Here is a great budget-friendly gift idea!
Five-year-old Betty made this shrink plastic jewelry for her siblings and they turned out wonderfully. Plus, we had the best time making them, hanging out in the kitchen one-on-one. Betty kept saying, “I LOVE doing projects with you, Mom.” Made me so happy! This was the first time I’ve ever tried shrink plastic and it is awesome. Seriously. So fun, and such a satisfying project for kids. It really feels magical. It’s basically a sheet of thin, flexible plastic, and when you bake it, it transforms. Bonus: making all of these cost about $1. Bargain!
Gather Supplies and Get Started
Before you begin, make sure you have the following supplies:
- Sharpies: These are the markers that will bring your designs to life on the shrink plastic. We used a variety of colors to create vibrant and eye-catching designs.
- Shrink plastic: This is the main component of your jewelry. We bought a six-sheet pack for about $6.00. This will give you plenty of material to work with.
- Scissors: You’ll need these to cut out your designs from the shrink plastic.
- Hole punch: This is necessary for creating a hole in the center of your medallion, which will allow you to string it onto a necklace or bracelet.
- Circle templates: These will help you create perfect circles for your designs.
- Embroidery floss: This is what you’ll use to string your finished medallions onto a necklace or bracelet.
Step 1: Trace Circles onto a Sheet of Shrink Plastic
To start, place a sheet of shrink plastic on a flat surface and use a marker to draw a circle onto the plastic. You can use a compass or a circular object to help you draw a perfect circle. We tried two different styles and several sizes to see what worked best.
Step 2: Cut Out the Circles
Once you’ve drawn your circles, use scissors to cut them out. Make sure to cut carefully and accurately, as this will affect the final shape of your medallion.
Step 3: Draw Your Design
This is where the magic happens! Use a Sharpie to draw your design onto the medallion. We tried all sorts of things – owls, elephants, cats, trees, skulls, rainbows, etc. You can also thicken up the border circle by running the marker over it a second time.
Step 4: Add Color
This was Betty’s favorite step. She would draw something in black (or ask me to draw it) and then color it in like a coloring book page. The more color you add, the more vibrant your design will be.
Step 5: Punch a Hole
Use a hole punch to create a hole in the center of your medallion. Make sure to punch the hole before you bake the plastic, as it will be too thick to punch once it shrinks.
Step 6: Bake the Medallions
Place your medallions on a piece of baking parchment and bake them according to the directions on the shrink plastic package. Mine instructed to bake at 300 degrees for 2-3 minutes. But in my oven, it only took about 10-15 seconds! The medallions will bend and curl and go crazy in the oven, and then they’ll mostly flatten out.
Step 7: Flatten the Medallions
When the medallions are lying still, remove the paper from the oven and have a spatula or flat knife handy to flatten any medallions that are still a little bowed. The plastic will be soft enough to flatten for a very short time, so work quickly.
Step 8: String Your Medallions
Once your medallions are finished, you can string them onto a necklace or bracelet using embroidery floss. You can also string them like beads or make them into charm bracelets or even a keychain.
Tips and Variations
- Use different colors and designs to create unique and personalized jewelry.
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes to create a variety of medallions.
- Add embellishments like glitter, sequins, or rhinestones to give your jewelry an extra touch of glamour.
- Make a set of medallions in a single design and string them together to create a beautiful necklace or bracelet.
Conclusion
Making shrink film jewelry is a fun and easy project that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. With a few simple supplies and a bit of creativity, you can create beautiful and unique jewelry that’s sure to delight. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly gift idea that’s perfect for any occasion. So why not give it a try and see what kind of magical creations you can come up with?
