Making A Magical FAIRY Lantern (with resin crystals!)

I finally made a fairly nightlight! AD: Head to squarespace.co... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using NERDFORGE.
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SCHEMATIC: thenerdforge.c...
I took a cheap lantern I found at a local dollar store and turned it into a fairy nightlight inspired by princess mononoke! It features polymer clay creatures and epoxy resin crystals!
🧰 MATERIALS:
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Cheap lantern
Translucent white polymer clay
Black polymer clay
Acrylic paints & black spray paint
4 white single LEDs (3V)
12V ice blue LED strips
Female DC power plug
Standard 12V 1A power supply
Flat wires
Epoxy resin
Glitter flakes
Blue resin pigment
IKEA "Fejka" faux plants
Diorama grass flock
Exterior foam coat (ground texture)
Diorama miniature ivy
🔨 TOOLS:
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Mayku FormBox for vacuum forming
Soldering iron and supplies
Hot glue
Oven
🔔 SOCIAL:
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🐤 Twitter - / thenerdforge
💜 Website - www.thenerdfor...
✉️ BUSINESS CONTACT: [e-mail]

[@sovashchetty4838]

I wonder if her neighbours ever look out the window and say: "There she goes again, stealing our gravel or flowers."

[@SashaSRenee]

I honestly hope that they watch her videos

[@eda5927]

I believe they're cool with it it's not like she's stealing a entire cliff or something 😂

[@alien_1232]

@Bruno Conner why would you want to do that tho?

[@JaeTakesControl]

what cracks me up about this is the fact that I do the same thing with our apartment complex

[@elieli2893]

"Okay, while the tree is cooking in the oven, let's make some crystals!" Sounds like the most surreal cooking show ever :'D

[@maryblaylock6545]

Sounds like my kind of cooking!

[@macarango1184]

Huh better then my cooking

[@Sascha_LB]

The best comment everv

[@oftankoftan]

Let's cook, Jessie.

[@rosemarypaul6093]

Sounds like a lesson Delia Smith should have done. She's done everything else!

[@alexanders2803]

Project idea: a phone case that looks like a book, with straps, tiny buckles ets. Like the books you have already made but small and with a phone inside.

[@d.menace9256]

That's dumb

[@d.menace9256]

Just kidding

[@d.menace9256]

😎

[@jeffreymoffitt4070]

I would like to see this!

[@AnotherMADCreation]

I'd love that, and I want one now!

[@caddy3367]

"I've never done this before..." "I don't know if this will work..." Results: always stunning

[@maryblaylock6545]

I know that I'm impressed! To step boldly where she has never gone!

[@abeearoundapomegranate5333]

Everyone else: *seemless transition to ad that grows more and more complicated with every video* Martina: HERE'S OUR SQUARESPACE AD

[@justloggedin2969]

to be fair, I love watching their ads because the "aaand back to the project" catchphrase is something I look forward to, it's cute, wether it's done by Martina or Hansi

[@annehiddink8836]

Me: *sees Martina struggling with the crystals* “Hmm she should’ve used mold release” Martina: “I swear if I see any comments about mold release...” Me: “okay then...” 0_0

[@Teddy-mu5pw]

Anne Hiddink isn’t it mould release? Idk tho

[@AnotherMADCreation]

@@Teddy-mu5pw in the US it's spelled mold, in the rest of the known universe, it's spelled correctly as mould.

[@annehiddink8836]

Quinna’s Life I’m originally Dutch so I wasn’t sure, I wrote it down like this and because I always triple check my spelling I looked it up online and said mold release was correct, but indeed both mold and mould are correct.

[@tokus64]

@@Teddy-mu5pw No, its called mo(u)ld release

[@autumngalix4616]

@@AnotherMADCreation News papers used to charge by the letter, so people here in the US started spelling words shorter. Colour is now color, favourite is now favorite, and mould is now mold. Basically, it's because of capitalism.

