Water Bottle Craft | Cool2Craft

Water Bottle Beach Necklace by EcoHeidi Borchers

June 14, 2011 By cjedrowicz Leave a Comment

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This gorgeous necklace is yet another example of EcoHeidi Borchers’ crafty magic! In this tutorial EcoHeidi shows how to make a fabulous beach theme necklace from a plastic water bottle, acrylic paint, sea shells, beads and glitter. As seen on Cool2Craft TV.

Watch EcoHieid’a super fun Water Bottle Beach Necklace YouTube video tutorial!

Materials:
Plastic water bottle
Craft knife
Scissors
Paper punch- 1/8”
Wax paper
Acrylic paint- ivory
Cosmetic sponge- to apply paint
Shells- small
Small seed beads, pearls, bugle beads, micro no hole beads
Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer finish
Glitter
Jewelry findings – jump rings, necklace chain with closure, eye pins
Glass beads – assorted sizes (to go on the eye pins)
Ribbons – silk assorted colors to tie onto chain
Needle nose pliers

	Using a craft knife, carefully cut off the top and the bottom of the plastic water bottle.

	With a fine line marker, draw free-form shape onto the plastic. Cut with scissors. You will need 9 pieces for the necklace.

	Using the paper punch, punch hole at the top edge of each of the plastic pieces.

	Place a small amount of the acrylic paint onto wax paper. Dab sponge into paint and then dab onto plastic. Let paint dry completely. Apply a second coat. Let dry.

	Glue the shells onto the painted plastic pieces. Add a few micro beads, bugle beads and pearls around the shells.

	Apply the 3D lacquer by squeezing a small amount at a time over the front of the plastic piece also covering all the glued items.

	Sprinkle a small amount of glitter onto the wet 3D lacquer. Let dry completely.

	Using the needle nose pliers attach a jump ring to each plastic piece. Then attach the jump ring to the chain necklace.

	Place glass beads onto eye pin. Close eye pin with needle nose pliers. Attach a jump ring to each eye pin, then attach to chain. Tie pieces of ribbon onto the chain.

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Filed Under: Feature on homepage, Heidi Borchers, Idea Gallery Tagged With: beach theme craft, Cool2Craft, Cool2Craft TV, crafting television show, EcoHeidi Borchers, Friendly Plastic, Glitter, recycle craft, sea shell necklace, water bottle craft

Water Bottle Nest with Polymer Clay Peepers by Candace Jedrowicz

May 10, 2011 By cjedrowicz Leave a Comment

C2C May 2 Peepers by Candace Jedrowicz - Hero

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Spring is in full swing and these little polymer clay peepers in their water bottle and crinkle paper nest are so cute! In this tutorial, Candace Jedrowicz demonstrates how to make this adorable,yet simple project. As featured on Cool2Craft TV with Tiffany Windsor.

Watch Candace’s Water Bottle Nest with Polymer Clay Peepers YouTube video tutorial

Materials:
Water bottle – any size
Crinkle paper
Glue – I used Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
Polymer clay – I used combined leftover clays to make a grayish brown, yellow and black
Feathers
Twigs
Fabric flowers
Clear glossy sealer
Brown acrylic paint
Aluminum foil

	Cut off the bottom of the water bottle. EcoHeidi recommends making the first cut with a craft knife, then use scissors to finish. Paint with brown acrylic – or any color you want, depending on the color crinkle paper you chose.

	When the paint is dry, cover the outside with glue. You can use a brush to apply the glue, or use your finger to spread it out, like I’m about to do here. Set the whole thing into a big pile of the crinkle paper. Push the paper up around the glue to secure it.

	Apply glue to the inside and continue to push the paper to the inside. You may want to set something on top of the paper inside to firmly attach the paper.

	This photo shows the proportions of polymer clay you’ll use to make each bird. Using about an 8″x8″ piece of foil and squish it down to a gum drop shape.

	Flatten the largest ball of clay to about 1/4″thick. Mold it over the foil shape and give it a flat bottom. Use the second largest piece to begin the head and neck.The next size down will be the wings. Make them into a long tear drop shape.Make a cone from the yellow clay for the beak.

	Roll the tiny black pieces into eyes and press them gently on the head. Slightly flatten the beak and press on below the eyes. Keep in mind his little face is looking up.Flatten two of the small pieces for cheeks. The third piece will be his tongue. Trim the downy parts of the feather.

