Walking through one of the hamster tunnels on campus at IUPUI yesterday and what to my astonished eyes should appear? A girl wearing earrings made of Friendly Plastic! Perhaps some of you recall Friendly Plastic from the 90’s. The last time I actually saw some was when my babysitter brought me an art deco looking broach she had made. I was all of eight years old and certainly wasn’t wearing broaches…I digress. The earrings got my curiosity going.
Is Friendly Plastic still available? What is it exactly? Was it just another 90’s phenomenon like Toni Braxton or Stretch Armstrong?

Friendly Plastic is a non-toxic plastic that is purchase in colored sticks that are softened in warm water and then can be shaped using your hands or craft tools to create jewelry, accessories, home decor, and wearable art projects (whatever those are). The plastic hardens in cold water but can also be layered and baked in an oven to form three-dimensional designs.

Through my “research” I also discovered several craft blogs that discuss this strange material. According to one art blogger, "the 90’s are OVER and the 21st century is well underway, and Friendly Plastic™ isn’t just for “crafty” stuff any longer!". M’am, with all due respect, you are dead wrong. It’s the definition of “crafty”. The last time I read Vogue there was no Friendly Plastic to be found.

Another woman has devoted her entire blog to Friendly Plastic: http://www.friendlyplastic.blogs...
There’s even a Yahoo! Group devoted to the stuff. It’s apparently moderated by a lovely woman in France. Yes, Friendly Plastic has gone international.

My fashion advice to the girl at IUPUI with the Friendly Plastic earrings? Leave it with Toni and Stretch.