Sofia Martinez
Making charms out of plastic containers is a fun activity that can be done by people of all ages. It is a great way to recycle common food containers and reduce plastic waste. To get started, you will need to find plastic containers with the number 6 inside the recycling arrows on the bottom, indicating that they are made of heat-shrink plastic. After drawing your desired shape with a permanent marker, cut it out, making sure to leave some space around the drawing. Punch a hole, then bake your charms at 300–350°F for 2–3 minutes until flat. Once cooled, you can add a clear sealant to protect your design and even paint the back of your charm white to make the colours pop. Finally, attach a jump ring to turn your creation into a keychain or zipper pull, or string your charms onto a chain to make a unique necklace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic | Number 6 |
| Type of container | Plastic food storage containers |
| Where to find containers | Bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets |
| Preparation | Wash and dry the containers |
| Drawing | Draw the desired shape with a permanent marker |
| Cutting | Cut out the drawing, leaving a little space around it; cut a larger area to punch a hole |
| Baking | Lay the plastic marker-side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil, parchment paper, brown paper bag, or vellum; bake at 300º-350º for 2-3 minutes or at 165°C for 3 minutes |
| Flattening | Use a flat bottom of a glass or an untextured spatula to flatten the charms |
| Sealant | Cover the marker side with a clear sealant to prevent smudging; add a coat of white paint to the back to make colours pop |
| Usage | Add a jump ring to make the charm into a keychain or zipper pull |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right plastic container
When selecting a container, look for the number 6 inside the recycling arrows on the bottom. This indicates that the plastic is suitable for shrinking in the oven without emitting toxic fumes. Other types of plastic may not work correctly or may release harmful gases, so it is recommended to only use plastic with the number 6 marking.
The size and shape of the container depend on the desired size of your charms. For larger charms, such as keychains, you will need a bigger container. Smaller charms, such as zipper pulls, can be made from a smaller container.
Additionally, consider the thickness of the plastic. Thicker plastic may require more time in the oven to shrink, while thinner plastic may shrink faster. It is recommended to test a small piece of the plastic in the oven first to determine the ideal baking time and temperature for your charms.
By choosing the right plastic container, you can ensure the success of your charm-making project and create unique and personalized pieces.
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Drawing and cutting out the design
To make charms out of plastic containers, you will first need to source plastic food storage containers. These can be found at bakeries, restaurants, and supermarkets. It is important to ensure that the plastic you are using is #6, which can be identified by a number 6 in the center of the recycling arrows on the bottom side of the plastic.
Once you have sourced your plastic, the next step is to draw and cut out your desired design. You can freehand your design or print out simple images to trace. Use a permanent marker to draw the shape you want to achieve onto the plastic. Carefully cut out your design, leaving a little space around the drawing. Try to round out the corners as you cut to prevent sharp edges, especially if your design includes shapes with corners like stars. Cut out a larger area where you can punch a hole if you want to make the drawing into a charm. You can use a hole punch to cut a circle.
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Baking the plastic
To make charms out of plastic containers, you will need to bake the plastic. The baking process will cause the plastic to shrink, so it is important to choose the right type of plastic. Make sure the plastic you are using is #6, which means there will be a number 6 in the centre of the recycling arrows on the bottom side of the plastic. Other types of plastic may not work properly or may emit toxic fumes.
Before baking the plastic, wash the container well and let it dry completely. Then, draw the shape you want to achieve with a permanent marker. Carefully cut out the plastic drawings, leaving a little space around the drawing. Cut a larger area where you can punch a hole if you want to make the drawing into a charm. Try to round out any corners to prevent having any sharp edges.
Now you are ready to start baking! Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil, parchment paper, a brown paper bag, or vellum. Do not bake on metal or stoneware, as the plastic will stick. Place the plastic drawings marker-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 300º-350ºF for 2-3 minutes until flat or until the shrinking has stopped. Every oven is different, so it is recommended to test a piece of plastic before baking your charms.
When the charms come out of the oven, they will be pliable for a few seconds. If you need to flatten them out, use a flat-bottomed glass or an untextured spatula. Be careful, as they will be very hot!
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Adding sealant and paint
Once you've cut out your plastic drawings, you'll need to add a sealant and paint to protect your design and make the colours pop. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Adding Sealant:
- After removing your charms from the oven, let them cool completely. The plastic will be very hot, so be cautious.
- Once cool, take a clear sealant and apply it to the marker side of your charm. This will prevent your design from rubbing off or smudging.
Adding Paint:
- To enhance the colours of your charm, consider adding a coat of white paint to the back of the charm. This optional step can make the colours appear brighter.
- If you want a more intricate design, you can carefully paint additional details onto your charm. Use a small, detailed paintbrush for precision.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before handling or attaching any jump rings or findings.
Your charms are now ready for the final assembly! You can attach jump rings to turn them into keychains, zipper pulls, or necklace charms. Remember always to use plastic #6 for this project to avoid emitting toxic fumes. Enjoy your unique, handmade creations!
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Attaching the jump ring
Step 1: Prepare the Plastic Pieces
Before you begin attaching the jump rings, ensure that your plastic pieces are ready. Carefully cut out your plastic drawings, leaving a little space around the design. Don't forget to cut a larger area where you can punch a hole, as this will be essential for attaching the jump ring. It's a good idea to round out the corners to prevent any sharp edges, especially if you're creating charms with curved shapes or stars.
Step 2: Punch a Hole
Using a hole punch, create a circle in the designated area of your plastic piece. This hole should be slightly larger than the size of your jump ring, ensuring a snug fit. Take your time with this step, as a clean and precise hole will make the next steps easier.
Step 3: Open the Jump Ring
Now it's time to work with the jump rings themselves. Start by opening up a jump ring. You can do this by gently twisting or pulling the ring apart, creating an opening. Be careful not to bend the ring too much, as you want to avoid distorting its shape.
Step 4: Hook the Jump Ring
With the jump ring open, carefully guide it through the hole in your plastic piece. Position the ring so that it is centred and secure within the hole. You may need to adjust the opening of the jump ring to ensure a snug fit.
Step 5: Close the Jump Ring
Once the jump ring is securely in place, carefully close it by reversing the twisting or pulling motion. Ensure that the jump ring is closed tightly, creating a seamless connection. If needed, you can use jewellery pliers or even scissors to carefully pinch the ring closed.
Step 6: Repeat for Additional Charms
If you're creating a necklace or a keychain with multiple charms, repeat this entire process for each plastic piece. Attaching jump rings to each charm individually will allow you to curate the order and arrangement of your charms along the chain or keychain.
Remember to take your time and handle the hot plastic with care. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating unique and personalised charms from plastic containers!
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Frequently asked questions
You should use plastic containers with the number 6 inside the recycling symbol. These containers can be collected from bakeries, restaurants, and supermarkets.
First, wash the plastic containers and let them dry completely. Then, draw the desired shape with a permanent marker on the container. Cut out the shape, leaving some space around it, and cut a larger area where you can punch a hole.
Place the plastic charms marker-side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, parchment paper, a brown paper bag, or vellum. Avoid using metal or stoneware to prevent sticking. Bake at a temperature between 165°C and 350°C for 2-3 minutes until flat.
Once the charms come out of the oven, they will be pliable for a few seconds. If needed, use a flat-bottomed glass or an untextured spatula to flatten them. Be cautious as they will be hot! After they cool, cover the marker side with a clear sealant and add a coat of white paint at the back to make the colours pop (optional).
You can make these plastic charms into necklaces or keychains. To create necklaces, use jump rings to attach the charms to a jewellery chain. For keychains, add a jump ring through the hole of the charm and link it to a keychain.
