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EGG CARTON/PAPER TOWEL ROLL DIY FURNITURE
A number of people who come to see my set-ups comment about my DIY hides and cliffs (or as some would say 'lazy-hides' lol).
So thought I'd post up a selection of my 'blue-peter lazy hides' to show that if I can anyone can .....
Take one egg carton lid (large or smaller half-dozen) or a flowerpot saucer cut in half with half circles cut in the sides/fronts ...
add a bit of pva glue, tiling grout and non-toxic paints (and even a bit of plastic greenery and wood ......... and voila ~
So thought I'd post up a selection of my 'blue-peter lazy hides' to show that if I can anyone can .....
Take one egg carton lid (large or smaller half-dozen) or a flowerpot saucer cut in half with half circles cut in the sides/fronts ...
add a bit of pva glue, tiling grout and non-toxic paints (and even a bit of plastic greenery and wood ......... and voila ~
Most of them are being used in the vivs so there's a pic of the smaller ones (three in a row that are half done) all it takes really is a bit of time and patience (oh and the kitchen looking like a building site )
SOME FINISHED HIDES
.....OR GO ALL OUT ON THE POLYSTYRENE
Cost-wise I spent just over a tenner on the floor tile grout powder and builders pva and a couple of quid on child-safe paints and cheap brushes with the kitchen rolls, toilet rolls, egg box lids etc being saved up over time and recycled. (I save them anyway for use with hatchlings and in the quarantine rubs) and I've still got loads left and that's after making various hides, cliffs, caves etc plus the fake bark.
It's several layers of grouting/pva mix built up and gradually made thicker with each layer and using old brushes it naturally makes a ripple/bark effect ~ though on a couple I managed to make the 'knots' as well.
Thefirst layers when it needs to be sloppy I use about one third Builders PVA (ready made/liquid) to two thirds water followed by enough grout powder to make a runnyish mix (sort of like when ice-cream has melted lol)..... after a few layers of this allowing to dry between layers then I start adding more grout powder to liquid ratio until the final lot is like putty.
If you're putting it on plastic/shiney surfaces they need to be roughed first with sandpaper/wirewool and sealed with PVA to provide a suface for the grout to stuck to.
Oh and the grout powder I use is the Unibond Tile on Floors Quickset Waterproof Grout powder and it comes in Sandstone, Granite, Terricotta and Rustic Brown (there may be more colours but that's what my local B&Q stock ).
PAPER TOWEL ROLL
Is any of that stuff toxic or anything?
Caution is needed when making and I would advise sealing the finished result if you're unsure.
How long do you wait for it to dry?
It's usually a day or so between layers and also depends on the thickness and how warm/cold the room is.
Is it hard or messy to make?
It's relatively easy but can be fiddly and it is messy.
Is it cheaper than buying normal stuff?
It depends on how many you intend to make ~ if it's only one or two hides then it's more expensive then buying from a shop.
Does it take a long time?
Yes it can take a fair while to make.
Where do you get the grout and paint etc?
B&Q and craft shops
How much is it?
the grout, PVA, paint, cheap brushes etc will set you back roughly £20 to £30
Are these fine for hatchling leos?
I prefer using ordinary cardboard tubes and plain plastic hides etc for hatchlings as they outgrow it so quick and they still have a tendency to mess everywhere lol
Caution is needed when making and I would advise sealing the finished result if you're unsure.
How long do you wait for it to dry?
It's usually a day or so between layers and also depends on the thickness and how warm/cold the room is.
Is it hard or messy to make?
It's relatively easy but can be fiddly and it is messy.
Is it cheaper than buying normal stuff?
It depends on how many you intend to make ~ if it's only one or two hides then it's more expensive then buying from a shop.
Does it take a long time?
Yes it can take a fair while to make.
Where do you get the grout and paint etc?
B&Q and craft shops
How much is it?
the grout, PVA, paint, cheap brushes etc will set you back roughly £20 to £30
Are these fine for hatchling leos?
I prefer using ordinary cardboard tubes and plain plastic hides etc for hatchlings as they outgrow it so quick and they still have a tendency to mess everywhere lol
Find Sleepy Dee and her gecko family at her site:
http://sleepydeegeckos.webs.com/
http://sleepydeegeckos.webs.com/
