Jewelry Lovers

Plastic is a lightweight material that comes in an exciting variety of forms and colours and is very easily worked. It is often considered solely as a substitute for materials such as glass, wood or metal but, in fact, it has properties that make it totally unique as a crafts material.

It is made up from chemicals derived from coal and petroleum and this chemical structure can be altered to suit different purposes. Plastic is really a collective word for a number of materials, many quite unlike one another. However, they can by divided into two main groups.

Thermoplastics

These are plastics which are hard at normal temperature but soften when heated. The material can then be shaped and moulded and will retain the new shape when it cools to its former solid mass. This process can be repeated a number of times before the material starts to break down so that if you make a mistake, it can be corrected.

Acrylic in sheets, celluloid, polystyrene and polyvinyl acetate (PVA) are all example of thermoplastics.

Thermosetting plastics

These are a group of material that undergo a chemical change which is irreversible. They solidify in the presence of heat and, once shaped and cooled, they cannot be reworked.

Polyester resins are thermosetting plastics. They have a syrup-like consistency and, when mixed with a catalyst — the hardener — they generate heat and cool down to a solid. Resins are made for different applications so always make sure that the resin you use is suitable for the particular job you are doing. Resins for clear casting are especially made to remain clear with little or no optical distortion. These are also treated to avoid excessive shrinkage so that when a solid object is embedded in them they will not crack around the object. Polyester resin is easy to work with and is suitable for craft purposes in the home.

Rainbow jewelry

The shimmering rainbow effect of these pendants is created by defraction foil. This is, in fact, a thin silvery plastic sheet that has had very fine grooves cut into it, rather like those on a record, in a pattern. The grooves break up light into rainbow colours in the manner of a prism. To cover a wall with this material would be expensive but a small piece will go along way in making jewelry.

To mount the foil on a metal blank, cut a piece of foil slightly larger than the shape you are using.

Glue the foil onto the metal blank with a clear, general purpose glue. Leave to dry and then very carefully trim away excess foil with a sharp knife. Thread onto a chain or silken cord to make a pendant or glue the blank onto a brooch fitting.

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Plastic Jewellery