cut the sheets in 2 equal semicircles
31. October 2016

I made a Plastic Bag-honeycomb ball!

Here you can see step by step how to do a honeycomb-ball made out of plastic bags. Honeycombs balls are usually made out of paper and there are a lot of really good tutorials out there:

Once you know more or less how to do it with papel, you can try to do one with plastic bags!

*IMPORTANT: this project is about upcycling: using discarded/used materials to make something that has (at least for you) a higher emotional value. Also, in this process there is not a huge amount of energy involved (like with down- and recycling) just you and your crafts powers 🙂 If you don’t have enough plastic bags be patient and wait to have more or if not collect them from friends, neighbors, family, stores, trash bins etc.

STEPS:

materials: you need a good collection of plastic bags, select your favorite colors. We need 40 to 60 sheets. Small leftovers can also be used when melted together.
materials: you need a good collection of plastic bags, select your favorite colors. We need 40 to 60 sheets. Small leftovers can also be used when melted together.
Cut the cardboard into 2 round semicircles, fold the sheets inside them and cut the plastic sheets with scissors
Cut the cardboard into 2 round semicircles, fold the sheets inside them and cut the plastic sheets with scissors
I had 60 Sheets of plastic.
I had 60 Sheets of plastic.

cut the sheets in 2 equal semicircles
cut the sheets in 2 equal semicircles
I created a guide. Follow Step 3.1. of this tutorial: .../how-to-make-glittery-honeycomb-balls-for-christmas--craft-16450
I created a guide. Follow Step 3.1. of this tutorial: …/how-to-make-glittery-honeycomb-balls-for-christmas–craft-16450
Then start putting the first two plastic layers to weld them together
Then start putting the first two plastic layers to weld them together

Start welding. The tip of the welding device shouldnt be too sharp or pointy, like this the welding lines are thicker and stronger
Start welding. The tip of the welding device shouldnt be too sharp or pointy, like this the welding lines are thicker and stronger
Help yourself with a ruler.
Help yourself with a ruler.
two sheets are now welded together
two sheets are now welded together

IMPORTANT!: from now on, to protect the first layers from being welded through the wrong lines, we have to put some separation sheets (here metal, wood could work too but is often too thick).
IMPORTANT!: from now on, to protect the first layers from being welded through the wrong lines, we have to put some separation sheets (here metal, wood could work too but is often too thick).
Once you have all the sheets together you can take them away from the grid and glue the gray semicircle cardboard, I did it with the hotgun and didnt take away the metal sheets! Like this you don't melt any other plastic sheet unterneath
Once you have all the sheets together you can take them away from the grid and glue the gray semicircle cardboard, I did it with the hotgun and didnt take away the metal sheets! Like this you don’t melt any other plastic sheet unterneath

almost ready!
almost ready!
Check if all juntures are strong and if everything is ok. Then put the thread to be able to hung the ball
Check if all juntures are strong and if everything is ok. Then put the thread to be able to hung the ball
Honeycomb ball is ready!
Honeycomb ball is ready!