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Shrink Plastic Bracelet – How Charming

By: Cheryl Hurttgam
Rubber Roadsters
Advanced Stamping Team Designer
 

Supplies
1920’s Collage stamp (TAC)
Victorian Borders (TAC)
Blue Hybrid Palette Ink (Superior)
Translucent Shrink Plastic (Squirrel)
Sizzix Die Cut Machine (Ellison)
Bookplates Oval Die (Ellison)
5/16” Circle Hole Punch
Sander
Stylus
Jump Rings
Barrel Clasp
Jewelry Pliers
Scissors
Heat Gun (Milwaukee)

Instructions

1. Using the Sizzix machine and die, cut out 6-7 bookplate ovals.

2. Sand each side of the plastic ovals lightly. This will give it tooth to hold your ink and keep it from sticking to itself during the shrinking process.

3. Punch a circle into each end of the ovals.

4. Stamp the upper portion of the 1920’s collage onto one of the ovals using the Hybrid ink.

5. On the remaining ovals, stamp the Victorian border. Cut around each of the images giving shape to each one.

6. With the heat gun, shrink each of the plastic pieces, using the stylus to hold them in place. While they are still warm, bend them slightly to give them a “C” curve.

7. Open the jump rings with the jewelry pliers by twisting each end away from each other. Do not pry them open bending each end out away from the other (forming a “c”). This will deform their natural circle and they will not close properly.

8. Slip a jump ring through two of the plastic ovals. Close the jump ring by twisting the ends back together.

9. Continue to attach each piece of your bracelet until it will go around your wrist.

10. On the last oval on each side of your bracelet, add a jump ring and half of a barrel clasp.

Variation:
Stamp flowers, cars, etc. onto your plastic and cut out each shape. Be sure to punch your holes before you shrink!! If your hole is too small, use an exacto knife to scrape out the hole.

To color shrink plastic:
You can use chalks, permanent inks, colored pencils, etc. Remember, though, once your piece is in its shrunken form the colors will be much darker than how they started. You can also color the plastic after it is reduced.

***Don’t leave square or pointed edges. They will be sharp once they are reduced and may cause harm.

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