JANESAWYERMAKES.COM
  • Home
  • Templates
  • Articles
  • Merch
  • Videos
  • About
  • Landing
  • Home
  • Templates
  • Articles
  • Merch
  • Videos
  • About
  • Landing
Search

DIY Crystal Geode Propagation Station

2/16/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture

Watch the video tutorial HERE!

Here's how to make a fake but GORGEOUS mystical crystal geode with no actual crystals, no resin, and no molds. In fact, this project is mostly dollar-store foam board and hot glue sticks. 

I turned my geode into a plant propagation station, but you could use the same techniques to make a kick-ass book nook, magical fantasy miniatures, or epic tabletop gaming terrain!

Check out my previous tutorial for a deep dive into the techniques I used on this project. There's a complete supply list over there.

The template for the donut shape I demonstrate is a FREE DOWNLOAD. No need to stick to the template though - you can make a geode of almost any shape or size!
crystal__geode_template.pdf
File Size: 505 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Following is a brief step-by-step, but I highly recommend you check out the video tutorial on my YouTube channel!
Picture
Trace your shape onto foam board and cut out six copies.
Picture
Use white glue to laminate all six shapes together in a stack.

Picture
When the glue is dry, use coarse sandpaper to even out the edges. Always protect yourself from sanding dust!
Picture
Apply a thin coat of spackle to the entire sculpture. Add some rocky texture if you want. When dry, sand slightly with a fine sandpaper.

Picture
Base coast the form with a couple coats of acrylic paint.
Picture
Wet-blend some lighter and brighter colours as show.

Picture
Let's make some crystals! Grab a transparent hot glue stick and cut off a chunk a few centimeters long.
Picture
Stand this cylinder on it's end and slice down the side to create your crystal's facet. Practice safe knife skills!

Picture
If you have trouble getting your blade through the hot glue, try heating the blade by holding it against your hot glue gun nozzle.
Picture
Working around the cylinder, shave down the sides so you have about six facets.

Picture
Carve one end into a point..
Picture
Your finished "crystal" should look something like this.

Picture
Make a bunch of crystals out of big glue sticks. If you're really careful, you can make them out of mini hot glue sticks too!
Picture
Use hot glue to create attach clusters of crystals to the interior of your geode. I'm working around some test tubes in this photo because, I'm turning my geode into a plant propagater.

Picture
I thought it needed a bit of contrast, so I painted a white line as shown. Check out some images of real geodes for inspo.
Picture
I used and old brush to stipple some dark paint onto what would be the rock surface on my geode. I like the texture this created.

Picture
If you want your crystals to be extra-shiny, apply a thick coat of glossy mod podge. When dry, you can enjoy your DIY dollar store geode!
For a more detailed description of each step, please check out the build video!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    More Articles

    Paper Mache Jackalope
    Paper Mache Blob
    Polymer Clay Toad
    Pumpkin Cottage
    ​Pumpkin Basket
    Cardboard Jack o' Lantern
    Paper Mache Pumpkin
    Splatter & Bloom Review
    Pringles Can Bird Automata
    Pringles Can Spooky Tree
    Pringles Can Fake Cake

    Pool Noodle Tentacle
    DIY Tree Bark
    Walking Bigfoot Papercraft
    Log Bookends
    Polymer Clay Mushrooms
    Dry Brush Painting
    ​Less Mess Paper Mache
    Sock Abominable
    Elf in e.l.f
    Soapstone Fox​
    Realistic Leaf Hack

    ​Audrey II Plant
    String of Hearts
    Foam Roller Plant
    Age a Terracotta Pot
    Polymer Clay Pumpkin
    Crystal Ball​
    Air-Dry Clay Bat
    5-Step Mushroom Jar
    3 Reasons to do Game of Shrooms
    5 Reasons You're a Fake Artist
    Alice in WALNUTland
    Walnut Shell Ring Box
    Apothecary Walnut
    Bigfoot Forest Walnut
    Baby Dragon in Walnut
    Tiny Hinge DIY
    How to Split a Walnut
    DIY Crystal Geode
    Propagation Station 
    Tiny, Tiny Chairs
    Abominable Snowman
    Krampus
    ​Sock Mothman
    ​Mini Top Hat
    Baba Yaga's Hut
    Less Mess Paper Maché
    Head Mount Dragon
    Building Moonwatcher
    Testing 5 Fill Media
    Thumbs-Up Machine
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Templates
  • Articles
  • Merch
  • Videos
  • About
  • Landing