	The cheeks are set on the sides of the beak. Use a craft knife to “open” the beak.Press the tongue into place. Bake the clay according to the directions. Glue little bits of down on top of his head and wings. Drop a tiny drop of glossy sealer on the eyes.

	The twigs are optional, but, if you use a muted color of clay like I did, the twigs are a great way to bring in the colorful flowers with jewel centers.

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Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Feature on homepage, Idea Gallery, Tiffany Windsor Tagged With: Candace Jedrowicz, Cool2Craft, Cool2Craft TV, crafting television show, crinkle paper, Glue, polymer clay, polymer clay baby birds, polymer clay peepers, Tiffany Windsor, water bottle craft, water bottle nest

Plastic Water Bottle and Paper Bracelets by EcoHeidi Borchers

April 19, 2011 By cjedrowicz 3 Comments

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No one does recycled water bottle bracelets like EcoHeidi Borchers, but these beauties are over-the-moon fabulous! EcoHeidi crafted these super chic bracelets from plastic water bottles, scrapbook paper and metallic foil tape and she’s sharing her easy-to-follow instructions with you. We know you’ll want to make dozens of them when you see how much fun they are to make! As seen on Cool2Craft TV.

Watch EcoHeidi’s Water Bottle and Paper Bracelet YouTube video tutorial!

Materials:
Plastic water bottles with smooth sides with sticker/labels removed (I used Smart Water, also larger sizes of Aquafina have smooth sides)
Sticker removal product (like UnDo or GooGone)
Paper- scrapbooking, collage, or any decorative paper
Copper foiling tape – ¼” wide-self adhesive – silver or any color
Masking tape – whatever width you want bracelet

	Remove the labels or the stickiness with a sticker removal product.To measure and cut the plastic water bottles, place the masking tape evenly around the bottle. Each ring of masking tape is a bracelet.

	Cut the bracelets apart using a craft knife.

	Trim the edges of the plastic to the edge of the tape with scissors.

	For each paper bracelet you will need 2 rings of the plastic water bottle, cut to the same width.Cut one of the rings open.

	Cut a strip of paper the same width and slightly longer than the plastic water bottle rings.

	Sandwich the paper in between the two plastic water bottle rings. (Lightly glue ends of paper together if helpful.)

	Measure and cut two pieces of the foil tape to go around the bracelet plus ¼”. Remove a small length of paper backing at a time.Line up the foil tape centered on one outer edge of the plastic bracelet.

	Press to secure the tape all the way around the plastic bracelet.Carefully push the other edge of the tape over the bracelet edge to the back or inside of the bracelet.

	Push with your fingers to smooth the tape on the inside of the bracelet the best you can.

	Then use a pencil to press over the edges of the foil tape.

	Repeat with the other side, centering the tape on the edge of the plastic bracelet. Push the tape to the inside of the bracelet.

	Here’s the finished bracelet. Visually, it’s more important for the outer edge of the tape to be smooth, but the inside should be as smooth as possible for comfort.

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Filed Under: Heidi Borchers, Idea Gallery Tagged With: Bracelet, Cool2Craft, Cool2Craft LIVE TV Channel, crafting television show, crafts, EcoHeidi Borchers, Heidi Borchers, paper craft, recycle craft, water bottle and paper bracelets, water bottle craft

How to Make a Farm Pig From Cloud Clay by Linda Peterson

March 29, 2011 By cjedrowicz 7 Comments

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This adorable little guy is the subject of Linda Peterson’s easy-to-make craft tutorial: How to Make a Farm Pig From Cloud Clay! Cloud Clay is an air dry medium that’s a favorite with kids of all ages. With a plastic water bottle armature and a little acrylic paint you can make this cutie pie pig! Featured in the Cool2Craft FaveCrafts newsletter.

Cloud Clay – white
Acrylic paint – pink, black and white
Water bottle – empty
Bowl of water
Masking tape
Paintbrush
Brayer or rolling pin
Scissors

Hints: Air dry clay can dry out if left exposed to air too long. To prevent this, keep unused clay wrapped in plastic wrap. You can add one drop of water to your fingers to work into the clay. Too much water makes the clay too sticky.

