Review author: Terrari School of Design
To make crafts from plastic bottles with your own hands, you need to stock up on some materials. This list will depend on the type and purpose of the item being manufactured.
Firstly, it should be remembered that thermoplastic bottles, although convenient to use, are very harmful to the environment. Its long decomposition over more than 2 centuries makes plastic an excellent material for construction or other crafts.
To build a house, barn, greenhouse or any other structure, you will need other building materials. These are pins, metal, nails, ropes, tools, wooden beams, sand, soil, etc.
For furniture, you can also use some of the above list. But you need to add several tools. The list is replenished with fabric, glue, padding (optional).
The next common trend in bottle production is children's crafts. For them you will have to stock up on colored paper, paints, plasticine, glue, beads, etc. The list is limited only by imagination and idea.
Original plastic crafts
Compositions from such material are created on various topics. If you use your imagination, you will be able to make amazing crafts from plastic bottles. They make great lantern garlands for the garden.
A bird feeder, delicate daisies, and cheerful gnomes will complement the landscape. Along the path, install small gnomes with bells, which will lift your spirits with their smiles.
Containers made from plastic bottles are suitable for storing various small items. To do this, the upper part of the vessel is cut off. You can use bright hand-sewn bags as a lid.
Construction of capital buildings
The burning problem of all summer residents is the construction of a house and auxiliary buildings on a garden plot in conditions of a small land plot and limited funds. In addition, the seasonal purpose of the dacha does not imply the construction of permanent structures “for centuries”.
So, enterprising people decided to use a prosaic plastic bottle as a building material. The walls of houses, gazebos, greenhouses, and other garden structures are laid out traditionally - in a checkerboard pattern using cement mortar, only instead of bricks, unnecessary plastic containers filled with sand are used.
To support this not entirely familiar eco-style, you can make a variety of crafts from bottles for the garden so that the design of the site is decided in a single key. Let's look in detail at how you can make your life simpler and more comfortable with the help of PVC containers.
Country house
Despite the apparent simplicity of building a building from plastic containers, there are some nuances that you need to take into account if you decide to build a country house with your own hands. Here are a couple of useful tips:
- Place a reinforcing mesh between the rows of masonry - the adhesion of the solution to the surface of the bottle will improve.
- Do not forget that plastic does not come into contact with cement like brick, so make small holes in the container - this way the solution will begin to interact with the sand inside the bottle and the wall will become stronger.
- During masonry work, secure the bottles with rope or wire so that the rows do not move apart.
Please note that plastic tends to deteriorate under the influence of frost and heat, especially from temperature changes, so be prepared that after some time - 5-10 years, the walls of the building will begin the “countdown”.
Using PVC bottles as a building material, you can build an economical house in the country
The cylindrical shape of plastic bottles allows you to build houses and gazebos that are round in plan
In addition to the supporting structure of a house made of plastic containers, this universal building material, as it turns out, can be used for roofing work. We offer you two options for roofing from used PVC containers:
- Plastic tiles. To make this simple roofing covering, you need to compress plastic bottles. If this process is carried out without slightly heating the plastic, the container will simply crack, so the easiest way is to lay the raw material out in the sun and then flatten the containers. Installation of PVC modules is carried out using ordinary self-tapping screws to the frame with laying of the material in several layers. From such tiles you can easily form a cone-shaped roof for a gazebo or bathhouse.
- Plastic slate. From the cylindrical part of a plastic bottle it is quite easy to make something like a slate covering for a roof. To do this, you need to cut off the bottom and neck of the container, cut the middle part of the container lengthwise and in half, and connect the resulting PVC elements with glue, forming a wavy surface.
If you decide to build a house from wood, brick, or there is already a residential building on your summer cottage, pick up a plastic bottle and show your imagination - decorate the facade with unusual decor from plastic corks. Complex geometric patterns, floral patterns or slightly naive “cartoon” animals - choose any style that suits your spirit.
