Melted Plastic Bead Bowl

If you are in the mood for a quick, easy, rewarding craft this is it.  I read about how to create this cute bowl on some other blogs and so today we made one.  It is super cute--and easy!  All you need is some plastic melty beads, oil and an oven-safe bowl.

Coat the bowl with oil and add the beads.  The beads will stick to the sides of the bowl with the oil.  I pressed the beads down so there was only 1 layer of beads.  We kept adding beads until most of the sides of the bowl were covered.

I preheated the oven to 250 degrees (and I could not remember what I had read about the temperature to use).  It took a good 45 minutes for the beads to melt enough but there was no smoke and no odor (like burning) in the house, so I think the low temp is the way to go.  Once the beads looked melted, but still had some of their shape, I removed the bowl.  You could let the beads melt even more and have more of an smooth bowl, but I liked the partially melted look.

It took about 5 minutes to cool and the bead bowl just slid right out of the mold.  Its really cute, not sure what we'll use if for besides decoration...

...but I did stick a few of my daughter's pig heads in it just to give you an idea.

I'm thinking it would look cute with something white inside, like the individual wrapped lifesavers my coworker has at his desk.  Or maybe in the bathroom with small white soaps?

---Adrienne

Duck Tape Fun

Older daughter asked for some duck-tape the other day while we were in HD buying paint.   Wow, duck tape sure has come a long way.  There are so many colors available!  And, at $3.50 a roll, not bad for a craft supply. 

She got to work immediately, explaining that all of the directions for her projects are on YouTube.  Look what she made:

A crown and a headband (see the bow of the headband sticking out behind the crown).  These are 2 separate pieces.

Flip-flops!  Shown here on younger daughter's feet (that is why they look a little large).

A purse (of course).

A flower pen  :).

And a flower, how cute.  I'm requesting a few of these for a vase.



I love to see the kids crafting, using their imagination, and seeing their excitment and sense of accomplishment while showing off their creations.