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Plus => Arts => Topic started by: Rasser on November 13, 2013, 02:32:05 AM

Title: Life counter abacus
Post by: Rasser on November 13, 2013, 02:32:05 AM
Saw this on you tube, thought I would make one.

https://twitter.com/rasserprime/status/400523838363947008
https://twitter.com/rasserprime/status/400523971499532288
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Anoobass on November 13, 2013, 02:51:08 AM
Annoying to make aren't they, super cool though! :P
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Arbitratur on November 14, 2013, 07:21:40 AM
Make sure to hit all the cut edges with a marker so it doesn't have the horrendous white cut edges. Touching up them with the marker makes it look very neat and finished and professional, I am in the process of making a {gutterskulk} one and noticed it looks so much better when u do that.... Just figured I'd share my findings with ya!
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 12:54:00 PM
1. That's awesome
2. How can I make one? How many cards are needed?
3. Oilers? I feel bad for you :(
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Arbitratur on November 19, 2013, 02:09:48 PM
Quote from: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 12:54:00 PM
1. That's awesome
2. How can I make one? How many cards are needed?
3. Oilers? I feel bad for you :(

Usually about 20 cards are needed give or take. I could explain the whole process but it would probably be easier if you just google it and watch some YouTube videos.

Materials
🔸Exacto knife
🔸Self healing cutting board (or something similar)
🔸Approx. 20 cards
🔸1 land card (this is the last card, that way under the beads you can have the color mana symbol in the background)
🔸Markers (I have fine artist tip sharpies)
🔸Beads
🔸Small thin piece of metal (like a paper clip but should be something stronger)
🔸Glue (idk what kind yet, haven't figured out the best kind, people said certain kinds can make the cards ripple and such)
🔸Lots of Patience!!!!!!!!!!!

You start by picking a card that has lots of layers, that way when you cut different things out, you can give it lots of dimension. I started by cutting out the bottom box from all of the cards except the back land card. Then cut different sections out of every card starting with the back most layer. By the time you get to the top layer there will only be very little that you have to cut around, most of the box will come out. Assemble all of the pieces for a "dry run" if it looks as if some layers would look better to be a little thicker, just duplicate that layer until all of the dimension looks right. Now color very lightly all of the edges with a marker, BE CAREFUL! if you put too much, it will bleed into the picture. But this really makes it look finished. Then cut out a notch into the cards in the bottom square where you can add the rods and beads. Then just glue them all together. I would recommend once they are all glued together to carefully put something heavy on it while it dries to make it REALLY stick. Then gaze at it in awe and wonder at what a wonderful piece of art you created!!!
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Rasser on November 19, 2013, 02:45:07 PM
That's about it. The guy in the vid I watched used a safety pin as the rod for the beads. I used some dollar store super glue. It worked good, sets quick. You need small beads or else there isn't enough room for the all.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 05:31:01 PM
Quote from: Arbitratur on November 19, 2013, 02:09:48 PM
Quote from: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 12:54:00 PM
1. That's awesome
2. How can I make one? How many cards are needed?
3. Oilers? I feel bad for you :(

Usually about 20 cards are needed give or take. I could explain the whole process but it would probably be easier if you just google it and watch some YouTube videos.

Materials
🔸Exacto knife
🔸Self healing cutting board (or something similar)
🔸Approx. 20 cards
🔸1 land card (this is the last card, that way under the beads you can have the color mana symbol in the background)
🔸Markers (I have fine artist tip sharpies)
🔸Beads
🔸Small thin piece of metal (like a paper clip but should be something stronger)
🔸Glue (idk what kind yet, haven't figured out the best kind, people said certain kinds can make the cards ripple and such)
🔸Lots of Patience!!!!!!!!!!!

You start by picking a card that has lots of layers, that way when you cut different things out, you can give it lots of dimension. I started by cutting out the bottom box from all of the cards except the back land card. Then cut different sections out of every card starting with the back most layer. By the time you get to the top layer there will only be very little that you have to cut around, most of the box will come out. Assemble all of the pieces for a "dry run" if it looks as if some layers would look better to be a little thicker, just duplicate that layer until all of the dimension looks right. Now color very lightly all of the edges with a marker, BE CAREFUL! if you put too much, it will bleed into the picture. But this really makes it look finished. Then cut out a notch into the cards in the bottom square where you can add the rods and beads. Then just glue them all together. I would recommend once they are all glued together to carefully put something heavy on it while it dries to make it REALLY stick. Then gaze at it in awe and wonder at what a wonderful piece of art you created!!!

Awesome thanks!
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:13:58 PM
What's a good (fairly easy common) from RTR block/Theros/M14 to do?
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Vileo on November 19, 2013, 07:19:02 PM
Giant Growth?
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:22:26 PM
That was my plan lol so that's probably what I'll do :D
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Vileo on November 19, 2013, 07:24:04 PM
Lol good call then. xD
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:34:53 PM
Obviously the Bear art right?
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Anoobass on November 19, 2013, 07:37:01 PM
Fat pack card booklets are perfect for finding which card to do, hope this helps :P
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:38:24 PM
Oh true I always forget about those lol maybe ill drop $600 and do {Stormbreath Dragons}!!
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Vileo on November 19, 2013, 08:23:40 PM
Quote from: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:38:24 PM
Oh true I always forget about those lol maybe ill drop $600 and do {Stormbreath Dragons}!!
Dont screw up! Lol
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Anoobass on November 20, 2013, 12:36:01 AM
Quote from: Vileo on November 19, 2013, 08:23:40 PM
Quote from: Mattao19 on November 19, 2013, 07:38:24 PM
Oh true I always forget about those lol maybe ill drop $600 and do {Stormbreath Dragons}!!
Dont screw up! Lol
This! I screwed up on elspeth (gods willing) and was super mad.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Juggalonoke on December 11, 2013, 02:42:50 AM
So has anyone made one to show off or trade?
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Anoobass on December 11, 2013, 04:01:34 AM
I made a few for my friends for Xmas presents.  If you would like to see them I could post.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Metalxdelights on December 11, 2013, 02:22:20 PM
Really great ideas!  I'm going to give it a go, I think I have the perfect cards in mind. :)
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Ertai on December 11, 2013, 03:50:54 PM
Do you think Michaels would have the beads? I'm having a hard time finding them.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Metalxdelights on December 11, 2013, 03:54:49 PM
Quote from: Ertai on December 11, 2013, 03:50:54 PM
Do you think Michaels would have the beads? I'm having a hard time finding them.

What kind of beads are you looking for? Wood, stone, acrylic or just beads period?
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Ertai on December 11, 2013, 04:23:34 PM
Yeah it doesn't matter much to me. Though wood would be nice.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Metalxdelights on December 11, 2013, 06:21:49 PM
I'd try michaels, Joann's or hobby lobby. Michaels and Joann's has a better selection of jewelry making tools, the ones located here have a full section for it. You could even get colored metal rods to use to hold the beads. Last resort would be Walmarts craft section. I think I'm going to either Indian glass beads or wood for mine.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Ertai on December 11, 2013, 06:58:57 PM
I found some nice glass beads at Micheals, I also found some floral line. Some metal line that's really thin that would work nicely for 1.50$.
Title: Re: Life counter abacus
Post by: Metalxdelights on December 11, 2013, 07:38:44 PM
That's great! More than likely I'm getting the rest of my materials tomorrow after work, I'm really excited for a new craft project. :)