How I Make a CRYSTAL LAMP (From things in your Kitchen!) | How to make borax crystals

Did you know you can make crystals with Borax and water? I didn't until this week so I wanted to do an experiment and see what I could make! So obviously I made a lamp.
Making borax crystals is super easy. All you have to do is bring water to a boil and mix in some borax. You want to keep adding borax until no more will dissolve into the water. I just kept adding more until I noticed some in the bottom of the container. Then just suspend something in the mixture and crystals will grow on it!
One thing to note, though, is that if whatever you're trying to grow crystals on is not porous, there's a very high chance the crystals will just fall off once you take it out. To fix this problem I made a batch of "seed crystals" and epoxied those onto the outside of the soda bottle. That gave the new crystals something to bond to and kept them from just falling off afterwards.
This was a super cool project and I definitely plan on trying more crystal growing experiments. What do you think I should try?
Things I used :
Borax : amzn.to/2DoYcLI
Orange Soda : amzn.to/2GylLDJ
Stock pot : amzn.to/2XvE1my
Hot Plate : amzn.to/2GiMdzC
Cement All : amzn.to/2DsDzhv
Light Bulb : amzn.to/2IC4uMf
Food Coloring : amzn.to/2VcHqt1

[@TheMakerMonster]

I've got a few ideas for some other projects I want to try with this. What do you think would be cool?

[@littlebacchus216]

Crystal picture frame, with an image of everybody's favourite monster, Maker Monster in it.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Awww ☺️

[@kensmith725]

Something with a tree shape, more surfaces to crystallize.

[@kathmonkey]

A shoe!

[@marshallb9924]

Love this project, Maker Monster! What about using something like this with a smart speaker? Maybe a sound sensor (www.sparkfun.com/products/12642 or similar), a microcontroller, and a lamp setup like what you made with this project. You could hide the smart speaker with the lamp, and when the speaker talks, you see a magic monster crystal lighting up with the voice. So glad I found your channel! We will follow your career with great interest...

[@WorksbySolo]

Great project! Watching crystals grow never gets old.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Bernie!

[@djnettawilliams]

I love the creativity and personality behind these videos. Very inspiring.

[@Dolllypockets]

What kinda glue did u use

[@HardWoodCountry]

Do you have a DIY night light for kids? Great content. You’re the real MVP!!

[@MrGeoffreySmith]

'Borax' is a great sounding word, like a baddie in a Bond film 😀

[@TheMakerMonster]

Or it could be a humanoid boar with an axe

[@laurenharris9832]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@MichaelAlm]

That came out awesome! Love the improvised mixer.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Michael! That was one of those moments of thinking “I really don’t want to mix this by hand..” and then realizing I could make one. Haha

[@HueyLionsheart]

What a funky looking lamp! Brilliant conversation piece in a living space. Great job fella.😁👍

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks! This might be my favorite lamp yet!

[@soupkid954]

Very cool! You are a good monster!! Keep teaching, please.

[@jacquelinemanzano9328]

Very cute, thanks for sharing.

[@sgsax]

Lamps are always cool. The crystals really look great on this one! Clocks are also cool... Thanks for sharing!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Seth! I agree, lamps ARE always cool!

[@MakerCuisine]

Really awesome idea, came out great!

[@FigmentsMade]

Okay, that came out so cool!!!!!! I love it! And now I want to make crystals! Um, you could maybe make a crystal crown for your bandsaw?

[@TheMakerMonster]

Well now *I* want a crystal crown!

[@FigmentsMade]

@@TheMakerMonster Or a crystal crown for you!

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

Stellar! Yes, everything is a lamp but not everything is a cool, awesome color changing crystal lamp. Outstanding idea on this one.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, guys!

[@nightimeyes]

That looks amazing! Wow! I love the way it turned out but I was curious to know if you think using mod podge would work?

[@jonwills4670]

This is really cool!!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Jon!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Came out amazing! 😍👍🏻👊🏻

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Fred!

[@MakeBrooklyn]

Excellent!! Is there anything you cant do with Borax? It's a detergent, a flux for forge welding steel and a starter for growing crystals and making lamps!!! So well done!!!

[@TheMakerMonster]

It's everything we want it to be and more!

