Silk Paper

Because we now have cocoons that have holes in them ( the one long silk thread is broken in many places) - we cannot reel the single thread in to use as silk thread for weaving. So we thought of the next best thing -- silk stretchies!

We simmer 6 cups of water in a glass pot (or stainless steel)
and add 1 tsp. of liquid pure soap( We have Dr. Brown's)
and 1/4 tsp. washing soda or soda ash ( not Baking soda). We found washing soda near the Tide and stuff at Keyfood)

Once you see some steam -- you dunk the cocoons ( clean them out first, because sometimes they have the pupa skin that the moth left behind)

and let the cocoon simmer for 30 minutes.


You will see they will become transparent and mushy.


Pick up one cocoon ( do not stir them together or they will be all tangled)
and get a frame ( 8x8 inches square) - and stretch the cocoon by pinning it down in one side and then stretching all the way to the other pins.

VERY COOL!



Now, you can keep getting one cocoon and stretching it til you get a whole stack.


You can rinse the stack with water and then sprinkle some water with a bit of vinegar in it.


Now you can use these to make paper, or we like to stretch them over anything really. It looks very cool!

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Maker Faire -  September 25, 2010

We submitted our projects to the First Annual Maker Faire in New york city - and they gave us an exhibit booth!  It was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures!

Checking in !

Setting up the booth

Previews of the Faire

Arduino

Day of the Exhibit

Talking non-stop until 1-2:30 when he left everything to go get empanadas and lemon ice!

We won an Editor's Choice Blue Ribbon for our Exhibit!

Add caption

Packing Up

Going home - and stopping by Ihawan for bbq!