Make Your Art
Watch it come together
Steps 1–8
Making a Lumadrop
Step 1
Unlocking the frame
Lay the frame face down on a table. Remove the wooden tension sticks. Practice putting the tension sticks back in the frame, taking note of how to lock them in once the art project is finished.
Step 2
Accessing the materials
Reach under the frame and use your fingers to push the contents out of the backside until the white inner frame is visible. Remove all layers of material resting on the white inner frame to expose the reflective ribbons. Notice that the ribbon is always kept on its edge (not twisted) when making a Lumadrop. Push the white inner frame back into its original position.
Step 3
Preparing the ribbons
Grab the small metal clip (V clip) that holds the ribbons together and remove the ribbons from the frame. Slip the V clip off to reveal three ribbons of different lengths.
Step 4
Shaping the metal V clips
Bend the pinched V clip back into the shape of a "V" to reuse it. Bend each flat metal strip found in the plastic bag into the shape of a "V" as well. The metal V clips are now ready for use.
Step 5
Forming the initial ribbon shape
Bend the ribbon into an abstract shape using a clear acrylic sheet as a size reference:
- 5a. Take the medium-length (4' strip) ribbon and bend it to make a small circle on one end. Use a mini spring clip to hold the shape together.
- 5b–5c. Add two more circles, making sure the last loop goes in the opposite direction.
- 5d. Use a total of 6 spring clips to shape the ribbon into the final design.
Step 6
Securing the design with V clips
With the spring clips still attached, drop the design into the frame. Replace each spring clip with a V clip, adding the V clip before removing the spring clip. Pinch the V clip HARD until flat, then slide the V clips along the ribbon to fine-tune the shape for the desired look.
Step 7
Marking clip locations
Peel the protective films off the front and back of both clear acrylic sheets. Set one clear sheet inside the frame on top of the ribbon design. Shake and prime the white dry-erase marker and test it on the second sheet. Put small white marks on the acrylic sheet directly over every V clip location. Carefully remove the clear sheet from the frame while making sure the design does not move or shift inside the frame.
Step 8
Locking the design with adhesive dots
Turn the clear sheet over so the white marks are on the backside. Stick an adhesive dot over each white mark, peel off the top film so it is sticky, and avoid fingerprints on the dots. Turn the clear sheet back over, ensuring the dots align with the V clips, and carefully place the sheet back in the frame. Press the adhesive dots onto the V clips while erasing/rubbing off the white marks. The design is now locked in place.
Note: Any major design changes after this step will require discarding the used dots and reshaping the ribbon.
Step 9
Adding a white background
Skip to Step 10 if you want the design and background to be the same color.
Decide which areas of the design you want to be white. Use the dry-erase marker to color those areas on the backside of the clear acrylic sheet, filling right up to the ribbon line. Mistakes can be erased with a cotton swab. Let the ink dry to the touch. For best results, place the second clear acrylic sheet over it (no need to apply white ink up to the ribbon line on the second sheet) and let it dry.
Step 10
Adding color and finishing
Lay a vinyl color sheet on top of the clear acrylic sheet, followed by a white paper sheet. Carefully hold the package together while turning over the frame to preview the front. Swap the white paper with black paper to see the visual difference. Flip the color sheet over and test with both black and white paper to explore different color outcomes. Repeat with the other color sheets to choose your favorite look. Store all unused sheets in the back of the frame and lock the easel back in place with the wooden tension sticks.
Care and reset tips
Starting over or cleaning: To create a new design, disassemble the artwork, wash the dry-erase ink off the acrylic sheets with soap and water in the sink, and flatten any wavy ribbon using hot air from a blow dryer.
Replacement parts: Contact Lumadrop support if additional adhesive dots are needed.