Craft A Week #14: Pelier Bead Bowl

Another super simple kid craft!  Take Pelier beads (those little plastic beads that are used to melt onto a plastic frame) and melt in the oven to make a bowl.  Really, it's that simple. Here's more details:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Oil an oven safe bowl.
3. Dump a handful of Pelier beads in the bowl. Push them into the bowl so they are single layer and go up the sides of the bowl. Make sure you have large gaps filled.
4. Put the bowl on a cookie sheet and heat for 10 minutes.
5. Keep an eye on this so they don't burn. Once the beads start to spread and the center hole gets large, they are done.
6. Allow to cool (about 10 minutes).
7. Slide the melted plastic bowl out.
8. Wash the oil off the bowl with a little dishwash soap. Just do so carefully.

(See, told you it was super simple).  Here's what they looked like shortly after removing from oven:

See how they've expanded (melted)?

Here's the final product (after letting it cool and then sliding out of the bowl):

I don't think they were that spectacular but the kids liked them. They seem sturdy enough for things like change, keys, jewelry, etc. I just don't think they'd withstand alot of handling.  If I do again, I think I'd find a slightly smaller bowl to put inside the first one so the beads can be stacked up higher and have a more finished look.

Happy Crafting!