[@aristothethrone9032]

lol the dream is to have a big grandfather clock that actually tells the time. but if you look inside it's like a tiny fairy wonderland. and when it strikes 12 it plays some Tim Burton-y like fantasy music so I can put on a scowl and say. " Ay, it be the witchin' hour don't ye doubt." or the sound of children laughing and running to really give people goosebumps. maybe the sound of a door opening and a floor creaking under someone's weight. if I had the motivation to make things. I'd pour my focus into nightmare fuel. just imagine someone breaking into my house and hearing any one of these things. oh and also that thump....draaaag...thump noise. I'd also put a battery bank in it just so if someone unplugged it. it would still be able to make noise omg the fear that would grip their heart would add 19 years to my life.

[@elainagranse8170]

I am going to shamelessly use this idea next time I write something fantasy/horror because there is tragically no way I could make this or afford to have someone else make it for me.

[@previously4821]

This is beautiful!

[@aristothethrone9032]

@@elainagranse8170 you're welcome to it. I should tell you about the old nightmare I ad of shadow crawlers. they live in halls ways and they can only be seen as you're turning the corner. they feed o dying rays of sunlight. tey can only come into your home at night when the windows are open. when they speak it sounds like crickets chirping. they can only be driven out of your home if you use a spray bottle with water that's been boiled. my childhood imagination was filled with little horrors.

[@aristothethrone9032]

thank you kindly. the power of imagination.

[@nope975]

Maybe you could pay someone to make it for you

[@owlsnstuff9088]

The tree-base looks like a little man-monster-thing just sitting and chillin'. Really beautiful and cool project❤

[@davewilliams6172]

Should have made the tree an Ent.

[@maryblaylock6545]

@@davewilliams6172 ooh that would be so cool!

[@mellvee]

I'm a sculptor and my polymer clay trees always look that way. Lol. I've learned to embrace it. 🤷

[@eimaanahmad8839]

Ok so to preserve the plants try to dip them in UV resin and adjust them, then cure. I've tried this with a couple flowers and it works for me!

[@octolaguna]

oh this looks so much better than just putting a boring old candle in there!! a great idea. this video is inspiring me to try something similar, myself. looking forward to the next project as well!! :D

[@asunayuki5615]

I love the movie Princess Mononoke and especially the little forest ghosts! Great work 🌱🐺👍🏻

[@Dulbob]

The Kodama! They’re amazing little guys 😍

[@maryblaylock6545]

I have never seen this one. I will have to look for it. Anything that calls for little glowing forest creatures is truly my jam.

[@asunayuki5615]

Ah, that‘s what there are called. Thank you! 😄

[@poisonpoptart9627]

Mononoke

[@olejohanfriestad630]

5:00 We can put LED's in it WOOOO

[@lesleyyoung5730]

Grass Tip: put your 'grass' in a cup add glue and thoroughly mix. You can add the glue grass to trees as well. Hope it helps.

[@maryblaylock6545]

That is a good tip. THANKS!

[@gr0m545]

"So while the tree is cooking in the oven" is a sentence that I didn't think I would ever need to hear in my life.

[@FigmentsMade]

I love how the translucent clay glows with the LEDs! And the lit up crystals look really cool too. This is such a neat idea!

[@norseworg3657]

I absolutely love the result of this. I could imagine a winter garden with a study desk full of these diorama terrariums in different shapes and color, would been absolutely amazing. Love your crafts.

[@donnarosebusa3863]

Seeing Martina being so excited about her craft is so amazing. It frankly cheers me up from a bad day at work.

[@Khether0001]

The effect of the led inside this kind of polymer clay is just OUTSTANDING!!! Lovely build!!! 🙂

[@MrBaldypete1]

If my daughter gets into fairies and stuff when she's older, this is the sort of thing I'd build for her. Looks great! :)

[@maryblaylock6545]

The very thought makes you a good dad!

[@YeahNo]

Baldy Pete Girls and fairies are a given - start planning now.

[@MrBaldypete1]

@@maryblaylock6545 Thank you so much! She's my first so I'm thinking ahead! :D

[@MrBaldypete1]

@@YeahNo Hahahaha, I guess so. Most of my female cousins were into fairies and sparkly things when we were kids. I'll definitely start planning now though! :D

[@rosscoeism]

You keep making me want to make a diorama.. my list of things to finish gets longer every time i watch your videos guys another stunning make Also my shoppimg list now includes a vacuum former... thanks for that

[@arthistorywithtravisleecla6343]

It's like embalming fluid for flowers! Awesome diorama Martina!

