Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Tyvek, a pseudo tutorial

I've been working on a new project which includes the use of Tyvek.  Instead of taking photos along the way, I completely forgot, something I seldom do.  That's why I'm calling this a pseudo tutorial.

This isn't the first time I've played with Tyvek.  I've painted it, ironed it to itself, ironed it to plastic bags, and used it in my altered books for strength.  However, I have not sprayed my handmade shimmering mists on it before.  This is all that is left of an entire used Tyvek envelope.  Please note this one is quite old, because newer ones you get from the post office have writing on the inside.

I like the way the shimmering mist soaks into the Tyvek, but you will need to play a waiting game and allow the piece to dry without blotting. 

When I blotted, I lost much of the color.  I cut circles from the dried Tyvek

and glued pieces together. 

When the glue was dry, I used my heat tool (some call it a heat gun) to alter the circles, turning them into flowers.  There was no shrinkage wherever the glue was applied (I used Elmer's PVA, but their school glue would work, as would any good PVA glue).

If you are looking for perfection, find a different medium.  It you like surprises and uniqueness, this is something you will probably enjoy.  Now I'm off to apply heat to the remainder of these flowers.  Thanks for looking.

14 thoughtful remarks:

Anonymous said...

So adorable. I tried the tyvek thing and I have to say, it just didn't do it for me. But, it does work great for sucking up inks and paint and making waterproof things. Thanks for sharing. xox

Denise Price said...

Well personally I love imperfection. It's so charming, don't you think?

I hope this question doesn't seem weird, but does the Tyvek smell bad when you heat it up? Fear of a burning plastic smell is the one thing holding me back from playing with Tyvek.

froebelsternchen said...

This Tyvek flowers turned out absolutely beautiful Elizabeth.. fabulous!Curious in what way you will use them...
I always want to play with that stuff ever since I read about it in an quilters art magazine 10 years ago and also I read about in the great book
Surface treatment... but didn't try anything with tyvek yet...
smells it strange when you heat it?
I did melt some plastic things in the past and all this stuff stinks enormously when get heated?
Would be interest if or if not?!

Have a great rest of the week!
xxx
Susi

Krisha said...

Love Tyvek for many things that need that extra strength. I never thought about melting it. I think these flowers turned out way cool!

Cindy McMath said...

Wow these flowers are great Eliabeth! Great that your shimmering mists dried eventually on these - how cool!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love your flowers! Saw someone using what I think may be similar but never tried myself and I love surprises so might have to give it a go! Chrisx

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Love how crinkly these came out. Very interesting technique!

~*~Patty S said...

Tyvek is something I have wanted to play with again E...
your layered flowers turned out great and are really inspiring...
thanks as always for sharing
oxo

Tammie Lee said...

lovely little rosettes

sounds like you had a good time exploring

Halle said...

Those are really fun!! I may have to try myself!

Darla said...

I think your flowers are filled with personality.

Darla

Dianne said...

That is a sweet poem-love it! and the flowers turned out awesome too...I like the texture of the scrunchiness!

Anonymous said...

I´ve seen so much Christmas things already, that I was very happy seeing this summer poem on your blog. It does feel like autumn here at the moment, but I want more summer! So thank you for that wonderful poem and collage.
Your Tyvek flowers look very unique to me, that is what I like.
Belated WOYWW
Gabriele 29

Eliza said...

I got a piece of tyvek a long time ago and still have. It used it, now I am thinking where in the blue blazes I actually put it, I really must give it a try. Beautiful flowers and I love the uniqueness of them.

Hugs Eliza