CRYSTALLIZED BOOKS!?! | How To Make Borax Crystal Books

So today I decided to try a little experiment with some Borax to see if I could make some crystallized Borax books! I honestly had quite reserved feeling about this, and after looking at some images questioned whether these Borax crystal books would work, and if it did how fragile they were going to be. Now to my surprised it did in fact work, however I think if you wanted to build up thick layers of crystals over an object you would need to repeat the process several times. I was correct in thinking these books would be fragile, the books themselves started to fall apart, and the Borax crystals easily fell off the actual books too! So yeah an interesting idea but not sure whether Borax crystallized books are my kind of thing! But feel free to let me know what your thoughts were on these Borax crystal books, and whether you'll be tempted to crystallize your own books at some point!
#borax #crystalbook #boraxcrystals
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About my channel:
My names Anthony Crammen, an artist based in the UK, and my KZbin channel focuses on arts and crafts, DIY projects, various attempts at Pinterest projects, creative product testing and reviews, and everything creative! All created with the idea of fun and entertainment, however some serious videos from time to time. Anyway hopefully you enjoy the videos I make, if you do make sure to comment below, give the video a like, and subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications so you never miss an upload! Make sure to follow me on social media too so we can stay in touch outside of KZbin!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Who fancies a salty book? 😅

[@clairewhitcher2190]

Studio looks great!!! 👍🏻😃💕 Of all pages to be on 🤣😂 Maybe a thinner book 🤔 like the effect of the blue ink on the crystals 👏🏻👍🏻😃🤗🥰🥰

[@bobherbert4365]

Not me. Paper waste. Your videos are so realistic. I need some encouragement and emotional support!

[@amethyst1826]

I'd prefer a saucy one lol xx

[@amethyst1826]

Shiiiit, Ant, maybe you shouldn't have shared that about the bleach.... Never mind, it'll root out the idiots! 😂😂😂😂 xx

[@AnthonyCrammen]

@amethyst1826 😅😅

[@Redbudderflie]

Fold pages before putting in the solution. Use hardcover books. Leave in solution for 3 days for bigger crystals. Once book is completely dry apply couple layers of acrylic spray to lock into place.

[@ericasnne41]

Thought I'd give you a tip on how to curl and keep your pages, use cut pipe cleaners curl your pages around them before soaking it in your solution😊 and if you use a bigger tub with more water solution having the book not touching the tub at all will cause it to crystallize a lot better!

[@nikoliniolnc]

Borax crystals need so many days to build up. Boric acid ued to put in chemicals for insect 🦟 etc

[@Kelmot]

Was your spoon the right size I thought you said you needed a tablespoon but it looked like you used a desert spoon maybe ? Interesting though I enjoyed it and I loved the look of the blue crystal s ❤

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Oh possibly lol? 😅😅

[@sazmullium]

In the UK what he used is a table spoon.

[@Flibbles]

@@sazmulliumNo in UK tablespoon is larger than dessert spoon.

[@JenniMeer]

I love the fact that you say you do arts and crafts and you actually DO it!! I’ve never been disappointed in your content!! ❤

[@AnthonyCrammen]

😊😊

[@amethyst1826]

Ant went to art college, unlike a lot of the 'crafters' on KZbin. And he shows the good and bad sides of what he does, as well as stupid prices! x

[@JenniMeer]

@@amethyst1826 Yes I know. He’s brought up being in art school many times. I used to watch Nerdecrafter until she devolved into Nerdeunboxer. She was very transparent about prices too. Such a shame that she doesn’t do arts and crafts anymore. 😭

[@deeedwards9651]

Honey, use a deeper pot

[@debbierusonis5139]

Just found your channel looking for ink stick instructions and have immediately subscribed. Love that you experiment but also entertain (superbly). I’m in US so gonna pick up some borax (have used it in the past for distressing copper) & will try this with one of my handmade books just for the hell of it.

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah welcome to the channel Debbie! 😊😊

[@NorthernAuburn]

I make Jewellery, and Borax is used as flux when soldering.

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah interesting!

