I remember doing much smaller projects using gum wrappers as a kid. The question I have is: How do you determine if a plastic food wrapper is the "correct" thickness to use for making a basket? It's like the problem when fusing plastic--each type of wrapper melts at a different temperature so you need to have a large quantity of one type(which brings up storage concerns while waiting to accumulate enough). How do you handle these issues?? What advise do you have for someone who wants to make a basket like yours? Thank You!!!
Thanks so much for your question! To check if the wrapper is flexible and strong, I fold it back and forth a few times-if it bends without tearing, it's good to use. Slight differences in thickness usually don’t affect the final basket much. For thinner wrappers, I layer them to make the material sturdier. I keep things organized by storing the wrappers flat. You can start by using wrappers commonly found at home and ask friends or family to help collect them, which speeds up the process and reduces storage time. It’s a good idea to start with a small basket to see how the material works before moving on to larger projects. Actually, I usually collect and weave as I go, so I rarely wait until I have enough wrappers to start. That’s why, when friends ask how many I need, I often can't give a clear answer.
I remember doing much smaller projects using gum wrappers as a kid. The question I have is: How do you determine if a plastic food wrapper is the "correct" thickness to use for making a basket? It's like the problem when fusing plastic--each type of wrapper melts at a different temperature so you need to have a large quantity of one type(which brings up storage concerns while waiting to accumulate enough). How do you handle these issues?? What advise do you have for someone who wants to make a basket like yours? Thank You!!!
Thanks so much for your question! To check if the wrapper is flexible and strong, I fold it back and forth a few times-if it bends without tearing, it's good to use. Slight differences in thickness usually don’t affect the final basket much. For thinner wrappers, I layer them to make the material sturdier. I keep things organized by storing the wrappers flat. You can start by using wrappers commonly found at home and ask friends or family to help collect them, which speeds up the process and reduces storage time. It’s a good idea to start with a small basket to see how the material works before moving on to larger projects. Actually, I usually collect and weave as I go, so I rarely wait until I have enough wrappers to start. That’s why, when friends ask how many I need, I often can't give a clear answer.