Translucent Fruit Bowl

Aandersson

DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
Translucent Fruit Bowl

Design and photography by AANDERSSON
Published in Spring 2019

It’s actually really fun to make this bowl. You are up against time because the hot plastic hardens as it cools, and while you can always re-heat and make adjustments, the ultimate form will reflect your quick movements to counteract gravity and the increasing tension in the plastic. The finished translucent bowl is roughly 13in (33cm) in diameter and it can be made larger by simply adding more plastic in step one. Assembly can be completed in about 1 hour and the parts cost less than 50 USD on average.

DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
Assembly
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1     Place roughly 25oz of plastic pellets in a medium sized bowl along with 3 color granules of your choice and 30 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
1     Place roughly 25oz of plastic pellets in a medium sized bowl along with 3 color granules of your choice and 30 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
2     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
2     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
3     Push out large air pockets and roll plastic into a sphere. Place the plastic back into the medium bowl and immerse in boiling water.
3     Push out large air pockets and roll plastic into a sphere. Place the plastic back into the medium bowl and immerse in boiling water.
4     After a few minutes, take the plastic out of the bowl with tongs or spoons and place on coated butcher paper or a very smooth surface.
4     After a few minutes, take the plastic out of the bowl with tongs or spoons and place on coated butcher paper or a very smooth surface.
5     Flatten out to a roughly 14in (35cm) circle.
5     Flatten out to a roughly 14in (35cm) circle.
6     Turn up the edges of the circle as the plastic starts to harden.
6     Turn up the edges of the circle as the plastic starts to harden.
7     As you pinch the edges upward, keep in mind that the plastic will harden in within roughly 5 minutes from the time you began flattening the sphere.
7     As you pinch the edges upward, keep in mind that the plastic will harden in within roughly 5 minutes from the time you began flattening the sphere.
8     The profile of the bowl should look deep and rounded as pictured.
8     The profile of the bowl should look deep and rounded as pictured.
9     Lastly, pour boiling water in a pan and hold a portion of the bowl under the water for 1-2 minutes. Smooth the surface of the plastic with your hands to remove finger prints and small bumps. Repeat on the rest of the bowl and make sure to keep the water hot.
9     Lastly, pour boiling water in a pan and hold a portion of the bowl under the water for 1-2 minutes. Smooth the surface of the plastic with your hands to remove finger prints and small bumps. Repeat on the rest of the bowl and make sure to keep the water hot.
Index
Parts
Polydoh Moldable Plastic Pellets with Color Granules, 32oz
Quantity required: 1
Tools
Coated Butcher Paper or Smooth Clean Surface
Medium-sized Pot
Large Pan
Help Each Other

2 thoughts on “Translucent Fruit Bowl”

    1. Unfortunately it’s not. This plastic is made to melt at lower temperatures in a way that is not toxic.

      Reply

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