You will need: a tall, clear, glass or plastic container; Jell-0
gelatin mix, lemon flavor; fishing monofilament or leader; two sticks long
enough to bridge the top of the container; a plastic replica of a human heart
(or make and paint one yourself from Sculpey oven-bake clay). A light is
optional; this is one from a small fish tank.
1. Buy or make the "human heart." Plastic models are fine--or make
one from Sculpey clay, like this one, and paint it.
2. Select a container for the Heartthrob. Uncialle's, pictured
above, is an octagonal vase (which causes the image to be rather weirdly
refracted--how nice). A small fish tank works well, too--even a fish bowl or large jar.
3. Make a batch of lemon Jell-O, following the directions on the package.
Pour it into a kitchen container and refrigerate until lukewarm. DO NOT pour the
hot Jell-O into your vase or fish bowl--the vessel may crack or even shatter.
4. In the meantime, tie the two sticks together with the
monofilament to make a large X. No sticks? Use dowels, pencils--even
spoons--whatever is long enough to bridge the top of your container. Tie
monofilament to the heart, and suspend it from the center of the crossed sticks.
Adjust the monofilament so that the heart hangs straight down into the container
without touching the sides. Adjust the length of the monofilament so that the
heart is suspended in the middle (heightwise) of the container.
5. When the Jell-O mix has cooled, pour it into the heartthrob container.
Continue making more batches of Jell-O until the container is filled to within
an inch of its rim.
6. Then put the whole thing in the refrigerator overnight.
7. Then cut the monofilament at the surface of the Jell-O and
remove the sticks. (This is why monofilament is used. It's strong but
transparent, and "disappears" in the Jell-O.)
Note: using a little less water in the Jell-O than the recipe calls for, will
result in really tough, dense Jell-O, that will support heavy objects for days
at room temperature. Put a light on your finished heartthrob--or place it under
a desk lamp.
Experiment with different colors of Jell-O and other objects,
like orange Jell-O with black plastic spiders, or lime Jell-O with plastic
eyeballs.
How to Make the Heartthrob
Now you have a great party centerpiece--or a casual desk
ornament for that special night, mother-in-law's visit, or IRS audit.
