Alexei Volkov
Plastic bottles are everywhere, and their disposal can be challenging. However, they can be reused and recycled to create fun and educational crafts for children. One such craft idea is to create floating plastic doll jars. To make these, you can use plastic bottles, doll faces, hands and feet parts, plastic beads, wire, fabric, glue, and various other craft supplies. The process involves creating the doll's head with hair, makeup, and jewellery, and then fixing it onto the plastic bottle body. The bottle is filled with pebbles or beads and wired for stability. With some creativity and patience, you can make unique floating plastic doll jars while also teaching children about the importance of recycling and environmental protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Craft type | Floating plastic doll jars |
| Materials | Plastic bottles, old newspapers or magazines, straws, toys, used plastic bottles, old jars or utensils, other recyclables, plastic beads, wire, glue, artificial hair fibres, coloured fabric, food colouring, etc. |
| Steps | 1. Clean and dry the plastic bottle. 2. Cut and shape the bottle as desired. 3. Decorate the bottle with paint, stickers, or other craft supplies. 4. Add water and food colouring if desired. 5. Create the doll's head and hair separately or as part of the body. 6. Dress and accessorise the doll. 7. Attach the doll to the bottle using wire and glue. |
| Difficulty | Easy to medium, suitable for children with adult supervision |
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What You'll Learn
Gather materials: plastic bottle, doll head, wire, glue, etc
To create a floating plastic doll jar, you will need a variety of materials, some of which you may already have at home. Here is a list of the essential supplies:
- Plastic bottle: Look for a plastic bottle with an interesting shape or colour that can serve as the body of your doll. You can experiment with different types of plastic bottles, such as water bottles or milk bottles, depending on the size and style you prefer.
- Doll head: You can purchase a doll head from craft stores or online. Alternatively, you can get creative and make your own doll head using materials like clay, paper mâché, or even recycled items.
- Wire: You will need wire to attach the doll head to the plastic bottle securely. Choose a sturdy yet flexible wire, such as 16- or 18-gauge wire, which will provide stability and allow you to pose the doll's head as desired.
- Glue: A glue gun or strong adhesive is essential for assembling your doll. Make sure to use a type of glue that can bond plastic and other materials effectively.
- Embellishments: To add personality and style to your doll, gather various embellishments such as fabric, beads, lace, and any other decorative items you wish to use. Fabric can be used for clothing and accessories, while beads and lace can enhance the overall design.
- Tools: Basic tools like scissors, a hot knife or cutter, and a wire cutter will be useful for cutting and shaping your materials.
Once you have gathered these materials, you will be well on your way to creating a unique and captivating floating plastic doll jar. Remember to be creative, experiment with different ideas, and enjoy the process of bringing your doll to life!
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Cut and smooth the bottle to the desired shape
To create a floating doll jar, you'll need to start by cutting the plastic bottle to the desired shape. This will serve as the body of your doll. Use a heated cutter to cut off the neck of the bottle, creating a smooth and even edge. You can use a hot knife or cutter to smooth out any rough edges left after cutting. This step is important for both aesthetic and functional reasons, ensuring that your doll has a polished appearance and that any edges are safe to handle.
Once you've cut and smoothed the bottle, you can begin to decorate and embellish it to create your desired doll. You can add breasts and slight padding to the back of the bottle using white fabric. Get creative with the fabric, folding and twisting it to add volume and shape to the body. Secure the fabric with glue to ensure it stays in place.
You can also add arms to your doll by cutting and shaping wire. Use a thinner gauge wire, such as 24 or 26-gauge, to create the arms, bending and shaping them as desired. Wrap the wire around the bottle to secure it in place. Position the hands, which you can purchase from a doll-making kit or craft yourself, and glue them in place.
Another important step is adding hair to your doll. Cut artificial hair fibres to the desired length, usually around 3-4 inches to cover the doll's head. Use a strong adhesive, such as a glue gun or rubber adhesive, to attach the hair to the scalp. You can then style the hair however you like, braiding, ponytails, or any other creative hairstyle you can think of.