[@boss-ih6uk]

That was pretty cool, no lie

[@dr.weirdbeard6054]

Thanks for that amazing idea...I love building lamps, have done a dozen or so😊✌️. This is a really cool idea even tho it was a pain in the as to find borax over here in Germany 🙈 This will be my Gf's birthday present, she gonna love it!

[@dr.weirdbeard6054]

drive.google.com/file/d/1CWw5Fjhja8Ny3ZtptgyMJbqc2BAf7bQY/view?usp=drivesdk

[@donnar9864]

That...is...so....beautiful!!! New subscriber here.

[@Artisticsoulsjourney]

This was awesome !!!!!!

[@physchy945]

Might be a good idea to mention what precautions you need to take when you’re dealing with something that’s dangerous, like borax

[@TheMakerMonster]

It’s probably a good idea to just not do anything silly with anything you can get in the cleaning aisle.

[@physchy945]

The Maker Monster some solid life advice lmao

[@rachealgetscreative]

Neat!! Looks like fun. Also, as someone with the humor of a 10 year old, I appreciate the burp!

[@theresasmi26]

This is beautiful but I need a beginning course... awesome 🌞!!!

[@CraftsWithEllen]

Love it!!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Ellen!

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@TheGrantAlexander]

That is cool! But why do you have cement in your kitchen?

[@TheDreamSyndicateArts]

I support this- in the name of SCIENCE of course! 🔬

[@TheMakerMonster]

SCIENCE!!

[@n017kingg7]

That’s freaking sick bro thanks for video !

[@chrissilliker8633]

I love this lamp im gonna make them with my kids. What did you squirt in the water ? And did you let the water cool before you put in the bottle ?

[@TheMakerMonster]

It was food coloring that I added in. Not sure how much of a difference it made though, to be honest. Didn’t cool the water. By the time the borax was mixed in it had cooled enough to not mess up the plastic at all. Be sure to send pictures when you make them! I’d love to see them!

[@Jason-fb5gs]

You spent all that time making eye protection, but you weren't wearing it. Lol. Great video, great ideas, keep them coming.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Hah! I guess I could have splashed boiling water in my eyes

[@KarolineHinz]

oh god...I had a really really bad borax crystal phase a few year back...basically coating EVERYTHING in that stuff haha. Still cool! And functional!!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Hahaha. I think I’ve just entered that phase!

[@JohnMadeit]

Karoline what was you using instead of borax? as far as i know the borax isn't available here in Europe. is there another similar brand of detergent?

[@KarolineHinz]

John Made it I always got it off eBay - Borax or Natriumtetraborat. AFAIK it isn’t available to purchase for personal use due to EU regulations but I never had a problem with eBay sellers.

[@spndxkwby]

Would it work to grow them on wood? Like a secret ring type of thing but with crystals instead of resin maybe? Love your videos!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Growing them on wood is on my list of things to try!

[@kittyascookiemonster8557]

Wow cool

[@ellevictory1339]

Great job!!! 😁 💖 Let's make some in person later!!!

[@SandraGonzalez-iw8pu]

So cool 😎

[@albertc4016]

Could you make them on beads?

[@karenbreslauer2053]

What did you use to stick the crystals to the bottle. It was not in the description list. Is it a waterproof glue ? Thanks

[@curtisnewton895]

cool indeed

[@sherikasanders5487]

I’m going to try this with my kids 🥰🥰

[@TheMakerMonster]

Let me know how it comes out!

[@michaelpotase]

This is an awesomely epic build!! I'm loving this new lamp channel HAHAHA... What protective coating did you use on the crystal and is it even needed?

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Michael! I just used an acrylic clear coat. The crystals will start to break down with moisture and heat, so the clear coat layer just helps to keep moisture out. You can actually take the left over water and crystals that end up in the container, bring that to a boil to dissolve those crystals, and then add more borax and make more crystals in the same container.

[@michaelpotase]

@@TheMakerMonster Thanks for replying/ I figured you could reuse the solution I also saw where you could add dyes to the solution to get different colored crystals. but i like the color changing bulb more

[@TheMakerMonster]

Yeah I liked the bulb too! I ended up buying a couple for my house. Haha I plan on trying more of the dyeing to get different colors at some point. For this one I just added the white to give it a little bit more opacity to diffuse the bulb nicely.

[@davebauerart]

Wild.

