Adapted from Kathy Ceceri’s book, Make: Paper Inventions
This week, the Maker Camp project path we’re focused on is the Give it Form track. These explorations take you from paper modeling to digital sculpting, showing how to transform flat 2D shapes into 3D forms. Start by prototyping with paper, before getting creative with cardboard construction, and then doodling and printing in 3D.
This doesn’t have to be expensive. Most of the materials you need to do 3D projects at home can be found in your localย crafts supply or hardware store. In fact, youย probably own many of them already. The followingย lists include items that are good to haveย on hand at home, as well as suggestions forย groups and in the classroom. Keep your supplyย cabinet stocked and youโll always be ready toย try some fun and amazing inventions!
Paper
For inspiration, your paper stockpile should includeย as many colors, patterns, and weights asย possible. Regular office and childrenโs craftย paper is fine for most Maker Camp projects.
- Copy paper:ย for most projects, recycled paper withย printing on one side is fine
- Card stock:ย stiff heavy paper with a smooth surface isย best
- Construction paper
- Origami paper:ย nice to have, but not necessary
- Machine paper:ย long thin rolls are handy for someย projects, but not required.
- Recycled newspaper:ย full sized is best.
- Recycled magazines: Glossy home, cooking, and fashion magazinesย will have lots of colorful photos toย use. Ask your local library for old copies.
Art Materials
These are just the basics. Feel free to supplementย with your own favorites:
- Markers
- Crayons
- Pencils
- Pens
- Glue sticks
- White glue
- Masking tape
- Clear tape
- Shrinkable plastic sheets (or recycledย #6 plastic food containers)
- Play-Doh
Sewing Supplies
For these items, you may have to visit a specialtyย shop or order online.
- Embroidery hoop: can be used as aย screen for making paper
- Teflon nonstick pressing sheet: used toย keep ironing boards clean
Housewares/Groceries/Dollarย Store
Kitchen items are easy to find in your local groceryย store. Discount and dollar stores can alsoย be a great place to find small electronics youย can salvage for parts as well as cheap householdย items.
- Large plastic basin or aluminumย roasting pan
- Sponge
- 2 smooth dish towels (not terry cloth)
- Rice flour
- Potato starch
- Plastic wrap
- Wax paper
- 2 frying pan splatter screens: can beย used as screen for papermakingย instead of embroidery hoop.
- LEDs: cut from strings of lights or fromย mini flashlights
- Rubber bands: lots and lots of them!
Hardware
Most local stores will carry these.
- Aluminum foil tape
- Copper foil tape (used for gardening)
- Pliers (for bending wires on LEDs)
Electronics
Small electronics parts are becoming harder toย find locally. Try online retailers such asย Digikey,ย Adafruit,ย SparkFun,ย and Jameco.
- LEDs:ย Red LEDs are the most versatile, but you canย buy a mixed bag of LEDs and test outย different kinds.
- 3 V coin batteries (CR2032): You can buy these in bulkย from Cheap-Batteries.
- Circuit Stickers:ย These lights and electronic sensors areย specifically designed to be used with paper. Buy them through Chibitronics.
- Rectifier:ย A component that turns AC current to DC.
Software
Sculptris: Free 3D modeling software
Extras You May Find Helpful
- Small, sharp, pointy scissors:ย While you need to be careful, a small pair ofย really good scissors will make cutting outย many of the patterns much easier. They can even take theย place of an art knife.
- Ruler: Helpful for measuring and for drawingย straight lines. If you choose to use an artย knife, a ruler is also useful as a guide.
- Paper or foam plates:ย They can help you keep all your materialsย and small pieces of paper in one place whileย you work.
- Large ziploc bags:ย For storing small pieces of paper or finishedย objects.
- Programmable cutter:ย Many paper projects will go much faster ifย you own one of these machines.
- Notebook:ย If youโre making changes and trying newย things, writing down the details in aย โMaker’s notebookโ will help youย remember what worked and what didnโt.
- ย Camera:ย Take pictures while you work to record andย share your cool creations!
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