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Create the doll's head with hair and makeup
There are two ways to approach making a doll's head with hair and makeup. The first way is to make the base, follow through with clothing and accessories, and then finish with hair and makeup. The second way is to make the head, complete it with hair, makeup, and jewellery, and then fix it onto the body.
For the first approach, cut artificial hair fibres to the required length. Depending on the size of the doll's head, you will need the first 3-4 inches of hair to cover the scalp. Use a glue gun or a rubber adhesive to stick the hair fibres to the scalp—both are equally messy and require patience. You can then proceed with any makeup and jewellery you wish to add.
For the second approach, you can buy a doll head with hair, or you can make one yourself. If you are making the head yourself, cut the hair fibres to the required length and glue them to the scalp. You can then proceed to add makeup and jewellery to the head before fixing it onto the body.
Once the hair is firmly adhered, you can create whatever hairstyle you want. For example, you can braid the hair or put it in a ponytail. You can also add fabric embellishments to increase the doll's appeal.
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Dress the doll and add any accessories
Now it's time to dress your doll and add any accessories you want! You can use readily available garments, perhaps with a religious theme, and select pieces that you like. Trim these with lace and add any other embellishments you want to include. You can also add jewellery, such as earrings, but make sure the ears are big enough! You can glue gota pieces to the doll's head to increase its appeal.
If you want to add hair, cut the artificial hair fibres to the required length. You will need the first 3-4 inches to cover the doll's head, depending on the size. You can glue this to the scalp using a glue gun or a rubber adhesive – both are equally messy and require patience. You can then create whatever hairstyle you want. Try braids or a side ponytail, for example.
You can also add wire to the palms of the doll's hands. Cut a piece of wire (24g or 26g) and wrap the hands to the bottle. Glue the hair forward to cover the left hand. You can also add a knot of thread to the left hand to give the impression of a sleeve.
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Fill and seal the bottle, then attach the doll head
Filling and sealing the bottle is a crucial step in creating a floating plastic doll jar. Firstly, ensure you have cleaned and dried your chosen plastic bottle thoroughly. You can fill the bottle with a variety of materials, such as pebbles or plastic beads, to add weight and stability to your doll. Fill the bottle up to the brim to ensure that it has enough weight to balance the doll's head.
Once filled, you will need to seal the bottle securely. This can be done by screwing on the bottle's original cap tightly or using a strong adhesive to close the opening if you prefer an invisible seal. Ensure that the bottle is securely closed to prevent leakage or spillage.
Now, it's time to attach the doll's head. You can use a strong adhesive, such as a glue gun, to fix the head onto the neck of the bottle. Apply a generous amount of glue to the inside of the doll's neck and firmly press it onto the bottle. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.
For added stability, you can also wire the doll's head. Cut a piece of wire, approximately 4-5 inches long, and bend it to fit through the holes on the neck of the bottle and the doll's head. This will provide extra support and ensure that the head remains securely attached.
Finally, you can enhance the appearance of the doll by adding hair and any other desired features. Cut artificial hair fibres to the required length, usually around 3-4 inches, and glue them to the scalp using a glue gun or rubber adhesive. Style the hair as desired, and feel free to add any additional accessories, makeup, or jewellery to complete your floating plastic doll jar!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need plastic bottles, doll faces, hands and feet parts, wire, plastic beads, fabric, glue, and any other embellishments you would like to add.
First, create breasts and slight padding for the back using white fabric. You can fold a long strip and do a butterfly twist in the centre to add volume. Position and glue the hands, and cut wire to wrap around the hands to the bottle.
Cut artificial hair fibres to the required length and glue them to the scalp using a glue gun or rubber adhesive. You can then create any hairstyle you want.
Fill the bottle with pebbles or plastic beads, wire the doll head with a 4-5 inch 16g or 18g wire, and glue the head to the bottle. Wire and glue the palms.
