Spider Bowl 3D Construction Tutorial

Cute and unique cardstock 3D Halloween candy dish

is available for purchase and download as a cut file

from SnapDragon Snippets through the

Silhouette America online store.

Follow the steps as described and illustrated in the images
to create your own bowl.

Here are the cut pieces that are used for this project. Clockwise from upper left: a) rim with front and back main piece; b) 4 side pieces with leg slots; c) face shapes [echo base shape not shown]; d) 6 inner side pieces; e) inner orange hexagon shape; f) 8 right legs and 8 right legs; g) black outer base hexagon.

Sample here was cut completely from bazzill cardstock, except for the face shapes.

Step 1. Fold all of the perforations of the main rim with front and back shape (all side lines and tab perfs are "mountain" folds).

Also fold the four side pieces on perforations in similar fashion.

Step 2.  Apply adhesive to the rim tab and attach a side piece top edge so that edge and perforation line line up as closely as possible. Apply pressure and hold until joint is secure. Repeat for all four sides.

NOTE: all side pieces are identical, and therefore interchangeable.

Step 3. Match a left and right leg shape, then securely glue the two layers together, leaving the end tabs of each free. Fold the end tabs away from each other to form a "T".

Step 4. Re-fold end tabs flat, then insert tab pair through leg slot in side piece. Fold tabs flush with back side of side piece. Apply adhesive under the tabs, then hold in place with pressure until adhesive is secure.

Step 5. Fold the first side piece to align with adjacent edge of front or back side edges. Apply adhesive to tab, then adjust edges so that the first "level" (next to the rim hex shape) aligns with its neighbor, and the second "level" aligns with its neighbor. Hold and apply pressure until the seam is secure. Repeat for the remaining 5 seams.

Step 6. Repeat the process from Step 5 for the bottom "level", aligning the adjacent edges and perforations for all seams.

Step 7. Apply adhesive and attach top edge to interior rim tab. Repeat for all 6 shapes. As each is attached, swing it down into position in the interior of the bowl, out of the way for the next shape to be positioned and attached.

NOTE: this image shows the interior shapes being added before the legs are attached or the sides joined. This step may be done in either order, but my subsequent experience suggested it may be just as easy to get the legs in place and sides attached to each other before joining these. 

Step 8. Apply glue to side tabs (move adjacent shape out of the way to reach glue under edge), then re-position and align edge and adjacent perforation lines for each of the "levels" of the interior side pieces. Complete all 6 interior seams this way.

Step 9. Reach glue applicator tip under lower "level" and apply glue to all positions around the lower bowl. Push seams and "corners" back as far as possible until they fit snug into the angle of the outer sides (you will probably feel them "slot into position". Hold and apply pressure to all glued edges until they are secure.

Step 10. Turn the assembly over, "dry fit" the base hexagon shape to get an idea of the adjustments that may be necessary. Apply adhesive to all lower tabs, then position the base. Try to align each corner and the base edge with side perforations. It may be necessary to flex or squash the bowl shape to get the edges to align best.

Here is a shot of the finished bowl so you can see how the base can fit. The hexagon shape is sized and shaped to fit exactly, though the assembly process may not fit absolutely perfectly to match. Adjust as well as you can to get the sides to match the hex, then hold in place and apply pressure until the joining is secure. 

Step 11. Fold side and corner perforations of interior base hex shape as "valley" folds. Apply adhesive to bottom surface of previous bowl assembly, and to the lower interior side positions that the orange base shape will touch when inserted. Insert hex shape inside. (You can apply glue to the bottom of the hex shape, but the glue may get rubbed off as the shape is inserted.) Adjust, then apply pressure and hold until piece is secure. Add glue at corners so corner "tab" will attach to the adjacent edge to conform to the interior shape.

Step 12. Dry fit the face base shape, eye layers, tongue and teeth. Apply adhesive and layer. Glue the face assembly to the echo face shape. 

Step 13. Position the face on the front of the bowl assembly, taking note of the upper portion that will remain exposed above the front bowl rim. Apply glue to the lower area below  rim only, then position and apply pressure until attachment is secure.

Here is a view of the front of the bowl for an idea of how the face is oriented to the full front edge.

So now your bowl is completed. Fill the interior with

your Halloween treat of choice, then check the way the legs behave.

Trim a tiny bit from the bottom of the foot edge if necessary to let them stand nicely.

Hope you have fun with your new creepy guest!