Sofia Martinez
Melting crayons in plastic ornaments is a fun DIY project to do with kids. It is easy to make and requires only a few simple supplies, such as plastic ornament shells, crayons, a hairdryer, and parchment paper. To begin, ensure that you have two halves of the ornament shells that fit together. Remove any paper from the crayons and place parchment paper over your work surface to protect it from melting wax. Pick the colours you would like to use, keeping in mind that the colours will mix and blend. Using a hairdryer, melt the crayons and apply the coloured wax to the inside of the ornament. This creates a beautiful stained glass effect that is perfect for the holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items required | Plastic ornament shells, crayons, hair dryer, ribbon or twine, parchment paper |
| Steps | Remove paper from crayons, place parchment paper over the table, pick colours, place ornament shell on the table or on top of a mason jar, turn on the hair dryer and blow it onto the crayons until they melt, draw around the inside of the ornament with the coloured wax |
| Additional tips | Heat the ornament until the desired effect is achieved, shake or heat the crayons so they go out the opening, add a bow or sparkle to the outside |
| Other methods | Use a wax melter, a coffee cup warmer, a pot of boiling water with a metal or glass bowl, a glue gun, a frying pan, a pot of hot water with a glass jar, a wax warmer, plastic bags in hot water |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your workspace
Preparing your workspace is an important step in the crayon-melting process. To start, cover your table with parchment paper to protect it from any wax drips. You can also use a mason jar or any other container that can withstand heat to hold the ornament while you work. If you don't have parchment paper, you can use any type of paper that will protect your table surface, such as newspaper or cardboard.
Next, gather all the materials you will need, including the plastic ornament shells, crayons, hairdryer, and any ribbon or twine you may want to use for hanging the ornament. Make sure you have two halves of the ornament shells that fit together. You can also prepare any other supplies you may want to use to decorate your ornament, such as bows or sparkles.
Then, remove any paper from the ends of your crayons so that they can melt cleanly. You can choose the colors you would like to use, keeping in mind that the different colors will mix and blend, creating unique combinations. If you are concerned about wax dripping onto unwanted areas, you can use a glue gun to melt the crayons, but it will not be usable for glue afterward.
Finally, ensure you have a safe and well-ventilated area to work in, as the hairdryer will be on a high setting and you will be working with hot wax. It is also important to be cautious when handling the hot ornament and to avoid holding the heat in one spot for too long. Now that your workspace is prepared, you can begin melting your crayons and decorating your plastic ornaments!
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Choose your crayons
When choosing crayons to melt into plastic ornaments, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the colours you want to use. You can either opt for a harmonious colour scheme or go for a more eclectic mix of colours, depending on your preference. Keep in mind that the colours will blend and mix to some extent, so choose colours that will complement each other when combined.
Next, you'll need to decide on the type of crayons you want to use. You can use new crayons or recycle old ones for this project. If you're using old crayons, make sure they are still in good condition and have enough wax to melt effectively. You can also experiment with different types of crayons, such as those with glitter or other special effects, to add an extra element of interest to your ornaments.
Another consideration is the amount of wax in the crayons. For this project, you'll need enough wax to fill the ornament or at least create the desired effect. If you're using smaller crayons or partial crayons, you may need to adjust the number of crayons you use to ensure you have sufficient wax.
When preparing your crayons, make sure to remove any paper wrapping, as this will help the crayons melt more cleanly. You can do this by carefully peeling or cutting the paper away from the wax. It's also a good idea to break or cut the crayons into smaller pieces to facilitate easier melting.
Finally, if you're using a hairdryer to melt the crayons, as is common in this type of project, ensure that it is powerful enough to effectively melt the wax. Test it out on a small piece of crayon first to see how well it melts the wax and adjust your technique or tools accordingly.
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Heat the ornaments
To melt crayons inside plastic ornaments, you will need a heat source. Some options include a hairdryer, a pot of boiling water, or an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide to heating the ornaments and melting the crayons:
- Protect your work surface: Cover your work area with parchment paper or another heat-resistant material to catch any drips of melted wax.
- Prepare the crayons: Remove any paper wrapping from the crayons to ensure they melt cleanly. Choose the colours you want to use, keeping in mind that the colours will mix and blend inside the ornament.
