Coin Pouches

My wallet doesn't have a place to hold coins, so I searched for a coin pouch. Eventually, I got this from Amazon:

It's made from PVC so it's quite flexible. You squeeze it to open and it closes when you let go. It sounds a bit insecure, but it's quite thick, so I don't have any problems with coins dropping out. Inside, it has a logo saying "Quikoin".
Likes

• Can open with one hand
• Large area to display coins; makes finding coins faster
• Secure
• Fits beside my wallet in my pocket
• Capacity is just right

Dislikes

• I don't really like PVC as a material, and this must have lots of plasticiser so it may not be healthy.
• Sometimes, it doesn't open and bends inwards instead.

But before this, I tried making it out of InstaMorph:

This didn't work, because InstaMorph is too stiff. If you make it thin enough to flex, I think it won't be strong enough.

Anyway, here's the making process:

It's easiest to make a tube, slit it, then weld the ends shut.

I also spent a while trying to cut one out of paper, but these wouldn't even last a week, and they don't open up:

I might have better luck with a design that opens up and slides coins onto the lid, like this product: http://www.amazon.com/TACCO-Italian-Leather-Coin-Purse/dp/B000EN4EUK/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0KDPZDE3RC5968JSC0HP
After I stopped trying to make one with my Silhouette, I got an idea for a design like the top, Lucky Line one. I might try that if I start again. Or I could even 3D print one, with rigid facets connected by flexible hinges, like this bag:

Instamorph: Magnetic Knife Rack

Using 2 magnetic bars (meant for whiteboards), stuck to my dish rack using Instamorph. I could have stuck them to the wall using tape or glue, but I didn't want it to be permanent.

I tried using 1 bar at first, but it wasn't strong enough. I love how professional it looks. Instamorph was particularly suitable here because it's 1) non-toxic 2) removable.

All Instamorph posts

Instamorph: Brush Hook

I've got this exfoliating brush. It's quite good quality, but inconvenient to store because it has no hook, so you can't hang it.

I made a hook for it, now I can hang it anywhere. The hook tip reaches a bit too low and pushes into my hand. It's also probably thicker than necessary. This picture was taken before it cooled.

All Instamorph posts

Instamorph: Tap Knob

One of the knobs on my tap broke, so I used Instamorph to make a new one. This is it before it's fully cool.

All Instamorph posts

Instamorph: Toothbrush Holders

I really like this one because I use it every day, it works very well, and it's a great improvement. Previously we just left the brushes in the dish below. It's almost impossible to find holders for specific toothbrushes.

One of the clips broke off, but I stuck it back using the flame from a matchstick.

All Instamorph posts

Instamorph Contents Post

I'm making this post a list of all posts about Instamorph, so they're easier to find.

19 Jan 13 First post, iPhone dock
20 Apr 13 Toothbrush holders
20 Apr 13 Tap knob
23 Apr 13 Brush hook
23 Apr 13 Magnetic knife rack

Instamorph

Together with my Kindle, I bought some other stuff from Amazon:

One of which was Instamorph, a type of plastic which sounds very interesting. You heat it up to 60
°C and it becomes soft like putty, but at room temperature it's hard like any other plastic. Sounds like you could use it to fix/build a lot of things. And the great thing is, it's reusable. So if you don't like what you made, just melt it again. It's actually polycaprolactone, a polyester. But does it live up to its name?

It comes in little white pellets. When you heat them up, they turn transparent.

You can then mould them like this.

What's it like to work with? Well, even though it was just taken out of hot water, it's not that hot. It's easy to shape, although it springs back quite a bit. It sticks to some things, including itself, but not your hands or polished 3D printed nylon (hmm), making it easier to work with than modelling clay. One problem is the hot water kept cooling down, so it's much easier to work with this if you have a heat source.

I made an iPhone dock:

The rear view reminds me of ankles. It's not visible here, but the vertical arts are narrow, like ankles viewed from the back.

It's quite easy to join parts by dipping both surfaces in hot water and pressing them together. When solidified, it really is hard. But working with your bare hands means the surface will be lumpy, like wax, and there are seams all over. Maybe I need to learn to use tools.

Link to all posts on Instamorph: http://mbni.blogspot.sg/2013/04/instamorph-contents-post.html