Let’s make jewellery out of plastic recycling!
Grace your necks with these super fun jewel-shaped pieces!
Find new ways to colour plastic!
Your kids would enjoy discovering different ways to colour their plastic gems and look fabulous!
Valentines day, Love month
Love is in the air, to be precise, in the UK on the 14th of February, and in this post, I shall ‘Make Jewellery out of plastic recycling!
TO CRAFT NOW OR OVER THE HOLIDAYS!
A great project to keep or to gift for Valentine’s Day! or to have fun creating unique necklaces, especially over the half-term holidays!
WHAT TO CRAFT?
So I have been thinking about what I can use from my recycling bag to upcycle into fun jewellery.
Any range of different types of plastic would be a good resource to simulate crystals, adding other resources to make the jewellery interesting.
GATHER A SELECTION OF RESOURCS!
Look around your home and find any item that would make a great resource for a necklace. It could be anything, such as string, an unused chain, beads, or feathers, that you can wrap around your crystals and make your piece unique!
HOW TO COLOUR PLASTICS.
So how can you apply a colour to any plastic?
Having looked into this, I found a few easy solutions, one of which is to utilize nail varnishes, that haven’t been used for a while, acrylic pens, or permanent markers.
So if you don’t want to apply a colour to your crystals, keep them plain and simple.
HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO USE NAIL VARNISHES TO COLOUR YOUR PIECE OF PLASTIC.
This short video demonstrates how to use any old nail polish creatively. Add drops of varnish into a basin of warm tepid water, and the polish will emerge together.
If the water is too cold the nail varnish will set quickly, you need the varnish to merge in the right temperature.
You can flick the nail varnish to create a pattern, then slide pieces of plastic into the solution instead of paper and you will get a fabulous result!
Allow to dry, then cut into selected shapes.
Alternatively, apply acrylic paints in warm water to create a similar pattern.
MY INTENSION!
This brings me to tell you my thoughts on how to ‘make jewellery out of plastic recycling’
The crafted fun jewellery would make a super gift for someone special on Valentine’s Day, or even as a fun pressy!
I wanted to align this project with a relatively new company Kailash Energy, they craft beautiful jewellery although in this case, with a spiritual background.
WHAT I DISCOVERED!
I touched base with this new, amazing jewellery company. The material they use is sourced from the Himalayas, around Mount Kailash.
Tibetan jewellery incorporates natural elements such as crystals, gemstones, and traditional materials like jade, turquoise, and coral.
THE PROJECT IN HAND.
For this post, Kailash Energy has inspired me to craft fun jewellery and this is where I will ‘Make jewellery out of plastic recycling!
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE JEWELLERY OUT OF PLASTIC RECYCLING?
RESOURCES.
Different plastic packaging, eg. milk cartons, fruit or food packaging.
Coloured strings long enough to go around the neck/ A spare neck chain.
Buttons, beads, coloured feathers. Needle and thread.
Bright-coloured nail polishes.
Acrylic pens, permanent markers. (not shown)
Puncher, large/small scissors/patterned edge.
LET’S GET GOING!
Watch this video to see how to make a crochet chain.
I used this method to create a necklace chain out of string.
SOME TIPS!
There is a large collection of resources, I have shown you a range of ways to decorate your pieces.
However, to keep this project simple, leave all plastics as they are in their raw state, and decorate how you like, adding buttons, feathers and or wrapping around with string.
MAKING YOUR NECKLACE.
Choose one style, to have many pieces on the neckchain, or you can have just one plastic gem on your necklace.
Make sure the length of the string is the right length so that it can go over your head easily when you loop it. Once you have made your necklace, tie the ends into a neat knot.
MARBLING WITH NAIL POLISH.
- Marbling is fun, though you have to dip plastic pieces quickly to transfer colours onto them.
- Marbling should be done in a ventilated room, outside or with a cover to keep the strong nail polish aroma confined.
- Allow the marbling to dry before you cut out shapes.
PLAT OR LOOP STRING.
- To get the plat or loop effect on the string, first, make a loop and pull through the long string, make another loop and pull through again, and adjust to even out the loops. (see video above.)
