Trashy Beach Art

I was walking along the beach at Presque Isle State Park with my husband and I couldn't help but notice all the bits of trash (mind you there a far number of large pieces as well). Cigar tip, drink cap, straw, red chip of plastic, yellow chip of plastic, etc. I couldn't help but think to myself that I could spend all day picking up every bit of trash in one area but the next day there would be just as much as before. I'm not saying that people do nothing but litter on Presque Isle, however I'm not so sure people realise that when "bits" of trash get into out water ways they don't just go way. Oh, and I'm positive the trash washing up on Presque Isle isn't just from Erie, PA...



Anyway, I had this thought - I'm gonna pick up these bits of trash and make something out of them...yeah...that's right make something cool, something people will look at and think, "wow, it's made of bits of trash, but it's pretty". So I collected an entire bag FULL of beach trash, lugged it home, and washed it up. I guess we'll see what happens next.

Homemade Shrinky-dinks

Shrinky-dinks, I remember them as a kid. I'm pretty sure my brother and I only them once, but I remember coloring a little smurf, cutting it out and placing it on a cookie try and my mom putting it in our oven. And then, just like magic, I has a tiny little smurf!

Over the winter I was putting together an eco art/recycle art guide when I happened upon homemade shrinky-dinks. I'm pretty sure everyone in the office heard my little gasp of excitement and giggle as I thought about getting my hands on some #6 plastic and a toaster oven. My co-worker brought in a toaster oven and I pulled some #6 plastic out of the recycling bins, and for a day or two you could hear little "dings" coming from my cube as I tired shrinking different plastic. I found was that not all # 6 plastic is created equal. Some types shrink up real tiny and cute, others barely shrink at all, and some curl up into a little wad. Colored #6 was the worst. But, what fun! Why buy shrinky-dink paper at $3.00 a sheet when you can use a #6 plastic take out box?!?!

before shrinking and after shrinking.

Needs: clear #6 plastic, permanent markers, scissors, aluminum foil or metal tray, shrinky-dink machine (aka—oven or toaster oven), hole punch

Instructions

1. Cut your #6 plastic into the shape that you want your creation to be; however keep in mind that this shape should be BIG, as it will shrink up to about a third of the size you started with.

2. Color on your plastic with permanent markers.

3. Punch a hole in your plastic if you would like to put it on a necklace or keychain. Again, keep in mind that the hole will shrink with the rest of the plastic

4. Set shrinky-dink machine to 150-250 F depending on your oven or toaster oven.

5. Place plastic into SD machine and watch! The plastic will move and curl, but you know it is done when it stops moving and is flat. **If your machine is too hot then your plastic will curl into itself and will get stuck together. ***Also, you do not have to shrink your plastic to it's smallest form. Try experimenting with taking your plastic out at different times.

6. Take your plastic out of SD machine and let cool.

7. Show everyone your awesome shrinky-dink creation!

Kenojuak Ashevak

I was looking up pictures of beavers for an environmental education program and I happened to find a few Inuit drawings of beavers, and I couldn't help but look for more of these breathtaking drawings. I remember my first exposure of this style of art being from a calendar, with drawings by Kenojuak Ashevak, that a friend bought my husband and I as a wedding present.

Kenojuak Ashevak, born in 1927 on Baffin Island in Northern Canada, is known as the queen of modern Inuit art. She is famous for her drawings and soapstone sculptures, which she started doing in the 1950's. Ashevak was also one of the first female Inuit artists whose work as sought after by collectors around the world.

I hope you enjoy the small sampling of her work!

How Many Animals Do You See?