FORGECUT AND STRIP
Cut 4×10 cm wires of each colour, except black.
These are for the LEDs. Also cut 1×10 cm strip of
each of the black, orange, blue, and green-coloured
wires for the sensor. Using wire strippers, expose
approximately 5 mm of wire from all the ends.
Each of the RGB LEDs have a tiny red, blue, and
green light inside, and a corresponding wire, called
a leg, to control them. The fourth leg provides a
common anode, which will be the positive wire in
the circuit. The legs for each colour are different
lengths, so before you start soldering, check which
is which from the LED data sheet. Solder matching
colour wires to the tips of each leg on the LEDs and
orange wires to the anodes. Then cover the whole
of each leg with separate bits of yellow heat-shrink
to prevent the wires from touching. A darker colour
could show through the mushroom stalks.
MOULDING THE MUSHROOMS
To make the mushrooms, drop about six teaspoons
of Polymorph into a cup of hot water, above 60°C.
The granules are ready to use after a few seconds,
when they turn clear and clump together. Use a
spoon to remove a blob of Polymorph, and wait until
it’s just cool enough to touch.
YOU’LL NEED
Arduino Uno
preferably a version
with a row of holes
alongside the pins
RGB colour sensor
(TCS34725)
3 × RGB LEDs with
a common anode
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Small perfboard
Red, green, blue,
orange, and black
insulated wires
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heat-shrink
іѕѕԞǼ Āolʰȴorph
plastic granules
Āieƺe oǹ ʥooǁ
eӝǼӝ fireʥooǁӗ pƃrt
of fallen branch or
driftwood
USB A-Male to
B-Male lead with
on/off switch
(printer cable)
Lithium-ion
battery with USB
connector such as
ƃ poʥer ƹƃnȟ or њԞř
mains adapter
Insulating tape
Two small screws
(optional)
Dry moss from
twigs (optional)
Cup and tray of
hot water
Teaspoon and
spatula
Band-saw
Chisel hammer
Arill ʥith њԞȴȴ
drill bit
Soldering iron
and solder
Hot glue gun and
glue stick
Rolling pin
Hair-dryer
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Sandpaper
ScissorsMould the Polymorph into a flat rectangle and
wrap it around the legs of one of the LEDs to
create a stalk. As it sets, the clear plastic will turn
white, hiding the LED legs inside. If the Polymorph
becomes stiff before you’ve finished moulding it,
just drop it back in the water to soften. It doesn’t
matter how wet the LED gets.
Mould another lump of Polymorph into a ball. Push
your thumb into it to make a cone and then place it on
top of the LED, squeezing gently to join it to the stalk.
Continue moulding until it resembles a mushroom.
Top up the hot water as it cools down, and add
extra Polymorph granules to make the rest of
the mushrooms.Above
If you choose a log that has been chopped into quarters
lengthwise, you can use a band-saw to make grooves along
the intended opening. Then tap the thin wafers of wood out
with a hammerAbove
:easoned wood suJh as firewood is ideaS IeJause it is dr`
and any cracking will have already happened