Coraline Button Eyes (see through and prescription)

Coraline Button Eyes (see through and prescription)
Last summer at a convention, I cosplayed as the Other Mother from Coraline, and my friend cosplayed as the Other Wybie. I cannot wear contacts, so I made myself some prescription button eyes, while I made my friend non prescription ones. 

This is much better than using giant buttons which have very limited visibility. 

My friend claims he had perfect vision out of his button eyes, while mine minimally hurt my vision (the prescription lenses had different clarity depending on what angle I was looking out of them). 


 
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Step 1Materials

Materials
 Prescription glasses with round lenses (I bought this pair: http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?productid=815 for $9.95. If they are not available anymore, search around the website and you should be able to find a suitable pair). 

If making non prescription lenses, either use plexiglass or you could potentially find pre-cut glass circles (used in photography I think). 
Heat gun
Dremel tool with a sand grinder
Black Model Magic air dry clay by Crayola
soapy water (should be in a spray bottle, but I just dabbed it on)
Exacto knife or box cutter
Circle cutter or compass
Masking tape
Hole punch (1/8'' hole)
Ruler
Limo tint - can be bought in huge rolls, but you possibly could find some scraps at a place that tints windows or on ebay. Or PM me. I have a huge roll and I could potentially ship you some if you pay for shipping. 
Pliers
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31 comments
Dec 5, 2011. 4:37 PMtinker234 says:
excuse me could i just buy clear eyeglasses without the prescription
Aug 21, 2011. 6:16 PMpyro1234567890 says:
Mine are drying as I type this.
Sep 10, 2010. 5:19 PMCircus Bear says:
Are the glasses themselves good quality?
Oct 8, 2010. 2:34 PMbalisticsquirel says:
Great idea. Thanks for the instructable.

Most important first - DON'T breathe in glass dust!
This is something that's not commonly understood as a danger / risk. But as an example, i remember a 'warning' sent to me by an archaeologist who used a grinder on a dig without a mask, just once, and shortened his life-span by about 10 years. He was cutting rock, but glass is the same thing (silica) and it's when tiny shards are created that it becomes a problem. If anyone would like more info, let me know, or look up 'silicosis'.

If you're getting fumes from the plastic of any kind (incl. perspex / plexiglass) then you're cutting it too fast. Try using a hand saw to cut a piece of roughly the right size and then sand it down to the perfect shape. (PS: depending on the plastic, the fumes from melting it can be very toxic.)

I know i sound like a nanny about the dangers, but it's the reality of what you're dealing with.
Oct 23, 2010. 4:13 PMchocomento says:
Hi, how did you get the clay to stick to the lenses? Maybe I'm using some rogue clay (same brand, crayola model magic) but it's very difficult to mould and it won't stick at all. :( great instructable though.
Oct 24, 2010. 5:48 PMchocomento says:
Disregard this comment- I found a way around using the clay by painting two layers of puff paint around the edges instead. :)
Oct 20, 2010. 9:39 AMgalaxiepi says:
I'm in the process of making these now for a voodoo doll costume for Halloween, and I just printed black discs (with 4 clear holes in the middle) onto clear plastic projector paper at work, rather than use the limo tint. Just in case you have free office supplies at your disposal. ;)
Sep 27, 2010. 10:59 AMhappyjo says:
I lov lov lov lov lov lov lov it! Coraline is legit!
Sep 8, 2010. 12:01 PMdiy-guitar-guy says:
could you use a blank CD for the lenses cause they just cut with scissors and with a little sandpaper and friction their smooth as a new cadilac!
Sep 8, 2010. 9:05 AMyggdrazil says:
Awsome idea and look! creepy and cool. now just to make a giant mechanical praying mantis-car...
Sep 7, 2010. 11:06 AMMeesy7 says:
i cant wait to make them! did they ever fall of, even if you jump or run?
Feb 2, 2010. 10:38 AMdearfion says:
draw something like the funny eyes on it  haha
Jan 30, 2010. 4:33 AMsharlston says:
you look like ozzy osourne without the wrinkels LOL
Jan 28, 2010. 11:06 PMnocturnechanson says:
 perhaps you could get some place like lens crafters to cut  some discs out of blanks. they might even have non prescription blanks. 
Jan 28, 2010. 9:48 PMinsomniaSAH says:
Fantastic idea and execution! Good job.
Jan 27, 2010. 6:23 PMdepotdevoid says:
Oh man, that is absolutely creepy!  Totally awesome, five stars for you!  Do you have pictures of the full costume?
Jan 28, 2010. 6:53 AMdepotdevoid says:
Wow, that's great!  My daughter walked in while I was looking at the picture, you should have seen the look on her face!  Thanks for sharing wolfybrie.
Jan 28, 2010. 5:18 AMjezebelle says:
I love this, and three cheers for making it work so well!
How well did they stay on, and would they hold up against sweat and makeup?
Jan 27, 2010. 8:57 PMWard_Nox says:
my inner steampunk sees uses for this build
Jan 27, 2010. 7:18 PMHolly E. says:
I was just looking for instructions on how to make these, except I was just going to use round black sun glass lenses and paint on the button holes. This is awesome though! Way to go!
Jan 27, 2010. 5:10 PMzascecs says:
Pretty good for halloween.... 
Jan 27, 2010. 3:01 PMBigFriendlyNinja says:
I have to make these.........nuff said
Jan 27, 2010. 1:20 PMmasterochicken says:
Freakin sweet!

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Author:wolfybrie