- Stabilise the ornament: Place one half of the ornament shell on a flat surface or, if you prefer, on top of a mason jar to keep it steady.
- Heat the ornament with a hairdryer: Set your hairdryer to the highest temperature setting. Aim the hairdryer at the open end of the ornament shell and turn it on. The hot air will heat the inside of the ornament, causing the crayons to melt.
- Twist and turn the ornament: As the crayons start to melt, carefully twist and turn the ornament to create abstract drips and patterns. Be careful not to hold the hairdryer in one spot for too long to avoid overheating.
- Stop when you're happy with the result: You can stop heating and twisting the ornament once you're satisfied with the amount of melted wax inside. At this point, you can shake or heat the ornament slightly to help the excess wax drip out.
- Alternative methods: If you don't have a hairdryer, you can use other heat sources. Place the ornament in an oven set to a low temperature, being careful not to distort the plastic. Alternatively, place the ornament in a pot of boiling water, ensuring the water doesn't get inside the ornament.
Remember always to supervise children during this activity and be cautious when handling hot items.
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Melt the crayons
To melt crayons into plastic ornaments, you will need a few simple supplies. These include plastic ornament shells, crayons, a hair dryer, ribbon or twine for hanging the ornament, and parchment paper to protect your table surface.
Firstly, make sure you have two halves of the ornament shells that fit together. Remove any paper from the ends of the crayons so that they can melt cleanly. Place parchment paper over your work surface to protect it from melting wax.
Next, pick the colours you would like to use in your ornament, keeping in mind that there will be some mixing and blending of the melted crayon wax. Place one half of the ornament shell on a flat surface or on top of a mason jar to hold it steady.
Turn on your hair dryer to the highest setting and aim the hot air at the crayon until it starts to soften and melt. Then, keeping the hair dryer aimed into the ornament, start to draw around the inside of the ornament to apply the coloured wax. You can twirl the ornament as the wax drips to create abstract drips, or stop before the crayon completely covers the inside of the ornament to create a transparent and scratch effect.
Once you are satisfied with the amount of wax inside the ornament, shake or heat the crayons so that they go out of the opening. You can then add a bow or some sparkle to the outside of the ornament if desired.
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Decorate the ornaments
Decorating plastic ornaments with melted crayons is a fun and easy project to do with kids. The ornaments have a gorgeous stained-glass effect when held up to the light, and they make great decorations for a tree or a window. Here's how to make them:
First, gather your supplies. You will need plastic ornament shells, crayons, parchment paper, a hair dryer, and ribbon or twine for hanging the ornament. You may also want a mason jar or something similar to hold the ornament steady while you work.
Next, prepare your workspace. Cover your table with parchment paper to protect it from melting wax. Then, separate the two halves of your ornament shell and remove any paper from the ends of your crayons so they will melt cleanly.
Now, select the colours you would like to use, keeping in mind that the colours will mix and blend as the wax melts. Place one half of the ornament shell on the table or on top of a mason jar. Turn on your hair dryer to the highest setting and aim it at the crayon until it starts to soften and melt. Then, keeping the hair dryer aimed inside the ornament, begin to draw around the inside of the ornament to apply the coloured wax.
You can create abstract drips and patterns by twirling the ornament as the wax drips. You may want to stop before the entire inside of the ornament is covered with wax, as the transparent and scratch effect of the crayon wax against the glass can be quite beautiful.
Once you are satisfied with your ornament, shake or heat any remaining crayons so that they come out of the ornament. Then, add ribbon or twine so that your ornament can be hung, and admire your beautiful creation!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need plastic ornament shells, crayons, parchment paper, a hair dryer, and ribbon or twine for hanging the ornament.
First, remove any paper from the crayons so they melt cleanly. Then, place parchment paper over your table to protect it from melting wax. Pick the colours you would like to use, keeping in mind that there will be some mixing and blending of the melted crayon wax. Place the ornament shell on a mason jar to hold it still, then turn on the hair dryer and blow it onto the crayon until it starts to soften and melt. Keeping the hair dryer aimed into the ornament, start to draw around the inside of the ornament to apply the coloured wax.
When you are satisfied, shake or heat the crayons so they'll go out the opening. You can then add a bow or sparkle to the outside if you wish.
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