This is a method to alter a two-dimensional work into a three-dimensional version of that work, and then disguise it as a common two-dimensional work. The two-dimensional work must be malleable or made malleable by adhering a malleable backing, such as sheet metal, such that it retains the new shape when bent. Foreground elements of the work's subject matter are then moved physically closer to the viewer than background elements by sculpting techniques like bending, thus making the original work now three-dimensional. The work is then enclosed in a structure like a box with a window allowing the work to be seen. The window obscures the edges of the work such that viewing the art from multiple angles doesn't easily reveal the edge of work.

Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to relief sculptures, and more particularly to methods of creating relief sculptures, kits for creating relief sculptures, and the relief sculptures themselves. A relief sculpture may include, for example, a transparent plate, a sculpting medium contacting a portion of the transparent plate, and a pliable sheet having a first surface comprising an image and a second surface that is adhered to the transparent plate, the sculpting medium, or both, wherein the image comprises an image feature that corresponds to the portion of the transparent plate to which the sculpting medium is contacted.

The present invention relates to a macroscopic, two or three dimensional image-making support medium which is a new reinvented version of a conventional utilitarian fine artist's canvas, canvas panel, canvas pad, art board or drawing pad, the novel image support medium facilitates artistic expression and the creation and display of macroscopic art, design or architecture, made therewith, thereupon or therefrom. The invention also relates to various methods of making such novel two or three dimensional image-making support mediums or the images provided thereby.

Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to relief sculptures, and more particularly to methods of creating relief sculptures, kits for creating relief sculptures, and the relief sculptures themselves. A method may include, for example, contacting a transparent plate and a first surface of a pliable sheet, the first surface of the pliable sheet comprising an image, wherein at least a portion of the image is visible through the transparent plate, applying a sculpting medium to a portion of the transparent plate that corresponds to an image feature visible through the transparent plate, and adhering a second surface of the pliable sheet to the transparent plate, the sculpting medium, or both, such that the image feature corresponds to the sculpting medium.

An apparatus, kit, and methods for forming a bead between bead-forming blocks having internal bead-forming channels are provided. The bead-forming channels of adjacent bead-forming blocks are slidably engaged to manipulate a measured amount of modeling compound between the bead-forming blocks and within an internal space between the opposing channels. In one embodiment, the bead-forming blocks maintain orientation with respect to an axis of travel based on a block guide. Further, the measured amount of modeling compound is determined using an integrated measuring feature coupled to at least one of the pair of bead-forming blocks. The internal volume of an integrated measuring feature corresponds to a threshold amount of modeling compound for manipulating between the pair of blocks and forming a bead while contacting at least a portion of the mated bead-forming channels. In further aspects, a molded bead may be coated with a multicomponent bead-coating mixture. Multi-component bead-coating mixtures and methods of using thereof are provided.

An apparatus, kit, and method for forming a bead between bead-forming blocks having internal bead-forming channels are provided. The bead-forming channels of adjacent bead-forming blocks are slidably engaged to manipulate a measured amount of modeling compound between the bead-forming blocks and within an internal space between the opposing channels. In one embodiment, the bead-forming blocks maintain orientation with respect to an axis of travel based on a block guide. Further, the measured amount of modeling compound is determined using an integrated measuring feature coupled to at least one of the pair of bead-forming blocks. The internal volume of an integrated measuring feature corresponds to a threshold amount of modeling compound for manipulating between the pair of blocks and forming a bead while contacting at least a portion of the mated bead-forming channels. In further aspects, a molded bead may be coated with a multicomponent bead-coating mixture. Multi-component bead-coating mixtures and methods of using thereof are provided.

Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to relief sculptures, and more particularly to methods of creating relief sculptures, kits for creating relief sculptures, and the relief sculptures themselves. A method may include, for example, contacting a transparent plate and a first surface of a pliable sheet, the first surface of the pliable sheet comprising an image, wherein at least a portion of the image is visible through the transparent plate, applying a sculpting medium to a portion of the transparent plate that corresponds to an image feature visible through the transparent plate, and adhering a second surface of the pliable sheet to the transparent plate, the sculpting medium, or both, such that the image feature corresponds to the sculpting medium.

Panels having a decorative surface may include a substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with a treatment, and providing the treated paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern. Providing the portion of the printed pattern may involve depositing pigment containing inks on the treated paper layer using a digital inkjet printer. The pigments may be color pigments. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of the pigment containing inks onto the treated paper layer. A contact angle at the interface between the droplets of pigment containing ink and the treated paper layer may be between 0 and 90 .

Cast-forming kits and casts are disclosed. Methods of making and using cast-forming kits and casts are also disclosed.

A unitary elastic mold and cutter combination configured to mold and cut moldable material is disclosed herein. The mold and cutter combination comprises an elastic mold cavity having an elastic bottom wall with an embossed inner surface and an elastic sidewall extending from and unitary with a perimeter of the bottom wall. An elastic cutting blade extends from and is unitary with the sidewall of the mold cavity and is configured to cut moldable material and maintain a substantially consistent perimeter upon cutting. The cutting blade comprises a cutting edge disposed between an inner cutting blade surface and an outer cutting blade surface. The mold and cutter combination may have an elasticity sufficient to release molded material therefrom by hand stretching, wherein the cutting edge, inner cutting blade surface, and the inner surface of the sidewall of the mold cavity are stretched by an amount sufficient to release the molded material.