A new era of blogging...

This Google blog is going to be a new era of my blogging. Since I started to post blogs online about 6 years ago with Livejournal for a mainly private journal, I've got some experience in using these things. Now, I'm going to use this one for one of the art classes called Art 130 3-D Design, that I'm taking this winter quarter at WWU. We are doing a Time Related Piece through out the whole quarter. After giving it some thought, I've decided to record an art project that I will be doing daily. Even though it will be a little each day, I'll be taking pics on my digital camera and posting them weekly here on this blog to show it's progress.

While I don't yet have a title for the piece, I will say a little about it without giving spoilers to the planned ending of the 2 month long project.

Step one/Day one: To learn how to make sugar cubes & get supplies. I searched on the web to find instructions on how to make sugar cubes. It's actually very easy & requires no cooking what-so-ever. Here is the recipe/instructions:

How to Make Sugar Cubes

By Joseph Eitel, eHow Contributor

Petite and sweet sugar cubes are a welcomed addition to any cup of tea or coffee, but they can be quite costly in grocery stores. Learning how to make these simple staples at home can save you money and expand your culinary knowledge. This is also a great project to do with children, as it requires no sharp objects or cooking. Making your own sugar cubes at home gives you control; you can use Splenda for a healthier version or raw cane sugar for a more natural take on the classic white sugar cube. A simple addition of food coloring to the sugar/water mixture can also turn your sugar cubes into something whimsical and unexpected.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mini ice cube tray
• 2 cups of sugar
• 2 tbsp.of hot water
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Fork
• Flat surface, such as a kitchen table

1. Combine two cups of sugar with two tablespoons of water in a mixing bowl.

2. Mix the sugar and water with a fork until it begins to hold its shape, similar to moist sand.

3. Spoon the sugar into the moldings of the mini ice cube tray.

4. Compact the sugar into its molding by pressing it gently with the back of the spoon or with your fingers.

5. Turn the mold over and gently tap the sugar cubes out.

6. Dry the cubes out by lining them up on a dry, flat surface. Do not touch them, as they will crumble while still moist. Allow them to sit and dry for anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the humidity.

After finding this, I went out to find the small ice cube mold/trays (in a silicone rubber material good for bending), at a local kitchen supply store here in Bellingham, WA. I found them at The Greenhouse on 1235 Cornwall Ave www.greenhousehome.com

The plan is to build something out of sugar cubes bit by bit over the course of 2 months.... what it will be is a surprise and what I will do with it an even greater one. :)


~Love & Rockets~
~R~