Melting Beads: Kind of Retro

Today I tried a craft that I have never tried before and it is just the perfect thing to keep tweens busy this summer.  I know I do not have any tweens in my home any more, but I do have a niece, Judiann, and I just know she and her friends are going to love this project.  While browsing on Pinterest, I found this idea of melting plastic craft beads and making sun catchers and my personal favorite, artsy bowls.  These  melted bead bowls end up looking a little retro to me and remind me of the mixing bowls that look like this.

Which then reminds me of my other niece Amanda, who is just beginning a business call RETROspective by Design.  She is into creating and repurposing all things retro.  I made my bowls with mostly clear beads, but I am thinking if you use the solid color beads and split them into colors you will come up with bowls that even more closely resemble their old time counterparts.  Here is how I made retro bowls.

I covered a round pan with foil and filled the bottom with beads, making sure that there was only one layer and all spaces were covered with beads.  Place the pan in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the beads have totally melted.  This is really, really hot.  I would suggest adult supervision for this part.  I know tweens think they can do it, but dang, spilling hot, melted plastic on yourself would probably require a trip to the ER and keep you out of pool for a couple of weeks.  Not a good start to Summer. 

You end up with disc of plastic which is what I originally found on Pinterest as a sun catcher.  But if you cover a bowl with foil, center your plastic disc on it, and place it back in the oven it will begin to melt down the sides of the bowl.

This does not take very long, so you can literally watch this happen.  It’s pretty cool.

This was my first try, I used clear pink, clear red, clear iridescent, plain clear, and a sprinkle of solid pink.  All of these colors turned out great except the iridescent, they kind of look yellowish.  I would not used them unless your color scheme was yellows or oranges.

My second try I used mixed clear with a sprinkle of solid white and instead of a bowl to melt the disc over I used a square tin can.  These are so fun, easy, and I love the end result. 

I am participating in the following link ups:  Somewhat Simple, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Gluesticks, Beyond the Pikcet Fence, Momnivore's Dilemma, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Blooming Designs, Bubble Nature Creations, Liz Marie, Addicted 2 Decorating, House of Hepworths, Stuff and Nonsense, Finding Fabulous, The Shabby Nest, Truly Lovely, Simply Sweet Home, Bubbly Nature Creations, The Answer is Chocolate, Sassy Sites, I Gotta Create, The CSI Project, Sisters of the Wild West, Boogieboard Cottage, It So Very Cheri, DIY Showoff, Natasha In Oz, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Between Naps on the Porch, Skip to My Lou, Todays Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, Ladybug Blessings, Domestically Speaking, The Thrifty Home, Blue Cricket Design, Fabric Bows and More, My Girlish Whimms, Seven Thirty Three, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna, Mama Hens Coop, {Primp}, Vintage Gwen, Frugally Sustainable

Comments

[Cynthia H]

Love this idea! Next time I see a container full of these beads at the thrift store, I'm going to grab them :)
Discovered (and following you via Pinterest, Twitter & FB as The Bottomless Heart) you at the Show Off Your Stuff link up at Fireflies & Jellybeans!

[Beth Roan]

I love this!!!! So doing this with my girls this summer!
Beth @ http://definitelyleopard.com/

[Jessi]

I just did a post about these on my blog! They're so fun! Your pink and red bowl is beautiful!

[Christina at I Gotta Create!]

Looks like the perfect summer fun project! The bowls are just delightful!
Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create!
<3 Christina

[Carol ( Answer Is Chocolate)]

I think I have a stash of these beads somewhere from when my son was obsessed with them. Great idea! Thanks for sharing at this week's BFF Open House.

[Kelly]

My girls will love trying this. Thank you for the inspiration. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Hope]

That is so cool! I am going to have to try this! :o)
- Hope

[Christina at I Gotta Create!]

You're a STAR tonight at I Gotta Create! Thanks so much for linking up this fabulous project! xxoo
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/06/wildly-original-features-3-new-party.html
<3 Christina

[Poppy]

Wow! these look amazing! I love the fun colors of the beads and how you shaped these retro bowls...looks like something you will find in a high-end artsy store:)Beautiful project! Thanks for the inspiration and for your sweet comment on my beachy living room. Enjoy your day!Hugs,Poppy

[Terri]

So pretty! I made the suncatchers already. I have some beads left over so I can try a bowl too! Thanks for the idea!

[Robin Taney]

These are so pretty, but what kind of beads are they? You can't use just any plastic beads because they give off toxic fumes when they melt. Melty Beads are non toxic and made for this purpose.