[@MKahn84]

Yet another masterpiece! It's amazing how you can turn the simplest things into real artworks!

[@dianegriffen2756]

I never fail to find your crafts awe inspiring and stunning. Thank you.

[@pfcande]

Me: Don't they make stuff to get the epoxy out a little easier?" Her .7 seconds later: "I swear I don't want to see one comment about mold release." Me: Oh... So I guess they do....

[@emmahayes111]

Argh this looks amazing! That’s it I am going to finally do my tiny Skyrim diorama! Glowing mushrooms ftw!

[@zatoth13]

Martina: “Aiiiigggghhhhh!” Also Martina: (project turns out phantasmagorical)

[@patrickmardis5955]

You guys should make the lanterns from Minecraft!! That would be so cool, especially in the art style you guys have!!

[@Sarah-Rae]

Peter Brown made an awesome redstone torch, check out his video. But I'd LOVE to see you make one too!

[@n.c.pictures]

More minecraft stuff in general would be epic

[@LaineyBug2020]

That translucent polymer clay would be the perfect medium to make a Patronus statuette!

[@maryblaylock6545]

YES!

[@suzyekstrom4403]

Hey for future plant preservation projects, try Silica gel - Buy the stuff that is specifically for plant drying (Don't save the packets that come in everything its not the same, been there done that) Place the plants or flowers immediately in after picking and cover them completely. Preserves color, shape and preserves them perfectly for your next project!

[@maymayaddison4912]

i have a huge bias for ghibli inspired crafts, so knowing you love ghibli and seeing you make something inspired by/from one of the movies is so lovely. i think it'd be super cool if you did another ghibli inspired project of some sort :]

[@riliththerogue]

Been in a bit of a crafting slump for various reasons, and just wanted to say that watching you guys really makes me want to create and have fun doing so again. Thank you so much for that, please stay safe, much love!

[@kotadawndragon]

I think this is probably my favorite diorama you've made so far. It's lovely! And speaks to my love of anything Studio Ghibli.

[@JCetto.2612]

I just screamed when you lit those tree people... you are incredible!

[@whazee]

Your home must be filled with such fantastical delights! ☺

[@SoulSpectar]

A few things: I've watched you for a looong time, and hearing your English become clearer is just the coolest thing. Not that it's ever been bad, but your natural accent is a lot milder compared to a few years ago! Second, this project is actually something I see myself doing. A lot of your other projects were cool to watch, but so intimidating. I don't know if it's from watching you, or just the project itself, but I can do this! And I will! Thank you for all of these wonderful years and projects!

[@rosemarypaul6093]

May I give you a bit of advice for the next time you make crystals from resin and your vacuum plastic former. The resin would have popped right out if the mold was silicone. There are silicone mold making kits out there as I use 2 different ones. My favorite is Alumilite Mold Rubber Kit, it makes a silicone mold to pour your resin into. With a plastic mold you may need a release powder. Next time you do one, spread some release powder over the surface of the plastic that is going down on top of your molds. Then your hardened resin forms should pop out when you're ready for them. I hope this helps a bit. I love your art. I wish I could have seen what sort of light up wire you used on the transparent fimo and how you protected it while it was in the oven though.

[@BuiceyJox]

It looks very cool, your videos have really been a big inspiration with the crafty part of myself. Again, it looks really cool, you two are both amazing in your craft!

[@saranorling165]

OMG!!! I love the Forest spirits from Princess Mononoke!!! 😍

[@ladykaeproductions147]

This. Is so. CUTE!!! I've watched your videos for a while now, and can I just say how talented you are? You inspire so many people through this, and in fact, a very good friend of mine decided to start making projects of her own because of you! I adore your work and can't wait to see what you do in the future! ❤️❤️❤️

[@robertstricker9154]

just beautiful like everything you do, so much talant and creativity in one person so amazing

[@annamodna4360]

Talent and skills aside, I think that your working place and variety of tools and components is an object of envy.

[@Spiderprinceneo]

"I'm gonna put forest spirits on the tree" Me; Yay! Kodamas!!