An interesting solution to the problem of country housing is the construction of a country house from a container, read about it:
It is quite easy to make a roof for a summer house from plastic bottles - either in the form of tiles or like slate
Bright plastic lids from used containers will give the facade of a country house an expressive color
Decor made from bottle caps for the facade of a country house will give the building individuality
Gazebos, greenhouses, pergolas
The most rational use of plastic bottles for the garden is not only crafts designed to decorate it, but also more significant things, for example, greenhouses or gazebos. Why buy expensive polycarbonate to build a greenhouse if the PVC from which the containers are made is practically the same material?
Why equip a greenhouse with glass that is even more expensive than laminated plastic if there are unnecessary bottles? By refracting the sun's rays, PVC containers perform the same tasks as glass and polycarbonate, moreover, this is the most economical option for building a greenhouse that you can find.
An economical option for arranging a gazebo or greenhouse in the country - building from plastic bottles
If you are bored with the traditional rectangular gazebo, make it in the form of a hemisphere using a metal frame and plastic bottles
Having built a frame of wood or metal, arm yourself with a hot knitting needle, drill or hammer with nails. One way is to make holes in the bottom and cap of a plastic bottle and place the plastic containers on a fishing line or wire, the length of which will be slightly greater than the height of the building. Stretch the resulting elements and secure them to the cross members of the frame - this way you will form the walls of a greenhouse or gazebo. Additionally, you can fix the vertical modules in the transverse direction by tying the bottles within one row with wire. Using containers of different colors, try to create some kind of ornament - this way you will diversify the colorless mass of walls made of transparent plastic.
What else can you build from plastic bottles for your garden? The most easily erected version of a small architectural form made from plastic bottles in the garden is a lightweight gazebo - a pergola, which usually serves as a frame for climbing plants. However, despite the fact that in spring and summer the pergola structure will be hidden by climbing roses or ivy, in winter its frame will be exposed and will not look very good. To avoid this phenomenon, you can decorate the pergola structure with plastic bottles of a natural shade - brown or green. The brownish colors of PVC vaguely resemble wood, while the grassy colors will enliven the appearance of the garden in the cold season.
Fences, railings, gates
You can save a lot of money if you use plastic bottles to fence your garden plot. Using the same principle that was described in the construction of the gazebo, instead of corrugated sheeting, chain-link mesh or polycarbonate, use plastic containers to fill the space between the fence posts.
With a little creativity and diligence, the border of your garden will become not only impassable, but also extravagant and eye-catching. If the fence has already been erected earlier, floral decor made from plastic bottles will give it a new sound - the most natural option for the garden.
To support country houses made of plastic bottles, build a fence using the same containers for the integrity of the landscape design
Multi-colored flowers cut from plastic bottles will refresh and decorate an old fence or country house
Carport
An eternal problem for car owners is allocating space on a plot of land to park a car or several vehicles - bicycles, scooters or ATVs. The design of a compact private or country house does not always include space for a car, so there is a need to build a separate garage or shed. The construction of these structures is expensive and beyond the means of many, so the car sits under the scorching sun, exposed to the winds, rain and snow. Ordinary plastic bottles come to the rescue in this situation - waste, useless containers that allow you to experiment without fear, without fear of spoiling the building material. If something doesn’t work out and the bottle becomes unusable, you can always take another one and not lose a penny.
Material about parking options for a car in the country will also be useful:
A carport made from plastic bottles will not only fulfill its immediate function, but will also add an original accent to the country landscape
So, from plastic bottles you can form a plastic structure, unusual in its configuration and performing several functions at once - it will create a protective plane from precipitation and sun and, at the same time, decorate your garden. There is nothing complicated about forming a canopy from bottles - it can easily be made with your own hands.
First, you need to make through holes in plastic containers, or rather, it is best to burn them with a hot rod, and then put the bottles on fishing line, rope or wire, connecting them in rows. Sequences of bottles are fastened together by perpendicular connections through another pair of holes and the previously selected material for “firmware”. Thus, a movable surface is obtained, reminiscent of “bottle fabric”, which remains to be attached to a metal or wooden frame using hangers of different lengths to create a wave-like effect.
It is important to know! Considering that a plastic bottle is a kind of lens that refracts light in the same way as glass, it is advisable to paint the bottom of the container to block direct sunlight.
