Some things don't always go as planned.
Today I was hoping to show you an amazing tutorial but this is all I have to show
Anyone want to guess what it is?
Burnt plastic!!
Let me explain.
I've seen so many cute buttons, necklaces, and rings
made by shrinking plastic and decided to try making my own.
Most of the tutorials I found online used actual shrink plastic that you can buy at the stores or online.
However, I didn't have any of this stuff and wanted to use recycled plastic.
After doing a quick google search I found out this was possible.
Most of the sites I found suggested using #6 plastic (that's the number found inside the little recycle symbol one container). Supposedly this is the most common type of plastic used. However, I could not find ANY of it in my house.
I found a few other sites that did not specify what kind of plastic to use so I decided to settle on this.
Not sure were this actually came from. I was using it in one of my kitchen drawers to hold all of the tips for our frosting bag. It didn't have a recycle symbol on it but it looked similar to some of the containers found in other tutorials.
I started by cutting all of the sides off so I had a flat surface to work with. I decided to make some buttons so I drew a bunch of little circles, added some pretty designs (Since I didn't know how this was going to turn out I didn't want to take too much time on the drawings. Hence the ugly flowers). Then I drilled a couple button holes in each circle.
I cut all of them out and placed them flat on a cookie sheet.
With my oven set to 350*, I placed the plastic buttons in the oven and turned on the light to keep an eye on them.
I waited...
And waited...
And waited...
After about 30 minutes they were slightly miss-shappen but had not shrunk much. I decided to keep them in there a little longer to see what happened. After throwing some clothes in the dryer and a quick bathroom break, I came back to this.
They are no longer round but very burnt.
They didn't shrink at all!!
I think maybe I'll try it again using some #6 plastic and hopefully it will work.
Has anyone else tried shrinking plastic?
Did you have any success?
I would love to know.
Ha! Call me crazy but I kind of like them! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think they are a fail! lol You could still use them. :) I know I would.
ReplyDeleteI think they do look cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your sweet comments. So glad that you don't think it's a complete fail.
ReplyDeleteI like them too! But yes, I have had a particular craft item in mind that did not turn out at all the way I'd invisioned it, lol.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Sorry for laughing, but it's totally something I would do. Don't have it, improvise! I've never tried shrinking plastic, but sounds kind of fun. At least as a science experiment for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI loved this technique, the results interesting, beautiful buttons. I wish you a happy night.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say it's a fail--they look fab!
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks for sharing your craft fail. I've had a few of them lately too :-/
ReplyDeleteLet's call it an experiment went adventurous rather than gone wrong, shall we? Because i love the result. Yes, I have a thing for imperfection. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you shared your craft fail! It makes me feel better about the many I've had! But, I actually thought they looked like cool rock or glass beads!
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me too!
ReplyDeleteI searched for some #6 plastic & couldn't find any anywhere so I used plastic that looked similar. After about 2 minutes in the oven it all curled up & mutated lol
We live & we learn
I think next time I'll just buy a kit as I really want to make something using shrink plastic :/
You know, I've made some primitive dolls and those buttons are right up their alley. Picture a grungy doll with a hand stitched face and a muslin dress. Good luck on your shrinky project, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness... I have the shrink plastic, and it is expensive. I've considered doing this, like you I've read all those tutes that say use the container plastic and just hadn't gotten to trying it yet. After reading the comments, I think I might skip it! I love sharing my fails, and reading others... makes us all realize that it just doesn't ALWAYS go as planned.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has these problems.:) I love the black shiny look though. They kinda look like obsidian. Good luck on your next try.:)
ReplyDeleteI'm with most of the others, I think they are kind of cute!
ReplyDeleteWow what a cool way to make your own buttons !
ReplyDeleteI can feel you!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try this. I think some common plastic cups are #6.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't have any lying around either. Maybe pick some up off the ground at a ball game?
Good luck next time.
Kathy
Bravo for you for being willing to share your experience. I think your buttons can definitely be used. I especially like the textured ones.
ReplyDeleteWhen I took a class about shrink plastic they said to be careful using other plastics besides #6, because they can release dangerous chemicals when heated. Also, they said to keep a baking sheet that is only for the plastics, so you don't contaminate your food. I don't know if these things are true, but thought I would pass them on just in case.
They turned out nice though. Love them, unique !
