel colors. Play sand (darker to create more intense colors) can be found for a few euros in both DIY and pet shops. Besides these two things, you will also need:
- Bowls with hot water
- Glass containers or vases
- Flowers (optional)
Step 2. Dissolve the dye in hot water
Each color needs its own bowl. The water shouldn't be boiling, but hot - microwave it for about a minute and it should be enough. You will need about 1-3 full tablespoons of color for each bowl (depending on the intensity of color you want to achieve).
If you can't find the gel, you can use powder paint. If you have liquid gouache available, that's fine, but don't dissolve it in water and work it very carefully when mixing it with sand
Step 3. Put the sand in the various bowls and pour the water over it
One part of water for 3 parts of sand. If you use more water, the sand may not fully absorb it.
Stir until the color is even - best if you use a whisk. The sand should be lumpy and not too liquid
Step 4. Let the sand dry
You can choose between two methods:
- Drain the excess water and sprinkle the sand on some parchment paper, then let it dry overnight.
- Alternatively, place everything in the oven at 200 ° C on parchment paper for 10-15 minutes or until dry.
Step 5. Shape your sand work
When the sand is dry you are ready to proceed. Grab a glass bottle or vase and arrange the colored sand inside according to your preferences. Here are some tricks:
- Use a piece of paper or a straw as a funnel, so you can precisely target the sand. Make layers, shaking the vase to create some nice shapes.
- Use the handle of a spoon, brush, or other small, thin object to move the sand into the right position.
- If you want, put a smaller pot inside the large one. Then, place the sand around the small one and some little flowers inside it. So you will create the effect of flowers planted in the sand.
Advice
- If you want to create curvy shapes, you can use a skewer to gently move the sand.
- If the creation is for a birthday or other event, you can buy stickers to stick on the bottle.
