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Post by mounds1983 on Jan 24, 2011 6:49:13 GMT -8
I've been working at some insect frames for local resale and I'm looking for a few tips.
Wondering if anyone knows a place to buy cheap shadowboxes. I see these shadowboxes all over eBay and can't figure out where people get them.
Also, what kind of glue do you use? I'm using a hot glue gun at the moment and it tends to leave strings in the case.
Lastly, how do you mount your butterflies in the case? I'm currently pinning them into the case and I've seen most other people don't use a pin.
Thanks for any info!
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Post by nomihoudai on Jan 24, 2011 7:23:52 GMT -8
1. Ikea
2. I do pin them, then cut pin, glue piece of plasazoate to background with superglue and then pin butterfly onto it with super glue,... and I remove the legs, they may break off anyway and then look bad inside the case.
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Post by admin on Jan 24, 2011 22:34:32 GMT -8
Hot glue is OK, but it dries too quickly. You should try clear silicone glue like is used for bathroom tile sealing. It gives you a lot more time to position the butterfly before it dries.
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Post by mounds1983 on Jan 25, 2011 4:21:57 GMT -8
Thanks for the info guys. Just using the tips on glue is going to make a huge difference. In regards to breaking off the legs, this is another good one. Makes things a lot easier.
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Post by saturniidave on Jan 25, 2011 9:28:30 GMT -8
I made a bunch of them for sale last year. Never thought to break off the legs! I use PVA glue for everything but I do not glue a whole sheet of plastazote to the back, I make a nice background and then glue tiny cubes of plastazote in the positions I want the bugs to go then glue the bug pins into those. I make them small enough to not be seen but large enough to hold the bug.
The actual cases were made from scratch by my brother but we have been looking at buying cheap photo frames from the 99p store and modifying them by making them deeper as the most expensive thing to buy here is the glass.
Dave
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Post by mounds1983 on Jan 26, 2011 5:10:12 GMT -8
Thanks for the tip Dave! I'm definitely going to switch glue. The hot glue dries far too quickly.
I've considered buying a small table saw but I first want to see if I can sell a reasonable amount of cases. The cost for a small case w/plexiglass is dirt cheap (a few dollars) but the amount of time spent on it will make up for it.
So far, I've sold about a dozen frames. That's through the classifieds and having a table set up. Still have to figure out the trick to selling these. I haven't gone online at all yet but plan to within a few months. I first have to ship a case to myself and see if they'll hold up.
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Post by saturniidave on Jan 26, 2011 10:20:19 GMT -8
I only sell at fairs. As my cases are glazed with Picture Glass it would cost a fortune to ship them as the packing would drive the weight and size way up.
Are you on Facebook? There are photos of my cases on an album there. Someone did upload the album to Insectnet but that is in the archives now.
IMHO the two most useful things tool wise are a mitre saw and a router. The cases my brother makes are glued together with PVA wood glue, clamped overnight they are as strong as any other. The backs are hardboard held with 6 small screws which allows me to put the bugs in and the glass is held in place with silicone rubber bathroom sealant. The whole thing is pretty airtight when all screwed together, keeps undesirable bugs out!
Dave
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Post by nomihoudai on Jan 26, 2011 10:49:21 GMT -8
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Post by wingedwishes on Jan 26, 2011 14:52:49 GMT -8
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Post by saturniidave on Jan 26, 2011 17:23:25 GMT -8
That's the one! Many thanks guys.
Dave
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Post by mounds1983 on Jan 27, 2011 7:23:26 GMT -8
Very nice frames Dave! How did you do on sales?
You are on my Facebook actually, lol. I'll message you on there later.
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Post by saturniidave on Jan 27, 2011 10:27:07 GMT -8
Not too well there mate, but I have sold a lot since by word of mouth. I intend to do some of the 'Craft fairs' here this year, hopefully they will go down well there.
See you on Facebook!
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