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Project: Lucky Charm Bracelet
Did you know that Sublime Stitching patterns lend themselves oh so well to all kinds of Shrinky Dink fun? It's true. Necklaces, keychains, zipper pulls, you know - anything you can make with Shrinky Dinks - are twice as nice when made with Sublime Stitching patterns! Like...uhm...I know! Howsabout a charm bracelet? St. Patrick's Day is coming after all, so this'll be perfect. Plus, this is a fantastic project to do with kids (just be sure to supervise around the hot oven)!
Who: You!
What: Sublime Stitching Lucky Charm Bracelet
When: Right now! Who doesn't need a little luck? It'll take an hour tops.
Difficulty Level: Beginner
You'll need:
* "Lucky Charms Sheet" Template (download below)
or, these Sublime Stitching Patterns you may already have:
Country Cool, Unicorn Believer, Darling Daschund, Viva Las Vegas,
Pirates Ahoy, Sublime Stitching Book and the Craft Pad
* Shrinky Dinks - One 8 1/2" x 11" sheet
* Permanent markers, or colored pencils in vibrant colors
*Hole Punch
* Bracelet with fairly large chain links
*7- 9mm Round Open Jump Rings
(found in the jewelry suppy section at most
craft stores for about $1.50)
* Parchment Paper or Brown Paper Bag
*Toaster Oven (recommended) or Oven
*Cookie Sheet or Toaster Oven Tray
* Heavy Book (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
x - x - x - x - x - x
1. Place the Shrinky Dink sheet over the patterns, and color in the
image.
Yes - before you trace it. Otherwise, the black marker that
you'll use to outline the image will bleed into your pretty colors.
2. Trace the lines of the pattern.
3. Punch a hole near the top of the image.
Remember: The hole will shrink too! And make sure you've punched the hole all the way through.
Remember: The hole will shrink too! And make sure you've punched the hole all the way through.
4. Cut out the shapes. Cut circles as smooth as possible (*cough* not
like in the photo).
You can also make the edges fancy with pinking shears or scalloped edge scissors, etc.
You can also make the edges fancy with pinking shears or scalloped edge scissors, etc.
5. Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF (163º C). Cut 2 pieces of parchment
paper to fit your toaster oven tray. Place one sheet of parchment paper
on tray or cookie sheet and place charm pieces, colored side up onto
the paper. Place into oven and watch as your charms shrink to cuteness!
It took these about 60 seconds. The pieces will curl up and then lay
flat. Once they lay flat, allow an extra 30 seconds of baking time to
complete the process.
6. Remove from oven and quickly (within 15 seconds!) place
your other sheet of parchment paper over the charms and press
flat with a heavy book. Like War and Peace.
7. Awwww - Look how cute and teensy they get!
(And see what I mean about cutting the circles as smoothly as possible? Sigh.)
(And see what I mean about cutting the circles as smoothly as possible? Sigh.)
8. Arrange the charms how you'd like them. We made 7 charms (just
seemed luckiest).
Attach charms to bracelet using the jump rings.
Attach charms to bracelet using the jump rings.
9.That's it! You now have one very lucky wrist.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Sublime Stitching Charms Template.jpg | 210.87 KB |
thank you!
This is a fantastic tutorial! I remember shrinky dinks from when I was a little kid. I'm going to have to try this! But first, your generous free patterns are probably going to end up embroidered on some boxer's for my hubby.
my shrinky dink tips
I've been making a lot of shrinkies lately and I've discovered a couple of helpful (maybe?) tips for your readers:
I trace the outline of my design in black Sharpie on the smooth side of the shrinky paper and then flip it over and fill in the color on the rough side. If you're careful with your markers, you won't have much/any bleeding outside your black lines. Also, when you bake them, if you lay them smooth side DOWN, they curl less and will bake flat. If your Sharpie marks are really thick, they may transfer a bit to the paper in the oven (usually not), and if you press them flat into the paper (like you've shown with the book) they have a tendency to leave a little bit of a transfer, which lightens the lines on your shrinky.
Also, I don't think it is possible to 'over bake' shrinky dinks by a minute or two -- unless you walk away for 20 minutes and they start to scorch. In my oven, I watch through the glass door and if they're at all wavy or curly, I let them stay in another minute. This usually gives all the fibers enough time to shrink (the fibers contract from top/bottom and left/right) and then it lays flat. I also tend to do more intricate designs with thin pieces that love to curl (like arms and legs, etc.). Examples of what I've made: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=shrinky&w=20403322%40N00