[@ralphgaona4806]

That cool but that mask is going to bring me nightmares

[@whazee]

That's Wicked! I was looking around for things to try that on and my eyes fell on a 3d full head mask in the shape of a wolf I made out of cardboard. What if you could protect it from warping and grow crystals around the whole thing!!!? 😃

[@TheMakerMonster]

Oooh. That could be fun!

[@whazee]

@@TheMakerMonster it would make a pretty cool lamp! 😁

[@MaltandMake]

A LAMP! I love Lamp!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Apparently so do I!

[@chellmadewell3200]

what kind of glue do u use

[@reforzar]

I love it! I think that you should put crystals on your elbow!

[@TheMakerMonster]

A whole set of crystal armor. Sounds like something out of a video game

[@reforzar]

The Maker Monster yes!!!

[@DerekFromMalden]

Another great one. I like that.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Derek! I'm super happy with how it came out. This one might actually be coming home instead of sitting around the shop forever!

[@felixdietzCGN]

where do monsters live?

[@jeffvanzyl2530]

Ooooooooh nice man.

[@emperorscotty]

I live in a different country does the glue type matter, what is the best ingrediants for the glue. I am afraid the glue will come off in the hot water.

[@ijessup]

BRILLIANT

[@TheMakerMonster]

It is pretty bright! Har har har

[@ikenelli8425]

Do diff cups of dyed crystals to set and glue on... badass!

[@fuzzyfkr]

that turned out awesome. the kids suggest make a cat house for your kitty

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks! I don't know if I'm ready to try making something for her again after how much she ignored the last thing I made her! Haha

[@ozziew1z743]

Before you hot glued it I was thinking, "No wait, _fancy milk container_ "

[@TheMakerMonster]

Ooooh! That would be _very_ fancy!

[@jenniferlesser9522]

Does the heat from the light melt it at all?

[@MoonshineMetalworks]

well that was a big bucket of awesome!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Bringing a giant bucket of water to a boil took forever, but it was worth it!

[@jessicaredding2460]

That was great I going to try

[@SamuelRobinsonN]

Coat your crystals in metal! Like the bug!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Oh that’s a good idea! I will definitely have to try that!

[@tomks322]

Dew it!

[@fateme3013]

Does FIMO paste work for this technique??

[@Nic_Lo]

I made borax crystals with jars and ash trays. But the crystals only formed and stuck to the bottom of my glass bowls. I used purple food coloring and borax from Etsy. The jars and tray were suspended by fishing line. I used filtered water. Crystals came out beautiful on the bottom. I will probably try to glue on jars and trays but what do you think could have happened? Not one crystal formed on the glass objects, just the bottom of the glass bowls. They were left for nearly 20 hours and were kept on a dark basement.

[@TheMakerMonster]

Weird. I'm not sure, unfortunately! I've never had problems with the crystals simply not forming on something. Definitely had them not stick, but they still formed.

[@SukiYaki1904]

what time i need to wait for it to become crystal

[@cmsbrader7611]

Hahaha.. im interesting your monster mask.. good job

[@albertc4016]

What was that powder you put in the water

[@SandraGonzalez-iw8pu]

If I make a lamp is safe to put a light bulb in when it get hit?

[@forthepeoplenottheparty1502]

What was the stuff in the tiny bottle that you squeezed into the big bucket?

[@TheMakerMonster]

It was some white food coloring. To be honest, I don't know how much of a difference it actually made

[@jodyventurino7907]

What is the stuff in the small white bottle that you squirt into the solution??

[@bbysenii]

Quick setting epoxy resin

[@Nottheone223]

Would rubber cement also be a good bonding agent?

[@TheMakerMonster]

I'm not sure. I would think that if it could hold up to the moisture it'd be fine. Might be a bit harder to get the seed crystals to stick initially versus the epoxy though.

[@Nottheone223]

The Maker Monster yeah I actually went ahead and tried it, Some of the seed crystals did bond and create new ones, however with the moisture as you said, there where patchy spots, so I’ll try this again another time. Trial and error till it’s finished ya know! Thank you for the inspiration for a DIY project.

[@curtisnewton895]

how do you fix the crystals ? it looks really fragile

[@TheMakerMonster]

I used some clear acrylic spray here, but something like a clear epoxy coating would work even better.

[@pennyrepucci5775]

Yeah, but the mask is cool!! So it adds that way😊

[@teresadoherty1853]

How long does it last after it has had the acrylic spray? Thank you

[@TheMakerMonster]

I haven’t noticed any issues with it so far. As long as it stays dry I think it should be okay.

