Archive for the ‘Beginner Friendly Plastic’ Category

What kinds of sealers should I use on Friendly Plastic – FAQ

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011


One of the questions I am asked most frequently is "Do you need to seal Friendly Plastic".  And the answer is "probably". 

Although you do not need to seal Friendly Plastic to make it waterproof, it is recommended that you seal the surface of the Friendly Plastic to protect the foils from tarnishing or scratching.

Now - I know you're asking "What kind of sealer should I use on Friendly Plastic"?  Great question!  There are a variety of sealers out on the market today and the good thing is that just about anything will work. 
I have sealed Friendly Plastic with Mod Podge(R) to provide a protective layer between a stamped image and alcohol ink that Im about to apply.  I've also used Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents and clear fingernail polish all with good results.

To get the glass like finish that you see on Friendly Plastic, the best sealer is a 2 part resin called Envirotex Light.  It can be found at most craft and hobby stores.  Locally my Ace Hardware carries it.  It takes 24 hours for it to cure, but the finish is beyond compare and it helps to prevent your Friendly Plastic from melting and distorting if it ever comes in contact with heat.

As with using any chemical product, be sure to check the label for any precautions and use in well ventilated areas if directed to do so. 



Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Friendly Plastic featured on Cool2Craft Monday October 25

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

 Join Linda Peterson on Monday October 25th at 12 noon Eastern time - (11am central and 5pm in the UK) to learn how to create a dichroic effect in Friendly Plastic using some materials she brought back from England!!!  Such a fun technique inspired by Liz Welch. 

See you then!!!

To see the show live visit  linqto.com/rooms/cool2craft about 30 minutes and take part in the pre-show chat.



Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

New Friendly Plastic TV Episode – ArtEmboss and Friendly Plastic Geometric Earrngs

Saturday, August 28th, 2010
As many of you know...Im deep in the middle of writing my next book on Metal Work jewelry.  But, I just can't seem to keep my hands out of the Friendly Plastic!
 In this episode I combine ArtEmboss Light brass with Friendly Plastic designer sticks in the Swirl Pattern to create a pair of very trendy geometric earrings.  They even SPIN!!! How fun is that?



If you are new to Friendly Plastic and what to give it a whirl, CrafTECH University offers classes to get you acquainted with this wonderful exciting medium.  Take one of our online LIVE and interactive classes or choose one of our on-demand classes.  It's your choice and it's creating on YOUR schedule not mine.

Join Tiffany Windsor of Cool2Craft and myself at the Creative Connection Event on September 17th.  We'll be broadcasting from the event live and bring you live Friendly Plastic demo's as well as other fabulous demonstrations from the industries hottest Designers and manufacturers....so set your calendars...

Okay ya'lll....get off the computer and go make some Friendly Plastic Jewelry!!!!!!!

Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Entangled in zentangle

Friday, June 4th, 2010
A few months back I posted an article about Zentangle.  It truely is for everyone and anyone can do it and make great art!

It is an artform that is becoming increasingly popular and is spreading into international waters too!

Australian artist Mylene Hillam shares her rendition of zentangle in this beautifully designed necklace.



I think this is simply stunning - don't you?  To see more of this story and get more inspiration visit Mylene's blog at http://www.milllanestudio.blogspot.com/

Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Finding a new love….. Friendly Plastic

Sunday, May 30th, 2010
Kelly over at Knitting and Things blog discovered a new love - check out her story:


I love finding new things to create with used items. Bottle caps are my new obsession and I have a few items I have been making with them. First is my Bottle Cap Pendant using Friendly Plastic. I was lucky enough to get some samples of Friendly Plastic from Linda Peterson. I have used it on a few projects previously and I really love the way it works with the bottle caps.






First, I tool 2 used bottle caps and washed them with warm soapy water and dried them well.








Then I hammered one out until it was flat and took pliers to the other one and bent out the sides.






I then took the bottle caps, laid them on a piece of wood and hammered a nail through the top. I will use this later to attach a jump ring.






On a heat proof surface I cut pieces of the Friendly Plastic in different shapes and colors.






I arranged a few pieces on the bottle cap and used my heat gun to heat them for 3 minutes. I continued to add more pieces and melted until I was happy with the colors and pattern.


I let it cool for 4-5 minutes, then I wet my finger and lightly pushed and blended the colors to my liking and made sure that everything was flat.


I let it cool for another 10 minutes and added Glossy Accents to give it a great gloss. I poked my nail through the hole again just to keep it open. I let it dry overnight and then I added a ribbon with some beads to finish it.



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It’s Cool2Craft Monday – Basic Jewelry Techniques

Monday, May 3rd, 2010
I get more an more excited when I see all the great things that are happening online with the world of crafting. I sooo miss the days of craft tv...I miss Carol Duvall (personally AND the SHOW!)...I miss Aleene's Creative Living, my aunt June was a guest on Aleene's show...I miss everything about the way that Craft TV inspired all of us.


