Green Living: How to Make Melted Plastic Ornaments

Are you looking for an interesting Christmas ornament project? Try making a melted plastic Christmas ornament from a plastic berry basket. This very unusual craft is one that is simple enough for a child yet complicated enough for an adult. The variation in the berry basket’s shape and the addition of plastic, glass, wood or metal beads creates a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament.

Supplies:
Plastic berry basket
4-quart saucepan
Water
Tongs
Pie tin or cookie sheet
Plastic coated wire, 16 to 22 gauge
Wire cutters
Glass, plastic, wood and/or metal beads
Optional: White glue and glitter

Process:
Step 1 – Fill a 4-quart saucepan with water leaving approximately 1-inch of the top of the pan visible. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring it to a boil.

Step 2 – Carefully submerge the plastic berry basket into the water with a set of tongs. Watch the basket collapse and change shape. Remove the basket from the water and place it on a pie tin or cookie sheet to cool.

Step 3 – Cut a piece of coated wire approximately 24-inches long. Thread a selection of beads onto the wire. Insert one end of the wire through the melted berry basket. Secure the end to the basket. Weave the opposite end of the wire through the melted basket positioning a bead in the oddly shaped openings. Continue with the weaving process until the desired number of beads are visible. Secure the opposite end of the wire to the basket. Cut off the excess wire with wire cutters.

Step 4 – Cut a piece of coated wire approximately 5-inches long. Turn the berry basket ornament and determine the top. Thread the 5-inch piece of wire through the basket to create a hanger. Twist the ends of the wire together to form a loop. Cut off any excess wire.

Step 5 – Add sparkle to the ornament if desired. Squeeze drops or lines of white glue on the surface of the ornament. Sprinkle glitter over the glued areas. Hang the ornament in a safe location to dry for
approximately one hour.

Other Ideas:
Make the hanger for the melted plastic ornament from ¼-inch satin ribbon. Cut the ribbon approximately 12-inches long. Thread the ribbon through the top portion of the ornament. Pull the ribbon through the ornament until half remains on each side. Tie a knot in the ribbon so it rests on the surface of the ornament. Tie a bow with the remaining end leaving a loop to use for hanging.


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