| u think of baking things in the oven, things like | | | | to harden when heated in the oven. This makes |
| cookies and casseroles probably come to mind. | | | | them good for crafts like making a necklace |
| However there are many other interesting, non | | | | charm out of a bottle cap. Fill the back of the cap |
| edible things that you can make in the oven as | | | | with polymer clay. Make a loop for hanging out of |
| well. The oven can be a useful tool for arts and | | | | wire and embed it in the clay. When baked and |
| crafts applications. | | | | cooled, clay will stay inside the cap and secure the |
| Making Record Bowls | | | | loop in place. |
| Give old, scratched vinyl records new life by | | | | Shrink Film Jewellery Charms |
| making them into attractive bowls. For this | | | | Shrink film is a kind of plastic that, when heated in |
| project you will need an old record, a medium | | | | the oven, becomes much smaller and thicker. This |
| sized stainless steel or Pyrex bowl, and a baking | | | | makes it a good material for creating small |
| sheet. Place the bowl upside-down on the cookie | | | | jewellery charms. Rubber stamp or draw images |
| sheet and place the record centered on top of | | | | onto the shrink film. Use a hole-punch to make a |
| the bowl. | | | | small hole in the plastic. Shrink according to |
| Records melt at a very low temperature, so set | | | | package directions, then feed jump rings through |
| your oven at its lowest setting. Allow it to | | | | the holes to create finished charms. |
| preheat, then place the baking sheet. Check the | | | | Dough Christmas Ornaments |
| record frequently and wait for it to melt. The | | | | A popular and delightful Christmas decoration can |
| time will vary from record to record, but should | | | | be made with some DIY dough, made from |
| be about 5 minutes. When the record begins to | | | | things you likely already have in your pantry. Basic |
| droop over the bowl, it is ready to mould. | | | | dough can be made by combining one part salt, |
| Take the baking sheet out of the oven. Carefully | | | | one part water, and two parts flour. Blended |
| life the record (it will be hot) and flip the bowl right | | | | together and mould into shapes or use cookie |
| side up. Place the hot record inside the bowl and | | | | cutters to make shapes. Poke holes for hanging |
| use it as a form for shaping the record. Work | | | | before baking at a low temperature for 2 hours. |
| quickly so that the vinyl is shaped before it has | | | | Once cooled, the ornaments can be painted. Hang |
| cooled. If needed, the record can be reheated and | | | | with a length of ribbon. |
| moulded again. | | | | Wax Paper and Crayon Stained Glass |
| Other Vinyl Record Projects | | | | Wax paper and crayon shavings can be made into |
| Heating vinyl records to the point of pliability also | | | | window decorations that look like a lot like stained |
| allows them to be cut and shaped into many | | | | glass. Place a piece of parchment paper on a |
| things. Heat the record on a baking sheet covered | | | | baking sheet followed by a piece of wax paper |
| with parchment paper. Look for the record to | | | | with the waxy side facing up. Arrange a layer of |
| warp and you will know that it is ready. Use | | | | crayon shavings over the wax paper, then cover |
| scissors or a razor blade to cut shapes and pieces | | | | with another sheet placed waxy side down. Add |
| out of the record, which can then be moulded if | | | | another sheet of parchment paper, then place a |
| desired. Try cutting bows, flower shapes, stars, | | | | couple of bricks or other flat, heavy objects on |
| or other shapes. The pieces can be attached to | | | | top. Bake on a low heat setting for several |
| each other with glue to create more complex | | | | minutes to bond the two layers of wax paper |
| projects. They make wonderful magnets or | | | | and allow to completely cool before continuing. Cut |
| brooches. | | | | shapes from the fused wax paper sheets. Punch |
| Recycled Bottle Cap Necklace | | | | a hole at the top of each shape and add a ribbon |
| Some types of clay, like polymer clay, are made | | | | for hanging. |