Film Fun

Liquid Plastic Film

I read another letter asking about liquid plastic to fill molds.

I've been looking for years for the liquid plastic I used to use. I would make a frame for a petal or leaf out of wire, with a few inches at the end. I would dip my petals and leaves in a can or jar of colored liquid plastic, pull it out, let it drain and dry.

Then I would have a clear, colored, thin, flower petal ready to be assembled with others.

I cannot remember what this liquid was called or what companies made it. It came in what looked like small paint cans and also wide mouth plastic jars with screw top lids.

I can't find anyone who even remembers this.

Help!

Thanks a bunch.

T

I guess I'm dating myself by admitting I remember the plastic film you refer to.

I don't know if the liquid film is available anymore. As I recall, the creations were quite pretty but fragile.

Anyway, there is an out-of-print book on liquid plastic film which may be of help.

The book comes up on eBay from time to time at very good prices and is currently available at Biblio.com for about $6.

It's "Film Fun" by Alberta Meitin and was published in 1969. In it, the author says, "Film-fun is a relatively old craft; the earliest materials used for film creations may have been shellac and spider-webs. Though film dipping began over forty years ago, it has gained popularity only recently with the development of a strong, safe, and easy to use liquid film."

I don't have the book myself.

I found the quote above in a review. The book should contain brand names for the film to help you track it down if it is still made.

If it isn't made anymore, the book may provide enough information to allow you to experiment on your own. With the range of clear drying polyvinyl acrylics available today like Mod Podge and Elmer's Glue-All, I bet you can find a tint-able medium that would serve.

"Film Fun" contains 17 projects that might spark some ideas once you've perfected your recipe.

[ Note for our other readers: for info on T's reference to liquid plastic which is poured into molds, read about Ron Popeil's Plastic Flower Making Kit, as well as "Mr. Veg-O-Matic"s other fascinating inventions. Remember "It slices, it dices, it -" ?]

For more on why Fun Film may not be available anymore, Is Fun Film Still Available in the US?

Hi,

For all the people in the United States looking for Dip-It Fantasy Film, you can buy it at ClayAlley, located in Pennsylvania.

It's $9.25 a can with a $10 minimum order, so you would have to get two colors. I don't know how many ounces are in a single can.

Cheers,

Georgia