TAPE ENDS.
- To thread parts through the strings to form a necklace, twist some tape (sellotape, or masking tape) on the end of the string to make a point then you can run plastics through the holes much more easily.
ADDING FEATHERS!
- Sew the feathers onto the string either where it is wrapped around a gem, or on part of the necklace.
ADDITIONAL PIECE.
- The bangle is optional, but fun to make. You may have to squeeze it into shape as it can get floppy and weigh down once you have applied the string around it.
WHAT ELSE DOES KAILASH ENERGY OFFER?
LET’S TAKE A LOOK!
Hey there, when you click on links in this post and you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that l can use towards resources (other than throw-outs) for project making within my website😀
KAILASH ENERGY.
Kailash Energy is a jewellery brand inspired by the sacred Mount Kailash, which is located on the Tibetan plateau.
The brand aims to share spiritual energy and cultural heritage through handcrafted pieces.
Crafted by Tibetans, these artisans utilize traditional techniques to craft each piece,
Ensuring that the jewellery embodies the spiritual essence of the region.
Below is some of the beautiful hand-crafted jewellery from Kailash Energy.
KAILASH ENERGY AS A BRAND!
The brand’s foundation and its focus are a commitment to ethical production and cultural preservation.
By employing local artisans and utilizing traditional methods, they support the local economy and help maintain cultural heritage.
As well as eco-friendly activities at Mount Kailash eg.
Litter removal.
Educating visitors on sustainable practices.
Engaging in conservation projects.
Preserve the purity of the sacred site.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
A portion of the company’s proceeds is allocated to charitable causes. eg…..
Improving living conditions,
Support for Education.
Support for Healthcare.
Through these initiatives, Kailash Energy honours the spiritual significance of Mount Kailash while contributing to the well-being of the Tibetan community and the preservation of their environment.
This is the scene leading up to Kailash Mountain, where visitors honour the sacred grounds, worshipping from afar cleansing their spirit and being blessed.
Kailash Energy is a true wonder and they craft unique pieces, that capture the essence of Kailash Mountain.
Whoever sees these wonderful ranges of jewellery, whether, necklaces, bracelets or earrings there will be something that will grab your attention and you can wear one of these pieces with pride that also carries a sense of blessing.
So how about taking a leap and jump in and see what super rustic and authentic pieces Kailash Energy have to offer!
Don’t forget, on Valentine’s Day, there is somewhat of an expectation of yummy treats and a thoughtful card!
Here’s an idea, for those special cards with a bit of difference check out BOOMF! They have a great selection of cranky and fun sayings, personalized cards and if you are looking for a reaction, exploding ‘BOMB‘ cards too!
Take a look at some of the reactions when receiving an exploding BOMB, card or box!
OR……..
CHECK OUT CHOCOLATE TRADING CO. FOR OUTSTANDING UNIQUE CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS!
Get those taste buds zinging with an explosion of yummy concoction of mouth-watering superior-tasting chocolates!
Chocolate Trading Co. offers a choice of chocolate boxes you can also personalise as an extra special gift for someone special.
WHAT OCCASION?
For ‘Love’ Day’ or for any occasion a Birthday treat, a Thank-you gift a ‘Well done’ treat or a ‘Congratulations’ treat! For any occasion you want!
WHATS INCLUDED?
Furthermore, these outstanding chocolates are made with 100% cocoa butter, no vegetable oils, reduced sugar, natural flavouring and no additives!
There are many variations to choose from!
Are you tempted? Check them out, you won’t be disappointed!
TO CONCLUDE!
THE IDEA!
In this post, I show how to up-cycle your ordinary plastic throw-outs into fun chunky necklaces!
With a few colouring ideas and ways to design your gem pieces, kids will enjoy being inventive!
THE INSPIRATION!
Introducing Kailash Energy who inspired me to be creative and how the final crafted product aligns with their unique jewellery.
CHECK YOUR RECYCLING!
So hold on to your plastics, whether milk cartons or ordinary plastic packaging, as they will be the main resource to help craft your beautiful necklaces!