Well...a bunch of us designers have gotten together and said...enuf is enuf! We took it into our own hands and while it is taking a bit of hard work to launch we are seeing the fruits of our labors.


Im on each Monday with exception of a few - on COOL2Craft Live hosted by Aleene's daughter Tiffany Windsor. She's on a quest to gather together 1 MILLION viewers who think it's cool 2 craft! I know she can do it.




Today I featured Jewelry basics and my latest book - Beading in No Time.

Gotta get back to those basics.....as boring as we all may think they are...you can never practice them to much or ever stray away from them because everthing in life will fall apart if you do!

While this isn't Friendly Plastic specific....it relates.  Why? because if you dont know how to put your Friendly Plastic pieces together to make jewelry...all you have is a bunch of Friendly Plastic pieces.....

As soon as the archived link is available I will post it. You can go to www.cool2craft.com to watch any of the shows.

I also talked about my latest venture...which is SOOO COOL! LIVE INTERACTIVE WEB CLASSES.  This allows you to take classes from the industries BEST TOP designers right from your own home.  Saves you money...saves us time...We get to meet and talk with you....and you talk back to us....We're all happy - Life is good.

More information click here:  http://www.craftechuniversity.com/




Next big question...where to buy Friendly Plasic...well...FRIENDLY PLASTIC MARKETPLACE!  will solve that problem

If you wanna win free stuff...like Friendly Plastic...well just join us on Cool2Craft!  (HINT HINT - I have a big giveaway on May 17th - Fun with Friendly Plastic segment!)


Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

COOL2CRAFT Live with Friendly Plastic – Springtime Drop earrings

Friday, April 23rd, 2010


DONT MISS THE NEXT LIVE DEMO!!,   ITS FUN, FREE AND FRIENDLY!! Learn how to create these EASY Spring Fling Drop earrings using alcohol inks and Friendly Plastic! 


So many exciting things are happening in the Friendly Plastic world! COMING SOON! LIVE INTERACTIVE FRIENDLY PLASTIC CLASSES in MAY - more details to be announced.

And a new FRIENDLY PLASTIC ADDICTS CLUB! A $61 value for only $30 - CLICK HERE for details

SEE YOU ON MONDAY!


Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Friendly Plastic by Linda Sechler

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

 This is Linda's first try at Friendly Plastic and I believe she did very well!  Love the glitzy!!!!  Great Job Linda and thank you for sharing your work with the world!



Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Let’s end National Craft Month with a giveaway!!! FREE FRIENDLY PLASTIC

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
What a way to end National Craft Month with a Friendly Plastic giveaway huh???

This one is easy peasy.....simply send me a photo of any of your Friendly Plastic artwork!  I'll pick a winner and a runner up to receive a sample pack of Friendly Plastic!  It's so easy!!! You don't have to run out and create anything - unless you want to...just send me a photo! 

Hurry contest ends March 31st! 

email:  lindapetersondesigns@yahoo.com




Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

Advanced Photography Tips in Friendly Plastic

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Yesterday, I gave some basic photography tips to get you started.  If you simply want to share photos with family and friends, then the basics are all you will need.    However, if you want sell your work, such as on etsy, consider implicating these more advanced tips.

Why?  Because a picture is worth a thousand words.  Pictures can express feeling and emotion and they can create an impulse to buy...or a emotion of "I just gotta have that!"

So, with that thought in mind here is some more advanced tips.

Use diffusers to create soft light.  You can do this by placing a white shower curtain over a brightly lit window.  Or you can purchase a photography studio box for about $40 to $50.  These boxes have fabric on each side for you to diffuse light through.  This lessens harsh and undesirable shadows.

Avoid using a flash as this creates harsh shadows.

Play with the more advanced exposure settings on your camera.  If you find yourself in a low lit area, instead of turning on lights, which can effect the white balance, try increasing the "exposure" setting on your camera by a notch or two.  Take a test photo to see if the lighting is adequate.

Use a mirror to bounce light underneath objects to highlight the bottom or take away harsh shadows.  For a softer look, use white card stock to bounce light around and add a little highlight to certain areas.

Styling your jewelry or projects can really upscale their value.  For ideas on how to style your jewelry, look at jewelry or fashion magazines for ideas.  You don't need to spend a fortune on props.  Have a look around the house and get a little creative with your imagination.  Perhaps you have a vase that you can dangle some earrings from?  Or a nice simple wine glass?  Sand?  Rocks? and believe it or not, rice and black beans are great options too!.

Of course, this tip list is NOT exhaustive...there's so much more I could share.  But these are a little more advanced to get you started.  

Let's put those tips into practice.


Here Shari Wallace of WolfCreek Designs on etsy uses sand to stylize her photograph.  She's displayed the bracelet on a rock, which adds a nice effect without being overpowering.


 Jana Ewy of Just Bananas always does a great job of stylizing her artwork in her photos.  Here's she's used some inexpensive pebbles to add an organic touch. 

Notice that neither of these photos have harsh shadows and both are in clear focus.

I believe if you put these few tips into practice, you'll really make your artwork shine!!!



Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.