	To shorten the water bottle, wrap masking tape around the area of the bottle just above the indentation. This provides a nice cutting line. Cut along the edge of tape.

	Cut the bottom off the water bottle and tape onto the bottom of the shortened bottle.

	Press a 2” ball of Cloud Clay onto bottom.

	Flatten a sheet of clay to approximately 1/4” thickness with a rolling pin or brayer.Wrap sheet around entire bottle.

	Continue wrapping up to the edge of nozzle where cap is attached. Wrap the bottle cap with clay also. Replace covered cap onto bottle to ensure that it fits snug onto water bottle. Smooth out with brayer if there are any large dips in clay. Add two teardrops to the front of face for eyes.

	Shape a 1-1/2” ball into a log and press the end against the table.

	With scissors, make a cut in the center and shape into a hoof. Repeat to create 3 more.

	Attach feet to bottom of pig. If necessary add a drop of water to each area to be joined.

	Flatten a 1/2″ ball of clay and shape into a triangle for ears. Add ears to head with a drop of water. Allow clay to dry.

	Paint entire pig pink except for the eyes. Paint eyes white to brighten them. Paint pupil of pig’s eye with black paint. Allow to dry.

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Filed Under: Idea Gallery, Linda Peterson Tagged With: air dry clay, Animal sculpture, Cloud Clay, Cloud Clay pig, Cool2Craft, Cool2Craft TV, crafting television show, crafts, Linda Peterson, recycle craft, water bottle craft

Water Bottle Flower Jewelry by EcoHeidi Borchers

February 7, 2011 By Tiffany Windsor Leave a Comment

Waterbottle Jewelry by EcoHeidi Borchers- Hero

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Created by EcoHeidi Borchers for EcoHeidi LIVE TV

EcoHeidi is working her creative eco magic by transforming plastic water bottle bottoms and bottle lids into wearable art! Featured on EcoHeidi LIVE TV.

Watch EcoHeidi’s Water Bottle Flower Jewelry YouTube video tutorial

Materials needed:

Plastic water bottle bottoms

Scissors

Craft knife

Metal knitting needle (to help hold plastic while heating)

Paint (Krylon makes a spray paint for plastic or you can use acrylic paints by using a cosmetic sponge to apply acrylic paints to plastic – apply several coats)

Hole punch 1/8”

Jump rings

Buttons

Embroidery floss – each flower needs approx 6” to 8” to tie on button centers (Here’s a special designer hint from me to you: Apply a small amount of Aleene’s Tacky Glue to the ends of your embroidery floss. Let set several minutes and then thread through buttons. The glue helps to hold the ends of the floss together.)

Heat gun

Tile or heat resistant surface

Drill with 1/16” drill bit

Needle nose pliers

	1. Cut the petals into the sides of the bottom of the plastic water bottle. Photo shows bottoms before cutting on the bottom row and petals already cut on the top row in photo. Punch sides of two petals (opposite sides) with the hole punch for fastening jump rings later.

	2. Place pre-cut and pre-punched flowers onto heat resistant surface. Hold the middle of the flower with knitting needle and heat carefully with heat gun.

	The edges of the petals will curl up as you heat, so remove heat when you reach desired shape of petals.

	3. Paint all flowers. Let paint dry. (Note that it is not necessary to paint both sides of the flowers because the color will show through the clear bottle. The painted side will tend to be more of a matte finish and the other side will be glossy.)drill two holes into the centers of flowers (to thread on buttons).

	4. To create leaves, cut from sides of plastic water bottles. Paint in same manner as flowers. Drill hole on each end.

	5. To make the bottle cap daisies, cut the cap using a craft knife. You will need to evenly space the cuts to create the petals.

	6. Using a heat gun and holding with the metal knitting needle, carefully heat the pre-cut cap. You will have to help shape each flower.
	Let the cap/flower cool slightly, then help to shape with fingers. If it cools too fast, reheat and repeat until all petals are laying flat.

	7. Using scissors, carefully cut and round off each petal.

	8. Drill holes into edges of opposite petals. Drill two holes in the middle.

	9. Using 8” piece of embroidery floss, thread button onto each flower for flower centers. Tie floss in knot to hold button in place.

	10. Using needle nose pliers, attach flowers together using large jump rings.

	11. Assemble leaves and flowers with jump rings to desired length.