[@gothiccharms]

I've never seen this before - very interesting! What I found was 1.Himalayan salt lamps purify the surrounding air through moisture absorption. So, yeah.... Guess my house must be really dry LOL 2. Add at least half a box of borax to the bowl then add the boiling water after the borax. Stir until the borax is dissolved in the water. Add the book (or other objects you want to crystallize!) to the bowl, making sure it is completely covered. Leave the item in the water for at least 24 hours. So... I guess you could try it again with the same books just with more borax. I did not know about the ban due to being toxic to reproductive health. Yeah, it's sold in big boxes at the grocery stores here in the USA. Probably has one of those disclaimers on it that it causes cancer in rats in California - because apparently all the rats in California get cancer. It's a weird USA label they put on stuff.

[@jaiebryce2386]

Use smaller, and thinner books; dog-ear the pages before you dunk the book; roll the upper-facing pages beforehand; place the book in the fluid using just the covers and then flick the other pages into the fluid. The ink went gunky as it's acrylic ink, which is pigment based. A dye-based ink, or clothes dye might work better...?

[@carollowe3704]

maybe if you submerged the books upside down - with the individual pages down into the solution? also, the more borax you use, the more crystals you will have since it works on evaporation.

[@nomadicdragon7157]

10:33 👀 *eats a bowl of borax*

[@AnthonyCrammen]

🫠🫠

[@techne9]

sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It should work with any salt that will super-saturate in boiling water: table salt, sugar, etc. We made sugar crystal candy as children.

[@alexiscrazycrafter5558]

I had to look up some videos but I'm going to try this . Thanks for sharing something that looks like fun.

[@mazmain9248]

If you want to make crystals you mix as much borax into the water as will dissolve. I think you need to submerge them.

[@anthonywarwood6817]

Interesting fact. Borax was banned in the UK 2010 !

[@mrj4615]

Borax isn't totally banned in the UK, which is why he was able to buy some online. It was simply classified as an SVHC, which triggers measures under REACH regulations. That does mean it can't be used in domestic cleaning products (or sold as a cleaning agent), which is probably what people are referring to when they say it's banned.

[@barbielockett5839]

You are funny!! Enjoy, we will see, but you need a plastic ben, but you did good..😂❤

[@Michka1001]

You needed a lot more borax, needed the water hotter and needed the book completely submerged without it touching the bottom or sides. You could also use table salt if you find borax hard to find (sugar can also be used)

[@amethyst1826]

I'll pass on this one, although I think maybe a thinner book may have worked better. Those could stink as they'll be a while drying! Door stops!! xx

[@kingmerry10]

Hey Ant, thanks for another fab video - and for making the process 'crystal' clear!! I'm glad you made it through the video OK - Borax was traditionally used to kill ants!!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah no problem!! 😊😊 Oh my god! Maybe that's why I'm so poorly at the moment!? 😭😭

[@kingmerry10]

@@AnthonyCrammen Gosh, could well be!! 😮 Hope you're feeling better very soon 😁

[@AnthonyCrammen]

@kingmerry10 Ah thanks! 😊😊

[@morrisdancer11]

Try a thiner 'lighter book first than you are not fighting the bulk and absorbtion factr.

[@otakutante]

Never heard about this trend before! The blue crystals look kinda cool 😊 what happens to the stuff that doesn't make it to your shelfs? I would rather keep the blue crystal book instead of the moldy snow globe😅😅 ( the book could turn into a miniature environment for some creatures you could craft in the future. Then just glue some additional crap on to it to make a lovely landscape for them to live in. Add a ton of resin on top of everything and it could be more stable to hang it on the wall. Hopefully😅... Or maybe the salt crystals desolve in the resin... Well. Nevermind😅🥴) Great Video as always!!💕

[@alicedowntherabbithole4226]

I saw people boiling the books for awhile and also I think if you try and do it again with the same book the first round would melt off lol. Love your face!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Haha true! 😅😅

[@valrfl]

"Fluff the book" 😂 great video enjoyed watching the process 👍🏻💕

[@AliceVieira31]

Ohh I’ve been seeing these crystallized books all over my explore page on IG! I was wondering what substance they were using lol. On some reels I saw people fully submerging the book on a giant vat so maybe that’s important? Some people get very extra and add flowers and other resin pieces related to the theme of the book 😅 I don’t particularly like the aesthetic but it looks fun to make.

