Valentines' Day Necklace

It’s been awhile since I put a craft up here. I’ve been busy getting ready for a little art show. But Valentines’ Day is coming and I thought it would be fun to whip up a necklace in celebration.
 

Materials:

Clean dry water or milk carton jug
3 (or more) small jump rings and 1 larger jump ring (I used a 10mm)

Necklace chain

Sharpie marker

Small hole punch (1/4th or 1/8th inch)

Nail polish remover (not pictured)

Cut a piece of plastic from the milk jug.
Trace a heart onto the plastic with the Sharpie marker and cut the heart shape.

Use the nail polish remover to remove the marker.
 
Punch a hole in one side and add a small jump ring.
Repeat with as many hearts as you want- I made 3 hearts; one each for my husband, my son and my dog.

Just a word about jump rings- it's best to twist the opening ends away from each other- not pull them apart. You can do this with your fingers or pliers.
Then twist them back together.

Add all the hearts to the larger jump ring and you're done!

Easter Egg Garland

This year’s Easter garland is brought to you by recycled milk and water jugs. I really liked working with the milk container plastic at Christmas and decided to use it for this project. It’s easy to cut, translucent and uses something we already have.

Materials:

• Water, milk or juice jug
• Washi tape
• Oval template (or you can use a punch if you have one)
• Marker
• Scissors
• Thick needle with a sharp point
• Cord (not twisted string)

1. Cut the panels from a container- clean any packaging off (oil and baking soda or Goo Gone).
2. Trace the oval onto the plastic and cut the shape out (or use the punch).
3. Add washi tape strips to the oval.
4. Pre-pierce 2 holes near the top of the "egg" with a thick sharp needle.
5. Then add the cord through the holes (yes, pierce first then string).

The cord (left) doesn't unravel like string (right).

You could also string the eggs individually to hang on a tree or in a window.

Milk Jug Snow Star Ornaments

A long time ago I worked for a wonderful art director who made a stunning skirt from milk jug panels cut into circles. Ever since then I've looked at milk jugs differently. Today's ornament was inspired in part by that distant memory and a chance encounter with a really cool clock while shopping for Christmas presents and I was inspired to make these snow stars.

Materials:
Template (Click on link)
Empty clean plastic milk jug
Push Pin
Adhesive jewels
Thin marker
Scissors



Optional: nail polish remover to remove marker lines if necessary

Print and cut the template out.
Cut the top section off the jug.
Cut the handle off the jug.

Cut the 4 panels off the container.
Dry the panels if they're wet.

Trace around the template onto a panel with a fine point marker.

Cut the snow stars out with scissors.
Clean the marker off with water and paper towels (or if it's more stubborn use nail polish remover).

Use a push pin to make a hole in one of the snow star's arms.

Decorate with jewels and hang your beautiful creation!