E.V.A. Honor

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

  1. What is E.V.A.?

    Answer: E.V.A. (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a rubberized sheet plastic material that is light, flexible, and colorful, sold in 40x60 cm sheets in various thicknesses (1.5, 3, 5, 10 mm). It is widely used in crafts, schools, decoration, and costumes because it is easy to cut, glue, draw on, and shape with heat (thermoformable). — E.V.A. is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, discovered in the 1940s; it has properties intermediate between plastic and rubber; it is used in insoles (Crocs, Havaianas), sports balls, insulation, and exercise mats. For school crafts, a thickness of 1.5-3 mm is the most common because it is easy to cut.

  2. What are the main characteristics and uses of E.V.A.?

    Answer: Characteristics: light, non-toxic, flexible, hypoallergenic, washable, waterproof, thermal/sound insulating, easy to cut and glue. Uses: children's costumes, cushions, party decorations, educational panels, learning toys, costume jewelry, Carnival masks, and gym flooring. — Its non-toxic nature makes EVA ideal for children and for making insoles (Havaianas uses a lot of it); its flexibility allows for gentle curves; its thermoformability (it softens at 80-90°C) makes various angles and edges possible, common in costumes with volume; thermal insulation helps in sports protection and gym mats.

  3. What materials are used to cut and glue E.V.A.?

    Answer: To cut: ordinary scissors (simple cuts), a craft knife (precise cuts on a cutting mat), a hole punch. To glue: a hot glue gun (most used), EVA glue (Acrilex EVA), superglue (fast), silicone glue. To color: acrylic paint, permanent markers, or specific EVA paint. — The hot glue gun is the king tool of EVA work for its fast, strong grip; white PVA glue does not work on EVA (it does not adhere); superglue dries in seconds but is brittle and breaks when bent. Olfa craft knives with a trapezoidal blade cut EVA in layers up to 5 mm thick — hole punches create precise holes.

  4. Which tool is most suitable for drawing on E.V.A.?

    Answer: To draw on EVA, use a white ballpoint pen (on dark EVA) or a white gel pen; a white pencil or tailor's chalk also works. On light EVA, use a felt-tip pen or an ordinary pencil. Mark with light pressure so as not to cut the material, and use carbon paper to transfer ready-made drawings. — The white ballpoint pen (Pentel, BIC) is the standard tool of the EVA crafter; on dark EVA (black, navy) it is practically the only visible option; the ink must be permanent so it does not fade over time. Excessive pressure can mark the EVA permanently, so start with a light line.

  5. Explain the procedure for transferring templates onto E.V.A.

    Answer: Transferring templates: print or draw the template on paper; place the template on the EVA; trace the outline with a marker pen or pencil. For complex templates, use carbon paper between the template and the EVA. Cut the EVA following the line with scissors or a craft knife. Do not cut outside the outlines of the original template. — For dark EVA, use tailor's chalk or a white pen; for light EVA, an ordinary pencil works. Templates on craft sites (Pinterest, Etsy) are easily downloaded and printed; remember to orient the template respecting the size of the EVA sheet (40x60 cm) to make the most of the material and reduce waste.

  6. What are the advantages and disadvantages that E.V.A. can bring to the environment?

    Answer: Advantages: durability (it does not deteriorate quickly), lightness for transport, washable (reusable), non-toxic (safe for children). Disadvantages: petroleum-derived (a non-renewable source), non-biodegradable (it takes hundreds of years to decompose), difficult to recycle, microplastics in the environment when discarded. — EVA is technically recyclable (code #7 — other plastics), but very few Brazilian cities collect or process EVA — it ends up in landfills as waste; more sustainable alternatives for school crafts include eco-friendly felt (from recycled PET bottles) and rubberized-touch card stock.

  7. Make 3 objects out of E.V.A. and use them in some department of the church.

    Answer: Make 3 objects out of EVA for use in a church department: it could be a children's ministry apron (colorful animals), a decorative Sabbath School panel, visit souvenirs, masks of biblical characters for a play, or colorful hymnal covers. Present the 3 to the department and to the instructor. — Church departments that use EVA: children's ministry (activities, costumes, biblical characters), Sabbath School (panels, maps), pre-teens (event decoration), Pathfinders (souvenirs, ministry symbols), communication (posters), Adventurers, and youth ministry (retreat decoration).

  8. Choose and make one of the suggestions listed below, different from the previous question, combining E.V.A. with a recyclable material:
    • Ornamental flower
    • Pen holder
    • Book cover
    • Refrigerator magnet
    • Towel holder
    • Keychain
    • Picture frame
    • Object of your choice

    Answer: Choose an item from the list and make it with EVA + a recyclable material (can, PET bottle, cardboard, toilet paper roll, container lid, used CD). Decorate with colored EVA and glue it on. Examples: a pen holder with a can + EVA, a picture frame with cardboard + EVA, a fridge magnet with a lid + EVA. Present it to the instructor. — Powdered milk cans (Ninho, Nan) become pen holders, vases, or piggy banks; cut PET bottles become planters; cereal-box cardboard becomes a book cover or picture frame; toilet paper rolls become drawer organizers; CDs become keychain bases or ornaments — all lined with colored EVA to personalize them.