Bioplastic Suncatchers
Create beautiful, eco-friendly suncatchers using a simple bioplastic recipe. Perfect for sustainable crafting and a fun activity for all ages.
Ingredients
Bioplastic Base
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons glycerin Can be substituted with vegetable oil.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch Other starches like potato or tapioca can be used.
Additional Materials
- Food coloring (various colors) Customize colors by mixing different food dyes.
- Cookie cutters or molds For shaping the suncatchers.
- Parchment paper To pour the bioplastic mixture.
- A stovetop or microwave-safe bowl
- A spoon for stirring
Instructions
Preparation
- In a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, combine water, glycerin, and cornstarch.
- Stir the mixture until it is well combined and smooth; this is your bioplastic base.
Heating
- Place the saucepan over low heat on the stovetop or microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Stir occasionally until the mixture thickens, achieving a gooey, gel-like consistency.
Coloring
- Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool slightly before adding food coloring.
- Add drops of food coloring to achieve your desired color intensity and mix well.
Shaping
- Place parchment paper on a flat surface.
- Pour your colored bioplastic mixture onto the parchment to create shapes using cookie cutters or freehand designs.
Drying
- Let the suncatchers dry for at least 24 hours.
- Once dry, gently peel them off the parchment paper.
Final Touches
- Use a small hole punch if you’d like to hang them.
- You can also decorate with glitter or additional colors as desired.
Notes
Consider using scented glycerin for fragrant suncatchers. Enhance the design with glitter or metallic paint once dry. Experiment with shapes or layers for more depth.