Trinity has been fascinated with the shrinky dinks she made at a friend's house. And kept on asking me to make some more with her. I don't blame her, it was quite interesting to watch the plastic shrunk and then flattened into a charm right before our eyes.
But our friends had a shrinky dinks kit that came with a heater and the works. But since I wasn't ready to adopt a new family fixture, I decided to try making our own shrinky dinks from the used plastic that I had with our toaster oven.
I wasn't expecting perfection for the first time, but I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked.

You can turn the shrinky dinks from used plastic into charms for bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and beautiful creations for any holiday. Let your imagination be your guide. Reuse and create beautiful handmade charms, and jewelry anytime easily with plastic, sharpies and a toaster oven.

Materials to make shrinky dinks from used plastic.
1. Plastic: Not every plastic container tops will work. We've tried several and the thicker plastic just curl up and not flatten out. So look for the #6 mark on the plastic. If there's none, then you just have to experiment. I find the thin covers on salads, and bakery items work for us.
2. Sharpies
3. Scissors
4. Hole puncher
5. Toaster (or regular) oven, preheated to 350*
6. Stencils if your child needs a little help (optional).

 

Draw shape or use stencil to shape your image.


Color in your image. Use the hole puncher and punch where you will hang the charm. 


Preheat the toaster or oven to 350 degrees. Put the plastic charms in. Watch the charms curl up and then flatten. When they are flatten, they will also thicken. 


I love my toaster oven BTW. I have it since year 2000 and it is the most used appliance in the house. A little worn as you can see, but that toaster is a producer! And recently it has became a crafts tool like you wouldn't believe. 


Notice the plastic charms are now thickened. The hole remains and ready for you to string a necklace or onto a key chain. 

 Here are Self Sagacity's Thursday Two Questions #156
1) Have you heard of shrinky dinks before?
2) What other ways have you re-used plastic containers?

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Message about Thursday Two Questions: Since I have been enjoying the shares from week to week, whether it's motivation, or tutorials, questions, recipes, or ranting from the commentators. I am open to ANYTHING you wish to link, so link-up and thanks for stopping by. Smiles.