[@Steelmage99]

To keep moss and clump foliage in place, water down wood glue (like 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part glue) and paint it on the foliage. 2 or 3 thin layers will turn it rock hard.

[@ArtisticallySpeaking-2]

It's so beautiful, and Princess Mononoke is one of my favorite movies.

[@brianahawkins8124]

Your Fairy Night Light looks Beautiful, I'm sure the fake candle can be still useful for a next project, like turning it into a phoenix lantern or a fire elemental lantern. Keep up the great work NerdForge. :)

[@mothpawbs027]

The little kodamas are SO cute!!

[@MrTheMighty]

"I never knew the forest god made the flowers grow." You know how people sometimes have a sort of mental list of the five films they wouldn't want to live without? "Desert Island" films, that sort of thing. Princess Mononoke is one of my five. I could watch it any day, and I notice new details every time. A beautiful film, and a beautiful lantern diorama to capture that energy.

[@maryblaylock6545]

Wow! I have just got to see this one!

[@MrTheMighty]

@@maryblaylock6545 I hope you get to! :)

[@maryblaylock6545]

@@MrTheMighty 🍑

[@MrJozza65]

Really nice, using the Ikea plastic plants was a wonderful idea

[@maryblaylock6545]

I didn't even know that IKEA made those.

[@juliavasylieva5090]

Turned out really pretty! ^_^ As for tiny bits of moss falling off, oh boy, do I know the struggle. However isopropanol and scenic glue usually help me keep it all sealed. Looking forward your next projects!

[@barabasj]

Princess Mononoke.... wow... I love Noface! great picture!

[@ritam8712]

AMAZING!! and those flames!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 we need a 101 art class on flames!!!!!! 😀😀😀😀

[@TheArtofADHD]

Thank you SO MUCH for this!!! You have managed to inspire me when nobody or nothing else could. So much love for this project!!!! ❤

[@Gen_z_brat]

I am so all for the positive energy. Have a nice day and stay hydrated

[@MonarchOfSugars]

You should make one of those bonzai trees people make by bundling up a bunch of wires and twisting them into the right shape. Like, the entire thing is just wires, twisted into the trunk, and then into smaller groups to make branches, splitting into smaller and smaller bundles until they get twisted into leaf shapes. That would be so cool.

[@matejazivkovic6471]

You're actually the best channel on KZbin, you always bring a smile on my face and I've watched every video you've made, keep going I love your work, bye!

[@jankersten4543]

The next time you want to do epoxy crystals you can try this: Make a four to six sided pole of tinted epoxy. The pole could be as long as you want, so you can make more crystals out of it. Use a saw to cut the pole to a raw crystal shape (or more). With some grinding and maybe polish give the crystal the finished look.

[@ratcat2005]

I love this build so much!

[@wandarichardson4213]

I absolutely love this!!! Thank you for sharing✌💛☺

[@willrush1]

These fairy/crystal inspired projects are always cool!!

[@Dreymasmith]

Beautiful and whimsical!

[@anneargo-davies692]

I use hairspray on my most so all those bits don't fall off. Love your work and sense of humor, you are the best.

[@YourArmsGone]

try heating up the Thermal plastic to release the molds. It should get soft and make them easier to pull out. ( I'm not sure if this counts as a mold release comment. )

[@IIIIOTL]

I'm new to your channel and really envious of your supplies and work space! Will you ever make a work space tour, or show your work area?

[@airunee]

I've never watched Mononoke but it's so adorable how those lil ghosts look like they're going WEE WOO 😂

[@robote7679]

I couldn't see where you were going at first. By the time you'd finished though another thoroughly creative, magical creation. It is a wonderful thing watching your creative process as it puts things together and figures things out. Quite inspiring actually.

[@3llevate]

I'll mention mold release BECAUSE, not only do you struggle without it but, you ALSO deprive us of VERY satisfying unmolding footage!!!!!

[@AshleyLynne13]

I need to stop watching these before work, it makes me want to be creative and instead I have to go do things xp

[@dagguerrero]

This looks so pure and beautiful! 😯😍

[@flohfantasy560]

OMG, that looks so cool! I love these forest spirits as well, maybe I'll try and make something similar! Thanks for the inspiration ^^ I really love your content!