Products from cups
To create an interesting souvenir, you don’t have to buy expensive materials. Plastic cups are suitable for many funny figures. These can be fairy tale characters or pets.
Cups are also used for garlands, balls, and flower arrangements. They can be combined with natural materials, plasticine, paper, etc.
Crafts made from plastic glasses can be large and small in size. An amazing snowman made from many simple details will decorate your New Year's interior. It will glow in the dark if you put a lamp inside.
Adults and children will enjoy this decoration during the holidays.
The principle of working with polymer clay
Externally, the material may remind you of plasticine. The only difference between it and plasticine is the plasticizer that is included in its composition. Because of this component, it is not recommended for children to use this material. During the baking process, the plasticizer completely evaporates, and the craft itself becomes hard and durable.
The hardness of the finished material is achieved using:
- baking;
- cooking
It is very important to maintain the correct temperature during baking. It varies from 110 to 130 degrees. Only if the temperature is selected correctly will the product acquire the desired appearance and density.
If the temperature maintained is incorrect, modeling with polymer clay will bring an unsuccessful result. The craft will darken and begin to crumble.
There is an even simpler material for modeling - light plasticine
Christmas gifts
Christmas wreaths are made from plastic bottles, spruce branches with cones. This material is used for bells and Christmas tree decorations.
Funny Santa Claus will be an excellent New Year's craft made from plastic. To do this, you will need to cover the bottom of the bottle with a red compound.
Instead of a belt, colored adhesive tape is attached to the figure. Hair and beard are made from cotton wool. Santa Claus should have a red hat or cap on his head.
All that remains is to glue the eyes or draw them yourself. The nose will be a pink ball. You should add some blush to your cheeks, because the character spent a long time visiting in the cold.
How to make swan figures
Beautiful white swans will become a real decoration of the site. An unnecessary plastic basin installed upside down is suitable as a frame base. The neck is made of intertwined metal wires, bent in the shape of the letter S. The wire is attached to the basin by drilling a hole in it.
The basin is coated with cement; rags and pieces of foam plastic are used to form the necessary bends. Form wings and tail. The wire for the neck is wrapped with rags soaked in cement, and cement is gradually applied on top, in thin layers, forming a neck of the required thickness and a head.
Decorative adjustments are made on the wings and tail, imitating plumage using scraping. The eyes and beak are outlined on the head. Leave the swan to dry for at least a week. After this, the product is sanded, primed, and painted.
Plastic figures
Amazing garden animals are made from ordinary plastic. You just need to be patient and do all the work carefully.
All parts are cut strictly according to the template and then assembled into the product. The plastic is painted in the desired color or left transparent if the craft requires it.
A funny family of frogs, a wolf and a hare, Kesha the parrot and other funny characters from fairy tales and cartoons may appear in the garden.
Thin plastic for crafts will help you create flower pots with an original design. The simple material is used to create boxes for gift wrapping and pencil holders.
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Choosing tools for work
Before sculpting from polymer clay, you need to prepare a set of special tools. Of course, if you are working for the first time, you can make do with improvised means.
But, if you plan to use clay as the main material for needlework, prepare the following tools:
- Working surface. It is better to work on ceramic stands. They can be used for both modeling and baking. Modeling from polymer clay is recommended for beginners on glass. Yes, the material is hard, but baking on it is a bad decision. The glass may crack. During your first lessons, you can use regular office paper.
- Knife or scalpel. If you have watched how polymer clay is sculpted at various master classes, you may have noticed a special knife. This is a tool with a bendable blade. For the first work, you can use a regular stationery knife, and for small parts, use a blade.
- Wooden toothpicks. It is impossible to do without them. With their help, small holes are made, miniature parts are rolled out, bends are given, and small elements are connected. Temporarily replace toothpicks, maybe a regular small needle.
- Rolling pins. Here we will talk about special rolling pins that help roll out clay or combine several colors. Special rolling pins are sold. If it is not possible to purchase them for initial work, replace them with cylindrical glass or metal objects. It is not recommended to use wooden rolling pins. The material will begin to stick to them. Ideal if you have a pasta machine. This will help not only roll out the products in a thin layer, but also save time.
