Chibitronics Twinkle Fairy Wings

by Warriorlibrarian

76021

Intro: Chibitronics Twinkle Fairy Wings

Add twinkle to homemade fairy (or bug) wings with Chibitronics.

Materials needed:

  • ribbon
  • foam board
  • cardstock
  • tissue paper
  • plastic wrap
  • white glue and water
  • coin battery (4)
  • Chibitronics twinkle circuit sticker (4)
  • Chibitronics white LEDs (28)
  • copper tape
  • Coin battery holders (4)
  • glitter (optional)
  • tape

Tools needed:

  • scissors
  • foam brush
  • paper shape punch (optional)

STEP 1: Make the Paper

  1. Determine the size you would like to make your wings. This example just uses an 8.5 X 11 cardstock sheet for one wing. Cover the cardstock in plastic wrap, smooth it out and tape to keep it in place.
  2. Determine your color combinations of tissue paper, tear it up into irregular pieces around 2, 3 and 4 inches.
  3. Mix glue and water 1:1. Paint a thin layer of glue/water over the plastic to start with the foam brush. Layer the tissue pieces over the plastic covered cardstock. You will want around four layers. Sprinkle with glitter, if desired.
  4. Let dry completely and then peel the tissue creation off the plastic. It should peel off easily.

STEP 2: Cut Out the Wings

  1. Draw on your wing shapes and use scissors to cut out.

Note: you may want to keep the scraps for later.

STEP 3: All About That Foam Base

  • Cut a 6" x 3" piece of foam board, this will the base to glue on the wings, the coin battery holders, the Chibitronics circuit effects sticker and ribbon attachment for tying on the wings.
  • Glue the wing pieces on to one side of the base.
  • Poke two holes in the top .5 " and the bottom .5", at each corner of the foam base. Cut two pieces of ribbon and feed the ribbon through these holes.
  • If the wings don't completely cover the foam base, do something creative to cover it up!

STEP 4: Build the Circuits

  1. This project uses this template for coin battery holders: http://simonetti.media.mit.edu/~jieqi/2012/01/pape... (see template)
  2. Tape the coin battery holders to the foam base at the bottom corners just above the ribbons.
  3. Press the copper tape from the battery holders on to the base, being mindful for placement of the - and the + portions of the Chibitronics circuit and the coin battery. Connect the signal pad of the circuit with the + copper line. Place the sticky Chibitronics circuit over the copper tape, press firmly in place.
  4. Use more copper tape to create the - and + circuit lines, slightly overlapping the beginning copper tape pieces from the battery holder. Be sure to keep the - and + lines close together, but never touching. Press down firmly. This is where glitter may become a problem (as if glitter could be a problem!), the sticky back of the copper tape and the Chibitronics LEDs become difficult to work with over the glitter.
  5. Place sticky Chibitronics LEDs along the two copper lines being mindful that the - and + ends of the LEDs match the corresponding - or + copper lead, staggering. Press down firmly.

STEP 5: Extra Twinkles

  1. Repeat the same steps for another line of twinkles with a small variation. This variation will tell the LEDs to twinkle in an alternating pattern. The included PDF from Chibitronics will explain how to place the copper tape.
  2. Now you have three copper leads. Place the Chibitronics LEDs along either side of the copper leads, staggering. Press firmly in place.

STEP 6: The Other Wing...

  1. Repeat the circuit building process for the opposite wing. However, build the circuit opposite of the first wing to add more twinkle variation.
  2. Use the ribbon ties to wear the fairy wings by tying over and under the shoulder with a bow in the front.

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