Sooo Michelle and Angie have been bugging me to make these headbands for months ever since they saw the prototype I made for a fashion show last fall. I really like them a lot, but the thing that's been holding me back is that the baubles are made from styrofoam balls.
These particular ones are made from styrofoam balls I found at Value Village, so I don't mind using them since they're second hand....but I don't know what I'm going to do if I want to make more! I really really really don't want to use new styrofoam since it's not a very eco-friendly material and can't be recycled. I've looked everywhere for alternatives...and eep! I'm stuck! It needs to be something smooth, lightweight, and perfectly round. Do you guys have any ideas?Angie was suggesting that I find a place that throws away dented ping pong balls. Hmmm.
So anyway, for now, there are only two headbands. Hopefully I'll find a solution so I can make more!
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I don't have any ideas, but I do LOVE the headbands, and wish you luck, and love that you're thinking of it this way (anti-styrofoam). Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteohmygosh, i LOVE these! will let you know if i think of an alternative to your styrofoam balls.
ReplyDeletegumballs! macaroons! felt? stuffing? but it's hard to get them perfectly round huh... little balls of stuffing in pantyhose scraps?
ReplyDeleteNice idea, why don't you continue to use the styrofoam balls. They are ightweight, inexpensive and styrofoam can be recycled, it depends whether you local authority are set up to handle it. We work with polystyrene(Styrofoam) and recycle all our waste product.
ReplyDeleteWhat about craft pom poms?? You can find them in different sizes at dollar stores or craft stores! I use them as cat toys, but they would be perfect for these headbands too! :o)
ReplyDeletehttp://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/categories/1302_2160-craft_pom_poms.html
Here in New Zealand styrofoam is recycled into underfloor insulation for housing, so I'd personally consider that ecologically friendly. Otherwise I think the dented pingpong ball idea is good!
ReplyDeleteCan you use lightweight wood balls from the craft store?
ReplyDeleteHi guys! Thanks so much for your input! I'm still weighing the pros and cons!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that styrofoam is recycled into insulation in New Zealand. Unfortunately, styrofoam isn't accepted at curbside recycling here in Montreal, and when I lived in Brooklyn, it wasn't either.
I also looked into the process of recycling styrofoam, and apparently most cities don't want to do it because it's inefficient. It uses a lot of energy and it costs a lot of money.
Fran- do you guys recycle it through a private company? Or does your city take it?
Thanks so much for your help everyone!
P.S. The craft pompoms would probably turn out too bumpy looking. Also, they're probably synthetic which would put me in the same predicament!
ReplyDeleteThose headband are so cute! I wish I had so suggestions. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou should ask Jen what she uses in hers
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/43485019/urban-jungle-animal-print-headband
hi yana,
ReplyDeletehave you thought about ping pong balls? i don't know if they're recyclable or not, but def waaay better than styrofoam. just a thought. =)
loooove the headbands!
Great work! Thanks for sharing your creation.
ReplyDelete