Archive for February, 2010
Congratulations to Nyloncraft
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Congratulations to Indiana-based injection molder Nyloncraft Inc., which was named Business of the Year by the Mishawaka Business Association. Nyloncraft is an injection molder in the plastics business, according to an MBA news release. The company was found in Mishawaka...
Can makers’ BPA problem
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Polycarbonate packaging has received most of the attention related to bisphenol A safety. But a story from The Washington Post today puts the spotlight on metal can manufacturers. While plastics processors have alternatives to polycarbonate that they can use to...
A change of Heart by Mylene Hillam of Milllanestudios
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Enjoy today's post by Mylene Hillam:
Be sure to check out all of Mylene's creative artwork featuring Friendly Plastic along with another of her specialties - RESIN! visit her blog: www.milllanestudio.blogspot.com
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
They say it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. It's something I do often when I'm designing a project. I have an idea, I start to put it together and then another idea comes into my head and I change my mind. It's a great way to explore new possibilities.
Take this necklace for instance. When I first had the idea to incorporate the two silver hearts into the design, I was going to hang the small and medium hearts below the Friendly Plastic heart..... and I was quite pleased with the way it looked.
But then, just as I began to assemble the pieces, it happened - I changed my mind! A different idea popped into my head: What if I changed the order of the hearts? What if I placed the smallest heart at the top of the design and the largest heart at the bottom?
I like how that looks even better! Rearranging the hearts has completely changed the balance of the piece. And it's unexpected - you expect the design to taper at the bottom of the pendant - but reversing the order has made the piece much more interesting.
Isn't it wonderful to be a woman just so you can change your mind?
Take this necklace for instance. When I first had the idea to incorporate the two silver hearts into the design, I was going to hang the small and medium hearts below the Friendly Plastic heart..... and I was quite pleased with the way it looked.
But then, just as I began to assemble the pieces, it happened - I changed my mind! A different idea popped into my head: What if I changed the order of the hearts? What if I placed the smallest heart at the top of the design and the largest heart at the bottom?
I like how that looks even better! Rearranging the hearts has completely changed the balance of the piece. And it's unexpected - you expect the design to taper at the bottom of the pendant - but reversing the order has made the piece much more interesting.Isn't it wonderful to be a woman just so you can change your mind?
Be sure to check out all of Mylene's creative artwork featuring Friendly Plastic along with another of her specialties - RESIN! visit her blog: www.milllanestudio.blogspot.com
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
Become our Fan on FACEBOOK!!
Friendly Plastic at the NEC STITCHES SHOW – by JOZART
Monday, February 22nd, 2010Stitches is the British version of the CHA Show held each year in Birminham England. Although it's not the size of CHA, it doesnt lack for talent, demo's or creative inspiration. Personally, I think this show is much easier to manage and alot more up close and personal. I thought you might enjoy these show highlights from Jozart - one of the attendee's:
The highlight for me was the superb demonstration by Liz Welch who is so expert at Friendly Plastic techniques and I am thrilled that I will be taking a full workshop with her later in the year. She spent so much time giving us ideas, hints and tips and made Caz and I beautiful pieces to keep.
I also enjoyed Fran Seiford's workshop Painting with Powder which I know I will try again.
Down to earth now after a really colourful magic day.
Liz Welch, some of her samples made today and the lovely brooch she generously gave to me.
Fran Seiford from USA demming her Painting with Powder TechniqueCaz with the shoe cards we made on the Woodware stand. My effort at the front. 
Tim Holtz made me a Grunge Paper Rose for my beret
Tim Holtz made me a Grunge Paper Rose for my beret
Claudine demonstrated her sticky back canvas techniques
Suze Weinberg's UTEE dem
The bargain hotel, not bad eh? The Chase Coventry, about 15 mins from the NEC
Be sure and visit JOZART's blog for more creative inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
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FRIENDLY PLASTIC PELLETS – Top 10 Uses!
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
FRIENDLY PLASTIC® PELLETS – TOP TEN USES
- Friendly Plastic® in pellet form takes on delicate impressions when used in a mold. Silicone based and flexible molds work the best. Use a release agent for other types of molds.
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be colored using a variety of mediums such as; alcohol based inks, acrylic paint, glitter, mica powders, embossing powders and Rub-N-Buff®. Custom blend your own colors!
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be painted after cooling with acrylic paint. Apply a coat of clear sealer to protect painted design.
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be used to create sculptures. Use a heat gun to spot heat specific areas when attaching pieces together or to create a smooth surface for painting later.
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be rolled thru a pasta machine when heated using the water method.
- Emboss them! Place a water softened Friendly Plastic® pellets thru the pasta machine on a #2 (thin) setting. Allow to cool. Afterwards, place the sheet into an embossing folder and run back thru pasta machine on a #6 (thicker) setting. Remove from folder to reveal texture. Apply colors to highlight as desired.
- Friendly Plastic® pellets create wonderful base beads. Use one of the coloring techniques to create fabulous marbled beads or create your own base bead shapes; allow them to cool and paint with desired pattern
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be used in conjunction with Amaco’s bead rollers
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be recycled and reused for other projects – no waste!
- Friendly Plastic® pellets can be die cut using Sizzix™ dies. Create a thin sheet of Friendly Plastic® by softening them in hot water and rolling thru the pasta machine on a #2 setting. Thin sheets can also be cut with a Cricut® machine using a deep cutting blade
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
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DONT MISS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TOOL!
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Get in on the Great Crafters Tool Hunt sponsored by When Creativity Knocks and vote for your favorite.
Lots of amazing tools to see! I featured the pasta machine with Cloud Clay
- a brand new airdry clay from AMACO. So check it out. Voting ends tomorrow night at midnight. Don't miss your chance to win some great prize packages!
"When Creativity Knocks".....make ART!
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
Lots of amazing tools to see! I featured the pasta machine with Cloud Clay
- a brand new airdry clay from AMACO. So check it out. Voting ends tomorrow night at midnight. Don't miss your chance to win some great prize packages!
"When Creativity Knocks".....make ART!
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
Become our Fan on FACEBOOK!!
Is the bottled water market declining?
Friday, February 19th, 2010
What's the state of the bottled water market? A year ago, we reported that the economy and environmental pressure were putting pressure on the bottled water sector, and the days of double-digit annual growth was over. Further proof of the...
McCormick exhibitors want lower costs
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Chicago continues to debate how to stop an exodus of trade shows from McCormick Place. This week they got a dose of common sense in a meeting with show organizers. Exhibitors want lower costs and more flexible work rules so...
FRIENDLY PLASTIC ON COOL2CRAFT – MARCH 1ST
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Join me "LIVE" for "Fun with Friendly Plastic". We will be creating a rubberstamped pendant similar to the earrings below.
Gold metallic Friendly Plastic strip (this could also be matte gold)
Lumiere paints in colors of choice: We will be using Blues, Greens...
ArtEmboss Copper Medium - or if you have a heavy weight copper sheet - cut it into the desired rectangle/square of choice
24 gauge gold wire
Sophisticated finishes - patina
Double Stick tape
Hammer and Anvil
Dragonfly charm (optional)
Bead of choice (optional)
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL THE INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE AT www.cool2craft.com for timing in your area. Cool2Craft
Can't wait to see you there!
Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.
Become our Fan on FACEBOOK!!
New no-cleanup cooking concept
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
AB Electrolux has an interesting looking new concept for a cooking appliance called "Heart Of The Home." The cooker doesn't use pots and pans -- the surface is soft, and the user just presses down to create a hole, drops...