Comments on: Crystallized Beach Rocks with Borax and Watercolours

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 20:00:22 +0000

In reply to Catty. Yay! Have fun with them!

By: Catty

Catty — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 06:09:52 +0000

Waiting for borax to come in mail! Can’t wait to try it!

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 13:21:13 +0000

In reply to Hayley Turner. It could be, Hayley. I've only every used glass jars for this experiment.

By: Hayley Turner

Hayley Turner — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 08:28:40 +0000

I tried this yesterday and it didn’t work. I did use plastic containers. Is that why?

By: Alycia Diehl

Alycia Diehl — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:50:24 +0000

I love this idea! If you tie a piece of fishing line or twine around your rock and suspend the rocks in your Borax solution you’ll get both sides and be able to Hang your masterpiece! The string gets coVered in crystals too! If you leave a tail dangling from the Urock and add beads to it or anything porous they will form crystals too. Your project is awesome and I just wanted to help with some variety for you and your hooligans

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 14:40:21 +0000

In reply to Kirsty. I don't know what soda crystals are, Kirsty, so I really can't say if they'll work or not. I would do some googling to see if you can find any similar experiments that use them.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 22:29:16 +0000

Do you have to use borax or do you think soda crystals work?

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 11:11:11 +0000

In reply to Jade. They crystals stay on, Jade. We did find that the colouring faded over time, but the crystals are there to stay.

By: Jade

Jade — Sun, 31 May 2020 18:16:12 +0000

Do these stay on the rocks or does it go away over time??

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 20:55:56 +0000

In reply to Jackie Currie. I was so wrong! In the jars, you can't see the crystals! But once i took them all out and they dried. WOW! So gorgeous! They all were so unique and beautiful even though I did not have white beach stones. I used stones from home depot (Colorado has no beaches) and instead of watercolors I am going to have the children use silver sharpie to write something they are grateful for and give to a special person. I have photos but where can I send the photos? Thank you for this idea. It's been so fun! What a beautiful idea!

By: Jackie Currie

Jackie Currie — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 19:24:09 +0000

In reply to Nicole. I can't say for sure what the problem was. I wonder if the crystals weren't fully dissolved before you added the rocks. You can try again, but the existing crystals on the rocks may melt when you put them into the hot water again. You can re-heat the jar with the crystals in it, and re-use that water though.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 17:39:23 +0000

Hi! I made this yesterday with 30 rocks for a class art project and I didn’t get much crystals on the rocks themselves. The bottom of the glass however is full of crystals. Any idea what I did wrong? I wonder if I can do it again to the same rocks to get more cystals? Thanks!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 05:31:48 +0000

In reply to Sheree Spraglin.

Hi Sheree! Borax is a natural mineral. Warnings on the box state that it’s a mild irritant. I would imagine if you got it in your eye, there would be irritation. Steve Spangler, stated his opinions on Borax in this You Tube video, which you may find helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpSJdLyqibs

By: Sheree Spraglin

Sheree Spraglin — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 05:05:51 +0000

Hi, I was warned that borax causes eye and skin irritation when mixing it to make goop or flubber. Have you heard of this?

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Mon, 29 May 2017 18:08:05 +0000

In reply to Beverley M. Yay! Let me know how they turn out, Beverley!

By: Beverley M

Beverley M — Sun, 28 May 2017 03:25:41 +0000

I’ve got four rocks soaking in borax now. Love your photos, hoping ours turn out as well tomorrow! Thanks for the idea!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:39:05 +0000

In reply to Angela. I imagine you can use food colouring, Angela. I don't think the colour would come off on your hand when the crystals have dried. They don't with the liquid watercolours, which are water-based, like food-colouring is.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 05:36:43 +0000

In reply to happyhooligans. I have the same question but I cannot find your facebook post. Can you post the answer here?

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 21:28:55 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Saw your question on my Fb page, Jennifer, and answered you there. :)

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:24:34 +0000

Can food coloring be used instead of watercolors? And does the color rub off onto hands and surfaces even after it is dried?

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 18 May 2016 23:19:48 +0000

In reply to Ange. No, not salt water rocks at all, Ange. In fact, I'm in Ontario, Canada. All of our water here is fresh water. Any smooth, clean stone will do. :)

By: Ange

Ange — Wed, 18 May 2016 14:47:59 +0000

Do the rocks have to be from the ocean beach (salt water) or can it be any rock/ stone you find?

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 06:58:19 +0000

In reply to Carey. I'm not sure. I *think* it would probably work, Carey.

By: Carey

Carey — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 14:39:15 +0000

Veryyyy cool! Can they be sealed with a clear acrylic spray?

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 05:49:38 +0000

In reply to Kate - The Craft Train. Yay! I'm so glad you love the idea, Kate! Have fun making yours!

By: Kate - The Craft Train

Kate - The Craft Train — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 03:15:51 +0000

We’ll be making some of these! My daughter goes nuts for any form of rock/crystal activities and these look amazing

By: Kate Lloyd

Kate Lloyd — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 02:19:25 +0000

Stunning.