|
|
Supplies & Equipment for Pottery, Education & Crafts
|
|
|
Contemporary Pin Project at AMACO.com
Contemporary Pin
By Rosemary Stevenson
Materials
- Friendly Plastic®— 1½" x 7"
Two Harmonizing Colors of
Choice
- Beads — One Large, Metal
Bead for Focal Point and Odd
Number of Smaller Beads in
Contrasting Metal
- One or Two Bangle Bracelets or
Thick Gauge Wire in Brass or
Silver Tone
- Wire — Jeweler’s 20 or 24
Gauge Wire in Gold or Silver
Tone
- E-6000 Glue
- Large Pin Back
- Electric Skillet for Warm Water
- Candy Thermometer
- Wire Clips
- Bent-Nose Jeweler’s Pliers
Note: The heating and flattening technique used in this project produces a fluid, unpredictable design that is the key to free
form shapes. You can’t make a mistake! Just reheat and reshape or cut out parts you don’t like. Pieces made with this
method often resemble metal, leather, paper or even wood.
Step 1
|
Cut Friendly Plastic® into three pieces: one larger piece approximately 1" x 2" in dominant color; one long triangle in
contrasting color; one very long strip in contrasting color (as narrow as possible).
|
Step 2
|
Hold the larger rectangle shape of Friendly Plastic® by one corner and submerge the rest of it into the hot water up
to your fingers. Wave back and forth until it trails in the water. Remove fron water and quickly shift fingers to one
of the softened corners to soften the corner you were holding. When totally softened, turn upside-down on working
surface. A textured work surface will add design to your piece. Push shape out as if pressing out dough for a pie
crust. The plastic will pick up the texture, if any, of the working surface. Cup piece in hand to cool. Repeat process
with other two pieces, one at a time, only press the two from behind on your work surface creating a shadow effect.
|
Step 3
|
Bend bangle bracelet with one sharp turn of the bent-nosed pliers or heavy wire into an oval shape. Soften one end
of largest plastic piece from step 2 in warm water and wrap around metal bracelet or wire frame. Warm and anchor
the other end. Heat piece until you get the shape and draping effect that you like. Heat ends of other pieces in similar
manner and anchor to frame, leaving space between the two pieces. If you have a long end, reheat in warm
water and curl it around another piece to keep loose ends from sticking out.
|
Step 4
|
Bend one end of smaller wire and load beads onto it. Wrap one end of wire around large oval shape several times,
tucking in sharp end. Weave beaded wire through the piece loosely, letting largest bead nest between two main
pieces or in a recess. Anchor loose end of wire. With pliers bend the wire randomly until it conforms with piece.
|
Step 5
|
Glue on pin back or suspend from a chain or cord.
|
Get Acrobat Reader
 |
AMACO Products
|
| |
Contact Us
