Pinterest Challenge: I Made a Shrinky Dink Bracelet!

I have to be honest,
I barely have time to make what I conjure up in my mind...yet,I read magazines, scour design websites, and of course...I Pin! All of this with the intentions of "getting to it"...some day. Then along comes the Pinterest Challenge and it gave me a kick start for 2012!

I have had this Shrinky Dink Bracelet "pinned" since,
well, since the beginning of my pinning.
It was created by one of my favorite bloggers (and people),
Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made and was featured in Country Living.


I used to make jewelry, but rarely do now...
so I thoroughly enjoyed making this because it was a bit of a challenge
(just to get back on that jewelry making bicycle)
and I got to play with Shrinky Dinks! I loved Shrinky Dinks as a kid and now,
 to play with them as an adult...shear heaven!


So here it goes...
My version.

...the original Country Living piece.

So I am all set to make this bracelet...

I was ready to print out my two PDF's of vintage images

(find them linked HERE) created by JSIM for Country Living...

and discovered that I only had 2 sheets of Shrinky Dink Inkjet paper left

(That is all you need, but I freaked...
that meant I could not make any mistakes!
Ha! That'll be the day!).

Apparently the other 4 sheets were used by hubby and son to make flying mythical creatures for a diorama.

(I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they told me they did this).

Then my printer whacked out on me...and being a couple days before Christmas, there was no time to run to Michael's for more Shrinky Dinks...my friend picked up a different brand of inkjet shrink film for me (from another craft store) and I actually liked the look of the transparent film, but it was really hard to see the images to cut them out.

Then, finally, just a few days ago I made it to Michael's to pick up the Shrinky Dinks Inkjet paper and we have success again...so that is my saga (I have a story for everything!)

Now my version of the tutorial!

Supplies

• You need access to a computer and ink jet printer.
• You also need access to a toaster oven or regular over.
• Shrinky Dinks for Inkjet Printers Refill Paper 6 Sheets 8" X 10"* This link will take you to Amazon to purchase. I was also able to find them at Michael's (and use a coupon)
• Vintage images, graphics, photos, etc. or the PDF sheets of vintage images from Just Something I Made via Country Living I used can be found HERE
• Scissors/X-ACTO knife to cut pieces
• Hole Punch - I used a 1/8" punch - my holes were small and the 10 mm jump rings just fit through them.
• Jump rings...I used 10mm
• Clasp of your choosing
• Jewelry pliers
• Clear Acrylic Spray

DIY IT!
Again, this project was designed by Cathe Holden for Country Living. 
You can read the original tutorial here. 
Here is my tutorial with my notes of what I learned.

• Print out the vintage images on the Shrinky Dink Inkjet "paper." Follow the directions on the package - you need to alter the color a bit. If you use the Country Living graphics, the color has already been altered for you.
• For the print outs, I adjusted my printer to use matte photo paper setting set to photo quality printing.
• Print out each sheet and let dry for a few minutes.

• Once dry, cut out with scissors or X-ACTO knife. I used a combination of both. 

• Determine which images you want to use and lay them out.

• Punch holes - 1. On either side about 1/4" in or 2. on the top only, about 1/4" down. If you are doing the chain/charm bracelet version (see option 2 below), you only want to punch 1 hole in the top, centered, about 1/4" down from the edge.

• OPTIONAL: Round corners - For my final bracelets, I used a corner rounder on many of the pieces to soften the edges. I did NOT use the rounder on pieces that had a border, etc.

• Preheat oven to 325 Place cut images on a sheet of brown paper bag, not touching each other.

• Bake for 2-3 minutes...just watch. Everything is good... 
• A brief moment of panic...(these guys twisted and turned but all turned out fine)...

• Then amazingly, they shrink up and look normal.

• Remove from oven and let cool for minutes.

Here is a comparison of sizes before shrinking and after

• Once cool, spray with Acrylic Spray...let dry.
• Attach jump rings on either side of the baked images, linking them together.

• Attach desired clasp on either end. (PS - I need to adjust my clasp by adding an additional jump ring so it closes easier..depending on the clasp you choose you may have to as well.)

OPTION 2 (bracelet on the bottom in above photo):

• I used three lengths of chain and 7 jump rings for this version.
• Attach clasps on either end: Measure in equally on each side and place a jump ring through all three links of the chain; Measure to the center of the bracelet and repeat the jump ring addition; Divide the space between the center and end jump rings and place two jump rings equally spaced on either side of the center for a total of 7 jump rings.

• Add charms after getting your spacing right.

Here is my collection of bracelets...

first attempt: color is washed out 
(printer issues)
You can see the difference between the first and final versions

Next attempt - clear shrink film.
I actually like the look of the clear shrink film, it looks very vintage and has a cool effect. The downfalls of the transparent film...The details don't show through as much (which is OK)- they are more muted but you still get the effect, and and if you have bad eyes (like me) it was hard to see to cut out (pre-baking).

Final attempt: Shrinky Dink Inkjet Paper

So, what do you think...ready to try some Shrinky Dink Jewelry?

*affiliate link to amazon.com