Ingredients
- Pipe cleaners
- Borax
- Water
- A heat-safe container
- A spoon for stirring
- A heat source, such as a stove or microwave
- String for hanging the shapes
Instructions
- Shape the pipe cleaners. Bend them into your chosen forms, such as a star or heart. Attach a piece of string to each shape so it can hang in the container.
- Prepare the solution. Heat the water in a heat-safe container until it boils. Add borax and stir until it dissolves. Handle the hot container carefully.
- Let it cool slightly. Allow the solution to cool a little before adding the shapes. Keep it hot, but avoid handling it while it is dangerously hot.
- Submerge the shapes. Lower the pipe cleaner forms into the solution. Hang them from the string so they remain submerged without touching the bottom or sides of the container.
- Leave them overnight. Set the container somewhere stable where it won’t be disturbed. Leave the shapes in the solution while crystals grow.
- Remove and dry. The next day, lift out the pipe cleaners carefully and let them dry completely before displaying them.
Notes
These are crystal-coated pipe cleaner decorations, not washable crochet items. Avoid water, which can damage the crystals. Use a soft, dry brush to remove dust, and store the pieces in a dry, padded place.