ReplyDeleteSuper adorable. These turned out soo cute.. Very unique.... I have a Pin Inspirational party happening today I'll love for you to link this too please :)) TY http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/pininspirational-thursday.html ..Wishing you an awesome day..
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how to do it either, but if they hardened up some, I vote use them for frames or scrapbook embellishments! I think they are cute! I really like the brown from the burnt! LOL. People only think it was an accident if you tell them, otherwise we assume you did it on purpose and love it regardless! LOL.
ReplyDeleteHopping over from craftyzoowithmonkeys.blogspot.com thanks for the follow! Your blog is super cute, subscribing, and I'll be linking up on Monday! Have a great weekend!
Love to see someone else have a bit of a fail and have the courage to share it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the same thing and think I'll give it a go too. Loved the patterns that you decided upon.
Thanks so much for coming to Pin'Inspiration Thursday.
Happy new follower here :-)
Just try another polystyrene (06 plastic). Some of the packages are not stressed during their production so they won't shrink.
ReplyDeletePlastic cups made out of PS are always shrinking but always in the direction they were pressed under heat during their production. Just try again :)
What happens all the time even if it don't shrink is that after heating over a certain temperature is that they become harder (after reaching the glas point). So while you may not use this package for small buttons you may still create beautiful ornaments or jewelery out of it :)
I tried some stuff (http://saraccino.blogspot.com/search/label/polystyrene) and love the results :)
But as was said before: Don't use other plastics! And don't overheat your polystyrene.
@Saraccino Thanks for the tips. I'll head over and check out your posts now.
ReplyDeleteI like them! I think you should keep them. magnets? pushpins? I'm not sure how thick they are but could you turn them into a necklace or bracelet? I think they look like cool little stones or shells.
ReplyDeleteThey can definitely be tricky!! My best friend and I made some that you can see in this post HERE. We used Shrinky Dink plastic for the buttons, but my friend used plastic from a take-out container to make a pendant and it turned out beautiful! Good luck with your next batch!! :D
ReplyDelete~Lisa
Lisa's Craft Blog
We've done it with the #6 and it worked no problem. But I think you could still use them. Did this burnt plastic smell bad?
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Making It With Allie this week! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!! Thanks for linking to Things I've Done Thursday!
ReplyDeleteMelanie
Sew Rugged @ bear rabbit bear
bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com
I wouldn't call it a fail...chalk this project up to experience.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering...do they SMELL BURNT? because if they did, then I say:
'if at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried!'
Pat
You know, I probably have a craft failure, every couple weeks. It's bound to happen when you are trying to be creative & do something new. I end up learning a good lesson each time though. I think that is so clever to try to make your own buttons. Great try! Thanks for linking up @ Show & Share!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I actually don't think they look all that bad ;) It is always fun to see that I am not the only one who has had a craft FAIL ;) Thanks so much for linking up with us and sharing :) Great post.
ReplyDeleteBritney
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com
I have lots of craft failures and their posts are still in "draft" mode :) But I actually think these are really fun in their own way.
ReplyDeleteJamie- I am o-o-o-old, and long before we had Shrinky Dink plastic, we used liver lids. They are the clear plastic lids that used to be on containers of liver. Now you can get them in the deli on salads, ets. Try using these. They are cheap and work well. If you ask nice, they may just give you some.
ReplyDeleteOh poor girl. I'm empathizing because I think we have all had more than one of these project fails. Thanks for having the self esteem to share it with us on Motivated Monday. :0
ReplyDeletePam
I still think they look cool.. :-)
ReplyDeleteA word of caution: baking the plastic releases toxic fumes. Be safe! A friend was thinking of doing this, after reading a tutorial online, until she got to the part that warned the fumes are toxic.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous Thanks for the info. I actually read about that after posting this. I think I will stick to store bought buttons.
ReplyDeleteI have used number 6 plastic and it worked great. I was able to purchase plastic containers (that snap closed...used for cookies) from our local bakery. We made neckerchief slides in Cub Scouts and each boy used a half of a container.
ReplyDeleteI have been very successful in using #6 plastic. Instead of using the oven, I used a heat gun and held the plastic down with a chopstick while it was curling and then became flat. The heat gun makes quick work of shrinking, and the finished product is thicker than if using Shrinky Dink plastic.
ReplyDeleteI too have noticed most #6 plastic is from bakery items.