Throughout history, flowers have always been used to metaphorically describe beauty, and the custom of wearing flower hairpins has been prevalent in ancient Chinese cosmetics and adornments. According to different seasons and clothing colors, various matching flower hairpins were worn. These flowers not only included real flowers from nature but also those made from materials such as silk, jade, gemstones, and glass.
The characteristic of “heat shrink sheets” as a craft material can be used to create hairpin flowers with a jade-like texture. This article is a tutorial for making “imitation glass-textured hairpin flowers.” The finished product of these hairpin flowers has a texture similar to glass but is very light. You can design various flower shapes and choose your favorite colors, creating exquisite hairpin accessories through clever design.
Materials Needed
♔ Heat shrink sheets: The heat shrink sheets used in this tutorial are American Judikins transparent heat shrink sheets. (We cannot comment on the effects of other brands as they have not been tested.)
♔ Sandpaper: Using sponge sandpaper (grit 500-600) makes it easy to sand. Fine-grit wood sandpaper can also be used as an alternative. (Sandpaper is not shown in the picture.)
♔ Heat gun: The main tool for shrinking the sheets.
♔ Box: Any clean, heat-resistant box can be used. It's best to use a box that is tall and narrow to serve as a container.
♔ Cloth: Use 100% cotton cloth to avoid deformation under high temperatures, which could affect the operation. A smooth, fine-textured 100% cotton cloth is recommended.
♔ Molding tools: The wooden carving tools shown in the picture can be used. Other tools can also be used to press the desired shape.
♔ Watercolor pens: Only water-based pens should be used. Only water-based pens can spread the color thinly and evenly.
♔ Flat brush: Goat hair watercolor brush, available at general stationery stores.
♔ Aluminum wire: 2mm silver aluminum wire is used in this tutorial.
♔ Copper wire: Fine copper wire used for jewelry beads, 3.0 gauge (the finest gauge) is used in this tutorial. (Copper wire is not shown in the picture.)
✿ Thread: Silk embroidery thread is used in this tutorial. Other types of thread can also be used based on preference.
✿ Stamen: Special stamens for clay flowers, which are finer and more delicate.
✿ Pliers: Beading pliers, specifically cutters and needle-nose pliers, are needed for this tutorial.
✿ Adhesive: American Judikins Crystal Glue is used. This glue dries completely clear and effectively prevents fading.
✿ Fixative: Clover's transparent strong adhesive for jewelry (used sparingly in this tutorial, can be replaced by other adhesives).
The materials and tools listed in the tutorial are not all required; makers can adjust according to their actual needs.
Production Process
1. First, lightly sand one side of the transparent heat shrink sheet with sandpaper so that the pattern can be traced on the slightly rough surface.
2. Place the heat shrink sheet over the pattern and trace the shapes of the petals and leaves.
3. After tracing, punch out the holes for the copper wire before cutting out the shapes.
4. Cut out the shapes along the lines.
5. Clean up any remaining line marks on the edges of the cut-out heat shrink sheets, as these will be very visible after shrinking.
6. After cleaning the line marks, start sanding. Lightly sand the front to reduce the glossiness after shrinking, giving a semi-transparent effect; sand the back more heavily to help the color adhere better.
7. Rinse the heat shrink sheet thoroughly with water to remove all sanding dust, as any residue can affect the transparency of the coloring.
8. Color the dried heat shrink sheet using water-based pens (or markers), with the assistance of a soft flat brush.
9. Apply the color to the sanded heat shrink sheet using a watercolor pen. Don't worry about uneven or clumped color patches.
10. Use the flat brush to spread the color evenly in a circular motion.
11. Following the direction of the arrows in the picture, lightly brush the color from the base to the tip of the petal, creating a thin layer of color.
12. Finally, wipe off the color at the base of the petal. (Using your fingers is recommended for a natural gradient effect.) This treatment gives the petals a gradual color transition. Placing white paper underneath helps to see the coloring effect more clearly.
13. Start shrinking. If you're using it for the first time, it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the heat shrink sheet and heat gun by practicing with simple items.
14. Before using the heat gun, read the instructions carefully to avoid accidents. Place the heat shrink sheet in a clean metal box with some height, and use the heat gun to shrink it.
15. During the shrinking process, the heat shrink sheet will twist and deform significantly, but don't worry, just keep blowing…
16. Once the heat shrink sheet shrinks to a certain size and becomes more transparent, stop heating. Wait a few seconds for it to harden and set, then you can take it out for secondary heating and shaping.
17. To identify the colored side of the heat shrink sheet after shrinking: Hold the sheet up to the light and look at it from the side (thickness). The side with brighter and deeper colors is the colored side, which is the back of the petal or leaf.
18. Place the petals with the colored side facing down on a 100% cotton cloth, and use the heat gun to reheat and soften them. To prevent the petals from being blown away, gently press them down and position the heat gun at a 90-degree angle to the petals.
19. After the second heating and softening, quickly use the molding tool to press the petals into the desired concave shape before they harden. Be careful not to block the holes at the base of the petals. Lift the cloth to a height where you can clearly see the position before pressing.
20. The method for handling leaves is the same, pressing a vein groove into the front of the leaf.
Finally, use copper wire to bind the petals and leaves together according to the tutorial for binding jade hairpins.