TrollLight..what Is It?

Trolls are cute! You can update your Troll so that it light- ups with LEDs! They can then be used as nightlights, bath toys, Christmas or Halloween ornaments as well as necklaces. Come take this journey and learn to use new materials (ShapeLock) that make this project fun and easy. This instructable describes how to make an ornament/necklace Troll(but you can just make the standing Troll as shown in this image without a way to hang it if you like!)

Prepare Your Materials

ShapeLock comes as pellets. Start with about 4 (piled up high) tablespoons of this material. Place it in a ceramic cup of water so that is submersed.

Prepare Your Troll

Remove the Troll hair by pulling it off.

Troll Body Prep

Add at least 4 pennies to weigh down the troll. This will allow the Troll to stand if you want it to. Also it give it a jingle when you shake it!

Wire/Necklace Choices

Any size wire or necklace can be added to the Troll so that it can become an ornament or necklace charm. In this example 22 gauge electrical red wire was cut and twisted together to form a loop. The lenght of the wire depends on your choice of use. You may want to make it long enough to go over your head if you are making a necklace for a RAVE concert!

Plan

Decide where you want the wire placed. It is best to have it in the head area with the twisted wire as shown.

LED Sphere and Where It Goes

This step is a planning step as well. Place LED sphere on Troll head so that the on/off button is accessible on back of head. Decide which button position works best for your finger size. Practice this step. You may need another person to hold the wire when you have the melted ShapLock ready since this step is difficult to do alone. Now its time to get the ShapeLock ready.

How to Work With ShapeLock

Heat a handful of ShapeLock in a ceramic (plastic will not work) cup of water for two minutes. Use a metal spoon (plastic will not work) to flatten and elongate the material.

ShapeLock Must Be Kept Soft

ShapeLock hardens quickly so you may need to reheat it before you apply it to the LED sphere. If the material is transparent and the correct size to wrap around the sphere, you are ready for the next step.

Cover the LED Sphere

Wrap the soft ShapeLock material around the LED sphere with your hands (exercise caution since it may be hot). Ensure that the LED button is exposed before securing the head onto the Troll body

Quickly orient the ShapeLock around the LED sphere and Troll head so that is it is securely attached by kneading the material to areas near the edge of the Troll head. Ensure the LED button is exposed and accessible. As you see in this image keeping the LED sphere button clear of plastic is critical. Once the plastic hardens it is very tedious to remove it.

If the head is not to your liking do not put the head into the microwave! This will destroy the LED . Microwave(~2 minutes) a cup of water separately. Then soak the LED sphere in the hot water to soften the polymer and knead off the polymer one softened layer at a time. You may need to repeat this step multiple times.

Quickly orient the ShapeLock around the LED sphere and Troll head so that is it is securely attached by kneading the material to areas near the edge of the Troll head. Once the ShapeLock hardens and is secure you can hang him anywhere!
Please take our survey so we can better serve your interests: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P7WGZKR