[@luthegoddess]

5:28 whats that ?

[@plong2x674]

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR MASK?????!!!!!!

[@felixdietzCGN]

beauty!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks, Felix!

[@TomPetersonRefuseReuse]

Very cool!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Thanks!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Woah. Calm down there, youtube!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Woah. Calm down there, youtube!

[@AndyCPugh]

Science is cool!

[@TheMakerMonster]

Science IS cool!

[@nickmiller5740]

Is there any concern with the heat reacting to the crystals or them breaking down over time?

[@TheMakerMonster]

Possibly. It's an LED bulb so there shouldn't be too much heat. And the inside has far less crystals than the outside, so there's a decent amount of space between the bulb and the crystals.

[@JohnMadeit]

that's great. i just realized iv'e never seen you blink..

[@TheMakerMonster]

One day I hope to “have some work done” to fix that problem!

[@Sedgewise47]

Could this work with alum?

[@TheMakerMonster]

I haven’t tried but I don’t see why it wouldn’t!

[@Sedgewise47]

The Maker Monster Thanks for replying.

[@jessreeve2458]

What were the ratios I would love to do this with my daughter

[@TheMakerMonster]

No real ratio. Just keep adding the borax until no more will dissolve into the water. That way you'll know you've got the maximum amount mixed in

[@jessreeve2458]

@@TheMakerMonster awesome gonna start this today

[@TheMakerMonster]

Awesome! Send me a picture when you’re done!

[@jessreeve2458]

@@TheMakerMonster what did you use to make the small crystals stick to the bottle?

[@TheMakerMonster]

@@jessreeve2458 That was just some 5 minute epoxy

[@user-bk2vg7ym5w]

Bitch Slap that "like-button" like a PImp if you want to trip-balls with the Maker Monster!!!

[@OnreinKalfje]

Do you have a discord?

[@Sedgewise47]

(Catchy soundtrack!...)

[@artlife408]

f..ing... Aawweessoomme

[@tracychambers9138]

a cheese ball container

[@select_vr]

Nahhh the face 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@LeonaFayWoodturning]

Sorry can’t type, off to buy some borax!!!

[@TheMakerMonster]

I just picked up a few more boxes to do more experiments!

[@vancemartinvevo4081]

Hi are u my friend

[@jennakorpas6009]

Am I watching interdimensional cable?

[@AlsHackShack]

What is this? The Lamp Channel? I hope so.

[@TheMakerMonster]

I don't know what it is but I always end up back at lamps!

[@bbysenii]

INFO INFO INFO INFO INFO The little bottle was quick setting epoxy resin. Brand name devcon

[@smokiethelo]

Check out the one I made from this video

[@smokiethelo]

I actually forgot how to post a picture

[@TheMakerMonster]

Send me an email! I'd love to see it

[@smokiethelo]

@@TheMakerMonster what is your email address

[@TheMakerMonster]

themakermonster at gmail

[@ghazale.355]

You don't always mention all your materials 😢

[@TheMakerMonster]

I tried to! Which one did you have a question about?

[@ghazale.355]

@@TheMakerMonster what did you make the base out of. I may have missed it but....I didn't seem to see any info regarding the martials. Also when you have worked with Borax crystals in the past are you aware of any successful way to secure them with any form of coating to make them more durable? That's really cool you responded to my question thank you 😊

[@wandaburns8075]

The mask is hideous, and the burping disgusting, but you DID do something with borax crystals that I had not seen before, so points for creativity.

[@belleamie4628]

Sorry, the silly mask doesn't add anything to your videos.

[@lillanna615]

That was very scary and gross face mask don't look right.. really bad

[@TashTash1780]

Why is your face like that.?

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

Wait, I thought you were going to make a cutting board. Because this is the worst cutting board video ever, if that's what you were trying to do. Just saying. BTW, I could make stuff like this too, if I had all those fancy tools and chemicals.

[@TheMakerMonster]

I can’t wait until I cover all my tools is foam and fleece and then nobody will ever have the tools I use! Funnily enough, one of the things I told myself when starting this idea was “I’m not going to be another person on KZbin making cutting board videos” Hahaha

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

@@TheMakerMonster bahahaha! Oh snap, we should collab on a fur covered cutting board