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A wire can easily be made with an empty plastic soda bottle. This wire can be used to make stems for fake flowers, as well as bracelets and other jewelry.
Steps
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Cut a soda bottle into a spiral. The width of the strip in the picture is about 4 mm (0.1575 in). [1] -
Sit and hold a hair dryer (or a heat gun) between both knees. Heat the plastic strip and wind it around while pulling it with both hands. Note, polyethylene terephthalate [PET] plastic becomes soft by 70ºC (158ºF).Advertisement
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Remove the strip from the hot air occasionally to allow it to cool down and fix the shape.
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Continue until as much of the plastic strip as you want has been twisted.
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Tips
Experimented example
Heat gun : Setting "300℃ (572ºF )/280L" is gauged with a digital thermometer. The temperature of the hot wind: (From vent) For 15cm (5.906 in) > 100℃ (212ºF) and for 20cm (7.874 in) > 80℃ (176ºF)
Hair dryer : The suitable temperature is in the vent nearest.
- Experiment with twisting the wire. A tight twist looks completely different than a loose twist.Thanks
- Pulling on the wire ensures that it is straight.Thanks
- Control the width of the wire by selecting the desired thickness of the original PET strip.Thanks
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Examples of use
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Make this flower
|
Add a Clasp to a Cord Choker |
Warnings
- If too high a temperature is used, or the plastic is left in the hot airflow too long, it may melt and break (see Warning below for toxic issues).Thanks
- The hair dryer/heat gun will get hot. It is recommended that you wear pants while doing this, to avoid being burned. This is not a craft for children to attempt.Thanks
- Toxic gases may be emitted as the plastic melts. Please control the temperature, so that the plastic strips receive only enough heat to soften. Don't melt them. PET: 68.81Tg/℃, 260Tm/℃. Consider doing this outside or in well-ventilated conditions.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic bottle (soda)
- Scissors
- Hair dryer or heat gun
About This Article
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Reader Success Stories
- "I am always looking for new, faster, easier, and unique ways to upgrade my arts and crafts. Since I use a lot of plastic bottles and make lots of flowers, I figure why not make the stems for them out of matching bottles and/or colors, too." ..." more
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"I am always looking for new, faster, easier, and unique ways to upgrade my arts and crafts.
Since I use a lot of plastic bottles and make lots of flowers, I figure why not make the stems for them out of matching bottles and/or colors, too."
..."
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"I am fascinated by the beautiful and useful things made of something useless, like a plastic bottle. I am also thankful for sharing these creations."
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