Just thought I should give everyone a heads up about Plasticine and other oil-based clays. I'm seeing it mentioned allot in several posts I've read
about formicarium building.
The problem is many oil based clays contain sulfur, and some contain various solvents or petroleum products that might be poisonous to something as small as an ant. It might be better to use something else to make your tunnels when you make plaster/gypsum formicarium. Granted, most of these aren't water soluble and wont absorb into the plaster, but there is always a chance for traces of them to be left behind as a residue. You would have to use soap to get rid of any traces, and that's probably even worse.
Here's some alternatives:
'silicone safe' oil clays: Meaning clays like Plasticine that are labeled as safe for use with rtv silicone rubber, which reacts badly to sulfur. I don't actually recommend this, since I don't know what else is in there, but if you MUST use an oil clay, check the back for this. At the very least, it wont have sulfur.
Bees wax: And old favorite of mine. I love this stuff. It smells good, shapes well, and it holds it's shape wonderfully. If you use sheets, you can shape it easily. It's a little harder to shape a block unless you warm it a bit. It will be a little harder to get out of the tunnels and chambers than Plasticine, though.
Don't use anything that's been bleached or dyed since many of the chemicals used in those processes are poisonous. Get the natural stuff. Try comb foundation wax sheets, which is what bee keepers use in hives to stimulate comb building. You can find some here: http://www.brushymountain...ndation/productinfo/170/ (WARNING: all wax, including bees wax, is flammable. Never try to melt it in a microwave, in an oven, or in a pan on direct heat. Use a candle melter that can be found in many craft stores, a crock pot, or any heat source that you can touch bare handed. Also note that liquid wax is hot, and may burn you if you get it on you.)
Clay: Just plain old every day clay. Mother natures own sculpting compound. I love this stuff more than beeswax. Believe it or not, as long as it's wet it wont stick to the plaster. While you shape your tunnels and chambers, make sure all the clay stays moist. I use a spray bottle. Once your done, let it dry just a little till it's leathery but not crumbly, then pour your plaster. It will stain the plaster though, so make sure you use white or gray clay. Unless you want reddish or brownish tunnels, that is. I've used that effect on purpose for regular sculpting a time or two.
And that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I strongly recommend clay. Beeswax would take a bit more work, though you might be able to get some neat geometric effects by cutting it into shapes and adding several layers.
The problem is many oil based clays contain sulfur, and some contain various solvents or petroleum products that might be poisonous to something as small as an ant. It might be better to use something else to make your tunnels when you make plaster/gypsum formicarium. Granted, most of these aren't water soluble and wont absorb into the plaster, but there is always a chance for traces of them to be left behind as a residue. You would have to use soap to get rid of any traces, and that's probably even worse.
Here's some alternatives:
'silicone safe' oil clays: Meaning clays like Plasticine that are labeled as safe for use with rtv silicone rubber, which reacts badly to sulfur. I don't actually recommend this, since I don't know what else is in there, but if you MUST use an oil clay, check the back for this. At the very least, it wont have sulfur.
Bees wax: And old favorite of mine. I love this stuff. It smells good, shapes well, and it holds it's shape wonderfully. If you use sheets, you can shape it easily. It's a little harder to shape a block unless you warm it a bit. It will be a little harder to get out of the tunnels and chambers than Plasticine, though.
Don't use anything that's been bleached or dyed since many of the chemicals used in those processes are poisonous. Get the natural stuff. Try comb foundation wax sheets, which is what bee keepers use in hives to stimulate comb building. You can find some here: http://www.brushymountain...ndation/productinfo/170/ (WARNING: all wax, including bees wax, is flammable. Never try to melt it in a microwave, in an oven, or in a pan on direct heat. Use a candle melter that can be found in many craft stores, a crock pot, or any heat source that you can touch bare handed. Also note that liquid wax is hot, and may burn you if you get it on you.)
Clay: Just plain old every day clay. Mother natures own sculpting compound. I love this stuff more than beeswax. Believe it or not, as long as it's wet it wont stick to the plaster. While you shape your tunnels and chambers, make sure all the clay stays moist. I use a spray bottle. Once your done, let it dry just a little till it's leathery but not crumbly, then pour your plaster. It will stain the plaster though, so make sure you use white or gray clay. Unless you want reddish or brownish tunnels, that is. I've used that effect on purpose for regular sculpting a time or two.
And that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I strongly recommend clay. Beeswax would take a bit more work, though you might be able to get some neat geometric effects by cutting it into shapes and adding several layers.