[@clab9041]

Beautiful! I love your kodamas from ‘Princess Mononoke’! My favorite Ghibli film.

[@aiyaria]

Absolutely LOVE how this turned out!! Beautiful art piece by a beautiful crafter 😍❤

[@georgeroberts612]

Just like to say I came across your channel by accident and watched and u are very talented and now look forward to seeing more awesome things thank u for sharing keep up the amazing work

[@LashDee]

As a (an?) Norwegian, its warms my geek/nerd heart to see your projects, and kinda proud also ^_^ Keep it up! :D (love the Kodamas, I have one myself)

[@heidiavera8851]

Beautiful showed it to my kids as soon as I saw it they love it

[@ricardoteixeiracorrea6437]

I realy enjoy your projects and it's easy to understand you. Your videos are my daily english class.✌️

[@Brandywine6969]

You could run hot water from the tap on those to release them. You might have to work the water in through the top of the mold to get it started, but they will release easier without having to cut the plastic mold. Mineral oil might be worth an experiment and might work even better.

[@Love.Yourself.1976]

Absolutely beautiful! ❣️❣️❣️ Excellent work!

[@karmicmoon41]

Another beautiful project. I really like the lantern idea. That's something I feel I could do...not all the rest like you do of course, but my own version. Thank you for always inspiring me :)

[@wisterianna1]

Yes u love the kodomos in the tree. I fell in love with them also in that movie. They also make an appears in my neighbor Totoro.

[@HunterLvyiXIII]

Where?! 😀 I will watch that movie right now to see them!

[@NineEyedOracle]

Dude I feel like your house has GOT to be seriously dope with all of these cool dioramas and books/journals and whatnot around! I aspire to do the same ^-^ Your channel has been my artistic muse the past few days. (I primarily paint in oils, but still)

[@mahinat5985]

OMG コダマfrom もののけ姫‼︎ Sooo cuteee❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@shelbybrown4192]

I have binged watched all your videos now 😆 they are always lovely to watch. When did you start all this? How how did you get exposed to all your woodworking and crafting? Everything is amazing :)

[@KaylaGranland]

Oh lordy this is cute! Also love the black sweatshirt with the embroidered roses down the sleeveee

[@chaosreigns13213]

now this is a really cool project. love it!

[@NorahIK]

these are the happiest forest spirits i've ever seen!

[@jenna4678]

Your creativity and talent blows my mind!!!! Every video!!!

[@shiroi201]

Awwww i immedia5ely noticed the little kodama sitting in the tree when i saw the thumbnails so i just had to click! Everything turned out so cuuute😍

[@donitaforrest9064]

Adorable addition to your Vanlife.

[@AnotherMADCreation]

This came out really cool.... I'm going to have to make something like this for my house.

[@Brandywine6969]

I love your ideas and designs and how you make things work. This is great.

[@riversunhawk6192]

Try putting the molded stuck pieces in boiling water, it softens the plastic and helps it to release!

[@taramariatravis2486]

Epic beautiful details and wow the design is awesome ❤🎉❤🎉 thank you for sharing ❤❤❤❤

[@dianevierra781]

this is so enchanting!

[@kiwihippie]

Beautiful work 💜

[@marniflette]

You really got your own universe, that"s brilliant!!

[@stacycowles2843]

OMG I love Studio Ghibli movies and this is sooo cute!!!!

[@deboeduify]

I would absolutely buy this. I love it. I can't!!! Omg it's so beautiful!!!! I need it!!! ❤️😍

[@andrewjackson740]

Beautiful end result as always! I really enjoying watching your videos! In regards to the plant preservation, I’ve seen a few videos where people will use silica gel beads to dry flowers to put them in resin and it keeps the colors and shapes of the plants/flowers relatively the same although it does take a couple weeks (Nick Zammetti here on KZbin did a project with that). Don’t know if that would be something to help or interest you or not but wanted to pass it along :)

[@megs7019]

Very cool, love things from ikea, enjoyed watching your dyi videos. Also love your kitty cat!

[@daphnepageau5068]

WOW , I mean it’s the first time I saw one of your video! It’s awesome if you ever sell them I would buy one for sure 😧 You really have so much talent ❤️