Introduction: DIY Thrors' Map

About: I like to build things cheap, without buying anything except what I have(Which is mostly cardboard). I like Tolkien's works.

Some of us like books, especially the maps in them. I really like "The Hobbit" and I thought I should make Thror's map. And here I am! This can work on any printed map/drawing/writing.

Step 1: Printing

I couldn't find a suitable map to print, all of them were black or white or weren't the same map as the one in the book. I made a printable map, that was like the one in the book. Here it is: http://i.imgur.com/3TGWD82.png Print it with a laserjet printer and off we go. Note: go in image and save as Note II: Make sure in the preview that there is a border around the frame

Step 2: Cutting Borders

Now that you have it, before you age it like fine mead, You'll want to cut odd that border, not all the way though. Mark the borders on the right and left sides of the printed frame, making sure it has about 1/4 an inch of space after the printed frame. The lightly press on the marking with a hobby knife, although don't cut, since the light pressing you just did will let you rip a straight line, which will be straight, but still have the texture as if you ripped it, and that texture makes it look older. Now you have a bane. The top border that had the right amount of space from the frame, but it isn't cut. To make this look like the others, sandpaper it, but be sure not to sand the frame or any ink. If you want to round the edges, sandpaper them until desired.

Step 3: Initial Dipping

Prenote: you CAN stop after this step, if you wish To the point, you need to lay the paper on a shallow cookie pan, and make some tea, no sugar. Using the teabag as a brush, paint the paper. Wait about 5-8 minutes then pour the tea on. Be sure that the tea isn't over all the paper so It dries fast. Wait 15 minutes then pour the water out, then wait ten minutes just to dry it

Step 4: For Transport

Ok, when I made mine I had to leave and go to another place, but from previous tries, if you carry it regularly it will rip. to carry gently place a paper towel on a table, put the map on it, put another paper towel, put a pencil on the edge, and roll using he pencil as an aid. To open take the pencil out, the take the paper towels. If it curls, just place something on it

Step 5: Coloring

So you don't want it to look as pale as Gollum, smart. In this step you just need to put it back in a cookie pan, get two bowls, fill one with instant coffee And one with some strong tea, with two tea bags. Take the tea bag when it's soaking and dip in the instant coffee, and make sure the beads stick to it, if it dries out, splash some tea on it. Paint it brown like a dwarve's beard, and let that soak for a minute or two . Pour the tea in the coffee beads and you should have a thick blend, pour it on. Wait 10 minutes. Pour the liquid out, wait 3-4 minutes and get on to the next step. You can keep the brown liquid it you want

Step 6: Color Spreading

Note: if the paper isn't moist from last step, or it dried, use the liquid and slowly brush it on but make sure it isn't soaking. Ok, this step is easy, get some vinegar and pour it on from a higher place, and put it somewhere and leave It overnight.Doy mind the bubbles. Then in the morning, take it out and place some paper towels on it to get the vinegar out, wait a couple of minutes and done