Crafting in a Troubled Economy

[Nicki D. Harper]

Brigitte Martin suggested I post:

When times are hard, people turn to crafts. Crafting releases tension, allows for personal creative expression and usually results in an object of beauty and utility.

I am currently interested in crafts that don't require a hefty investment and especially those that use found objects, or that recycle--economical and ecological crafting. One example is melting plastic bags (using a safe technique) to make jewelry.

I've also interested in retro crafts, from the depression era and before, because they tend to require inexpensive materials and no special equipment.

I'm eager to hear from others with similar interests.

Nicki Harper

[Michelle Pajak-Reynolds]

Hi Nikki,

This is something that interests me as well. For the past few months I been working with plexiglas, nylon fishing line and gold leaf. I've also used a variety of textiles and beads in my earlier work. I really like the versatility of the materials and they're much more affordable and less hazardous than precious metals. You can check them out on my website www.michellepajak.com.

What materials are you working with?

Michelle

[Nicki D. Harper]

I am primarily a writer, who just loves to design. I work in fibers and beads, polymer clay, and I'm learning to work with recycled plastic bags (of all things). I prefer to make wearable art.

I recently was the ghostwriter for a book on making crepe paper flowers, so much of my design time was spent on them. Although the book was aimed at beginners, in my research I found people who have made that craft a real art form.

Your work is spectacular! Do you teach?

Nicki

[Vicky T. Hunt]

I'm learning to crochet! All you need is a hook and some wool/fiber/yarn/strips of old clothes/plastic bags etc, etc.
Its a very stress-free way to pass the time - once I had figured out the basic stitch thanks to viewing a You Tube instructional video about 100 times over.
The most stressful thing is having to suffer the taunts of 'Here comes Granny' from my mates (I'm in my 30s).
Also here in NZ we are moving into the winter and I will be able to economise and send my two pre-schoolers out in 'funky' crochet woolly hats/scarves/mittens - and their friends are too young to mock them for it (I hope).

Does brewing your own alcohol also count as crafting - as I'm keen to give that a go too....

[Michelle Pajak-Reynolds]

Hi Vicky,

I think your kids are going to fantastic in their wolly items. I've been using a bit of crochet too. I inherited my grandma's steel crochet hooks. They're fantastic to use. She had some really tiny hooks which are great for crocheting fine threads and delicate forms.

I would consider making your own alcohol a craft. Cheers ;)

[Stevie B.]

How does one melt plastic bags safely? Are you really "melting" them or just heating them till they can be warped/manipulated? Would love to see some examples...

For the last 2 years or so I have been recycling and using found objects in my work more and more. It's very satisfying to use something destined for the rubbish bin and give it a new chance on life. But really what I love is that these bits of rubbish actually inspire me to create objects I never would have thought of if I had stuck with only using traditional materials.

Although I have a pretty large investment in my studio much can be done with stuff from the rubbish bin, some rivets (or just wire), and a hammer.

-Stevie

[2Roses]

As you have indicated, the desired working technique for the plastic will determine the method of melting/heating used. The biggest safety hazards are fumes and flammability. Hot plastic is nasty business and if it gets on you, you will have a memento of the experience. In most cases steady, controlled, indirect heat is the preferred method of melting plastic. This can be accomplished in an oven, double boiler, or in pot on a stove. The pot method is fastest, but also the most dangerous. You must take care to not let the plastic heat beyond it's flash point. We use an electric heating element with a pan so we can control the heat source temperature. Commercial plastic processors usually grind the plastic to be melted into small pellets. Cutting plastic bags into small pieces will facilitate the melting as well.

Other considerations when working with melted plastic is the amount of working time before the material sets up. Melted plastic wants to be worked very quickly. Heating your mold or forms is one way to extend this a bit.

[Nicki D. Harper]

The method on Etsy involves an iron at a low heat setting. It seems the plastic is melted just enough to allow several stacked plastic bags to adhere to one another, making a single, thick sheet.

I would try this outside, myself. Fumes are very dangerous when plastic is involved. And I would use the lowest possible heat setting on the iron.

Thanks so much for information on other techniques!

[Randi Harper]

Having just returned from 2 glorious weeks in Maine studying under Robert Ebendorf - I am brimming with respect and excitement @ working with "found" and repurposed objects!! Everything from lobster claws and fish skin to plastic hoo ha's and old tin cans found their way into amazing jewelry and small sculpture! Craft with a capital "C"!!!
PS Robert Dancik's amazing new book: "Amulets and Talisman's" - dedicated, in part to Robert Ebendorf ( a secret I fought hard to keep while I was in Maine!) is out now - one of the interesting techniques he describes involves heating and shaping plexiglas and Faux Bone. Try it, you'll love it!!
PPS Yep, that's my sis, Nicki - an amazingly bright and talented woman!

[Jessica Beels]

Beyond Garbage is a new blog where a group of artists (and anyone else who wants to join them!) plays with reusable and recyclable materials. We are less interested in final products (although we hope some very cool stuff will come from our experimentation) than in the purely artistic possibilities of the materials - going beyond the obvious. We pick a material each month and see what happens. We are just finishing up our first month (plastic supermarket shopping bags) and hope to have some of our results posted by the first week in December. December will be newspaper month. We also post resources about green living and other artists working with reused/recyclable materials. Also, there is a section with information about how to organize a group Earth Day recycled art contest. Join us!

http://beyondgarbage.wordpress.com

Thanks

Jessica Beels
www.jbeelsdesign.com