Pasta making machine - Special molds. They make it possible to cut out figures.
In the process of creating crafts, you can use structured surfaces (buttons, coins, brushes). The list can be supplemented with sparkles and varnishes.
Vase made of plastic and threads
The work uses threads, a needle, a plastic bottle and thick yarn. The vase will need the bottom of the container, so the top should be cut off. The sides need to be cut into vertical strips. There must be an even number of them.
This plastic craft is suitable for school. You can bring it for an exhibition where handmade items will be displayed.
A thread is tied to the bottom of any strip on the workpiece. Then weaving begins. The work is completed when all sides of the vessel are covered with yarn.
Then you need to take a strip of fabric to sew it to the edge of the vase. The product looks interesting with yarn of different colors.
Option I
- Step 1. Take a clean bottle with a capacity of 1.5, 2 liters. Use a marker to mark where the cuts will be made. Divide the container into 2 parts lengthwise and crosswise, marking one quarter near the bottom.
- Step 2. Cut out the marked quarter of the package. Using scissors or a utility knife, carefully make slits and completely remove part of the plastic.
- Step 3. Make small holes near the bottom and neck to attach the rope. Thread the twine and fasten securely.
- Step 4. Fill the feeder with food: grain, cereals, bread crumbs and hang it on a tree. Make sure that the product is installed without distortions.
Tip: You can use open pallets instead of plastic bottles. Small holes are made along the edges, a rope is attached and hung on the street.
Multi-colored ladybugs
Even first grade students can make the products. To do this, the bottom of a plastic bottle is painted in any color you like. It is also necessary to draw black spots on the blanks.
Children's crafts made from plastic amaze with their simplicity and beauty. You can make a ladybug's head from half a Kinder Surprise container.
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The part is painted black and attached to the body. The antennae are made of wire or plasticine.
Decor for country interior
In addition to garden decor, a plastic bottle is good for creating an extravagant interior design for a country house. Bright panels for walls and furniture, partitions and screens, even curtains - you can easily make all this yourself from PVC containers. Such home decorations look quite distinctive and original, at least you will not see anything similar from anyone else. By putting your soul into decorating a country house, you will enjoy both the creative process and the results of your imagination combined with skill.
By cutting the bottoms of transparent plastic bottles and connecting them with thin wire, you will get air screens to divide the space of a country house
The rainbow curtain for the front door is made from ordinary bottle caps and looks very original
Plastic bottle caps will help you paint the interior of your country house in all shades of the rainbow.
Frog
You can create an interesting container if you take the two lower parts of a green plastic bottle. They are connected by red lightning.
This box is convenient for storing small items. If you glue large eyes with long eyelashes to it, you will get a cute green frog. And the red lightning will serve as the figure’s mouth.
Complete the fairy-tale character with a bright bow or flower. You can make a fashionable hat and attach it to one of the halves of the container.
Option II
- Step 1. Take a 1-1.5 liter empty container from under the water. Mark 5 cm down from the neck, where the bottle begins to expand, and draw a circular line.
- Step 2. Cut off the neck.
- Step 3. Take a large container and cut off a neck 10 cm high. You should get two pieces.
- Step 4. Install the bottle using a wire against the tree with the hole down. Place the cut neck at the bottom of the bottle, leaving a 1-2 cm gap, and securely fix it. In container.
This design can be used as a feeder and drinker. Pour food and water into the container and place it in place. The grain will gradually spill down into the second part of the structure, leaving access for the birds.
Matryoshka dolls
Bright and ruddy girls in elegant sundresses will decorate the garden or veranda. For crafts, it is enough to be able to draw.
It is also necessary to select containers of different sizes, but of the same shape. Such amazing figures will definitely interest guests and household members.
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Mushrooms
Wonderful fly agarics will cheerfully nod their caps in the wind. A plastic bottle is cut into two parts. The bottom element will serve as a cute hat. The top of the bottle will become the stem.
The hat is decorated with red paint, and the characteristic white spots are not forgotten. You can use other colors to get fun shapes.
Plastic flowers and animals may appear next to the mushrooms. It all depends on the ideas of the owners and their imagination.
