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== Myco-hat == | == Myco-hat == | ||
[[File:Plans.jpg|thumb|Plans and equipment used to create the mould for the mushroom hat]] | [[File:Plans.jpg|thumb|Plans and equipment used to create the mould for the mushroom hat|247x247px]] | ||
Project by Lucy Hale | Project by Lucy Hale | ||
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I began by planning the overall shape and method of creating the necessary mould for the structure. I decided to use some rather unconventional objects to create the mould such as a beach ball, bowl and papier-mâché in order to have a more rough, organic quality in the final outcome. | I began by planning the overall shape and method of creating the necessary mould for the structure. I decided to use some rather unconventional objects to create the mould such as a beach ball, bowl and papier-mâché in order to have a more rough, organic quality in the final outcome. | ||
Step 1. Creating the mould | Step 1. Creating the mould[[File:Small bowl .jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Small bowl covered with papier-mâché ]]The mould for the mushroom hat was made by creating a large semi-circular negative using a beach ball and a smaller head-space made by a small plastic mixing bowl bent to the shape of the average head. | ||
The mould for the mushroom hat was made by creating a large semi-circular negative using a beach ball and a smaller head-space made by a small plastic mixing bowl bent to the shape of the average head. | |||
These components were then covered in three layers of papier-mâché using newspaper, tissue paper, water and PVA glue. | These components were then covered in three layers of papier-mâché using newspaper, tissue paper, water and PVA glue. | ||
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These were then left to dry for 48 hours in which time the Mycelium bags (outlined in step 3 of the Myco-Tetris project) had fully cultivated. | These were then left to dry for 48 hours in which time the Mycelium bags (outlined in step 3 of the Myco-Tetris project) had fully cultivated. | ||
Once the moulds had dried, plastic wrap and duct tape was applied to the contact surfaces to ensure the mould was water proof and would have no direct contact with the Mycelium which would consume the paper elements. | Once the moulds had dried, plastic wrap and duct tape was applied to the contact surfaces to ensure the mould was water proof and would have no direct contact with the Mycelium which would consume the paper elements. [[File:Moulds.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Large ‘beach ball’ mould covered in papier-mâché ]] | ||
[[File:Moulds.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Large ‘beach ball’ mould covered in papier-mâché ]] | |||
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Using two mycelium bags in total, I began by breaking up the substrate by hand in a large box with latex gloves worn. | Using two mycelium bags in total, I began by breaking up the substrate by hand in a large box with latex gloves worn. | ||
Beginning with the large piece of the mould, I filled in an approximately 8- 10cm thick layer from the bottom of the mould with the mycelium substrate before inserting the small head-space negative mould on top of this. | Beginning with the large piece of the mould, I filled in an approximately 8- 10cm thick layer from the bottom of the mould with the mycelium substrate before inserting the small head-space negative mould on top of this. [[File:Infilling.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Filling in the mould]][[File:Infilling2.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Densely packing the mould]] | ||
[[File:Wrapped.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Mould sealed in plastic wrap]] | |||
Ensuring density was maintained by pushing the mycelium as deep as possible throughout, I then began to fill in the sides between the inner head-space negative and the large overall mould until the mycelium reached the top | [[File:Growth.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px|Partially grown mycelium in mould]]Ensuring density was maintained by pushing the mycelium as deep as possible throughout, I then began to fill in the sides between the inner head-space negative and the large overall mould until the mycelium reached the top | ||
At this point, plastic wrap was applied to the open top to seal in the mycelium, with a small hole pierced to allow a small amount of airflow. This was kept taut and secure by more duct tape. | |||
Step 3. Growth Stage | Step 3. Growth Stage | ||
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''*during this process, the mycelium unfortunately experienced some sunlight due to its placement which I believe contributed to its distress and subsequent browning. When doing this again, keeping the box in a dark but slightly warm environment would be most preferable to retain the white exterior.'' | ''*during this process, the mycelium unfortunately experienced some sunlight due to its placement which I believe contributed to its distress and subsequent browning. When doing this again, keeping the box in a dark but slightly warm environment would be most preferable to retain the white exterior.'' | ||
Step 4: Drying the mycelium | Step 4: Drying the mycelium | ||
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I did this 5 times over two days and am now left with a completely dehydrated, lightweight hat that has experienced no burning or shrinking. | I did this 5 times over two days and am now left with a completely dehydrated, lightweight hat that has experienced no burning or shrinking. | ||
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Ultimately I am very happy and proud of what I have created and I am seriously considering setting uop a small mycelium lab in my home to continue experimenting and also pitching the idea of mycelium workshops back in my home university. The mycelium hat has gone down a storm among my friends, family and professors and people are always shocked to hear that it is made of real mushroom mycelium. It’s already sat upon many people’s heads and I’ve had requests to make more and sell them! | Ultimately I am very happy and proud of what I have created and I am seriously considering setting uop a small mycelium lab in my home to continue experimenting and also pitching the idea of mycelium workshops back in my home university. The mycelium hat has gone down a storm among my friends, family and professors and people are always shocked to hear that it is made of real mushroom mycelium. It’s already sat upon many people’s heads and I’ve had requests to make more and sell them! | ||
[[File:Partiallygrown.jpg | [[File:Partiallygrown.jpg|thumb|150x150px|Partially grown mycelium removed from mould[[File:Growth2.jpg|thumb|150x150px|One week of growth in box ]]]] | ||
[[File:Growth2.jpg | [[File:Grown.jpg|thumb|150x150px|[[File:Friend5.jpg|thumb|150x150px|Myco-hat with acrylic paint spots ]][[File:Me in hat.jpg|thumb|150x150px|Me wearing the finished hat]][[File:Friend6.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px]][[File:Friend7.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px]]]] | ||
[[File:Grown.jpg| | [[File:Friend.jpg|thumb|150x150px|[[File:Friend4.jpg|left|thumb|150x150px]]]] | ||
[[File:Friend2.jpg|thumb|150x150px]] | |||
[[File:Friend2.jpg | |||
In the past few days, I made the decision to paint on some white spots with acrylic paint to emulate a toadstool and I believe this adds to its charm even more! My next plan for the project is to maybe create a cylindrical stand to hold the hat made out of wood which would make the overall structure resemble a whole mushroom, but this is something I will work on once I return to my home country. | In the past few days, I made the decision to paint on some white spots with acrylic paint to emulate a toadstool and I believe this adds to its charm even more! My next plan for the project is to maybe create a cylindrical stand to hold the hat made out of wood which would make the overall structure resemble a whole mushroom, but this is something I will work on once I return to my home country. | ||