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

I wonder if the books you saw are treated with a spray glue or matte varnish on the pages, to get their cool shapes. And then perhaps they were fully submerged in the borax solution till bigger crystals formed? I mean, that's how I would do it. But perhaps testing it using a few sheets of paper rolled up to start with to see how it reacts. I think your idea for the ink was a good one but perhaps use food colouring to colour the solution, just to avoid toxic gasses? Will you be trying it again on another video because I would love to see a time lapsed video of the crystals forming. God bless you Ant. Have a great weekend!

[@releasingendorphins232]

Those are Amazing. Thanks for Sharing. Barb in Oklahoma.

[@loribuening4345]

We love you!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

😊😊

[@jenjenv.t.7602]

I've never seen these, it's Such a cool idea! Lol yeah I've never found it's good when things go chunky...i have some childhood milk trauma 😂 i love the little video clip meme things you add to your videos, you've got the best sense of humor Ant, yours are some of the only videos that make me truly laugh out loud!

[@veronicamorales510]

Isn't borax a poison?

[@sueking3915]

Hi Anthony. We can buy borax here in Greece, I use it instead of ant powder. Just mix some up in boiling water and add sugar to a paste consistency in a jam jar lid or even a bottle top. ☠☺

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Oh it musn't be band then 😅😅

[@bliz2251]

Have ya got a link for the borax babes? It is a bugger to get hold of in the UK ✌

[@debbeshumaker1722]

Can’t get enough of your videos can’t wait for the next one. Maybe you can piss off some more people with no sense of curiosity and no sense of humor.

[@AnthonyCrammen]

😆😆

[@EmmaCarinaG]

Mmm, salty books 🤣 Happy February Ant!!! It's birthday month 🎉

[@AnthonyCrammen]

🥳🥳

[@jenniferwilliams7086]

I just found you today and your a hoot ...! I look forward to watching more of your videos .... i do know that you have to completely cover the items .

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah glad you enjoyed it! And welcome to the channel! 😊😊

[@Sarah-Jade]

I think yours turned out pretty cool, especially the blue one! But like you said I was expecting more crystals.

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah thanks! And same! Deffo won't be attempting again! 😅

[@nomadicdragon7157]

8:25 I love those crystals!!! 🩵💙

[@spewformula7197]

I wonder how it would be doing that with toilet paper 😅

[@AnthonyCrammen]

😅😅

[@WarboysWitch]

I’ve a feeling we call Borax something else, I think it’s a cleaning thing as I’m sure one of my first jobs was scrubbing the stainless steel kitchen in McDs with it!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Oh possibly? 🤔🤔

[@techne9]

sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate

[@makcuja]

Wow,its been like a suuper long while lol I remember discovering you at only around 2k XD

[@makcuja]

Your channel is honestly getting better than I remember,its really a shame you're still underrated 🤧 Best of lucks!

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Ah thanks! 😁

[@rubykennedymedia]

Borax is a mineral. You can ingest it

[@craftylagomorph]

Not all minerals are safe to ingest

[@miasgirls3778]

💎📖💎

[@AnthonyCrammen]

😊😊

[@lds22466]

I’m sorry Ant, but I just don’t get this craft. Maybe it’s because I love reading so much. I like the idea of using old books to make junk journals so it’s not the destruction of the book per se that has me scratching my head. I just don’t understand why you would want to do this. Anyhow, it was an interesting video to watch all the same. I really like the new studio get up. can you believe it’s already February? I have a feeling 2024 is going to sail past us at a very quick rate. @alicedowntherabbithole4226 I love Ant’s face too. He’s such a handsome young man, and crafty too! What a wonderful combination ❤❤❤

[@AnthonyCrammen]

Oh yeah if you're a book lover this might not be for you!