Doodle Earrings (Jewelry Charms) by Recycling #6 plastic (Make your own shrinky dinks!)

 by DotatDabbled
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Here's a quick fun project! You don't need to be able to draw more than a doodle, and you end up with pretty & interesting jewelry!
These charms can be used for earrings, necklaces, or whatever you'd like. They are made out of plastic recycled from a to-go container (#6 plastic). The directions below are for 2 matching ones, which could be earrings. Because plastics & pens vary, you might start out with a test piece so see how much your plastic will shrink, and how your colors come out. Or just jump right in! It's only trash.
If you want more ideas and info, I did a whole bunch of experiments on my blog:
EDIT: and I did a Christmas ornament tutorial here: Santa Shrinky Ornaments:

This was the first project I tried, and I've updated the instructions based on what I learned on the best techniques.

 
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Step 1: Materials

Materials
Plastic: It needs to be marked #6. Many to-go containers seem to work. Look for the number inside the recycling triangle. I used salad to-go boxes from my local pizza place.
Sharpie Markers in a variety of light colors, plus black.
Scissors
Hole punch
Toaster (or regular) oven, preheated to around 250 degrees F
Polyurethane for sealing (optional)
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LadyHawk2006 says: May 9, 2013. 8:09 PM
Have you tried puzzle glue? I think you can brush it over the front of the puzzle, so I don't think it should yellow. I've never used it for anything so I'm just guessing, but it seems that it might dry clear and I don't think that it would have acetone.
Skyespirit86 says: Feb 10, 2013. 7:21 PM
I have a product here called 'Diamond Glaze' which is a clear drying glue/varnish and I got it to use on the backs of clear glass tile pendants. Here in UK the only polyurethane varnish I can get hold of is horrible stuff which dries with a yellow tinge.
mkke says: Oct 13, 2012. 4:30 AM
hmmm... I was wondering if anyone had tried resin/ glass??
cheers
paperdoodles says: Jun 19, 2012. 3:06 PM
This is a great tutorial and you are a patient individual!
KwartzKitten says: May 13, 2012. 9:35 PM
Have you ever tried using crazy glue? It's far from perfect and a good whiff while concentrating on your piece will make your eyes water, but I've gotten good results from merely one coat.
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to KwartzKittenMay 14, 2012. 5:09 AM
that's an excellent idea. will have to try it!
Kerushii says: Mar 23, 2012. 1:03 PM
what a wonderful way to recycle!
Tiktaky says: Dec 6, 2011. 7:04 PM
My country doesn't have anything with #6 due to is carcenogenc nature. Do any other grades of plastic work.
(I tried importing some shrinky dink plastic, but it was seized at customs)

We also don't have those little lables, Our plastic container are bare. Maybe I just need to put this on my to-do list when I travel overseas.
Adrastia217 says: Oct 29, 2011. 10:14 AM
thin CD jewel cases are a #6 plastic...i think the clear cover on them would be good for this kind of project...only thing is it might be hard to cut to shape...i was cutting a piece & it kind of splintered...but i was using these wire/sheet metal cutters...which i don't think was the right thing to cut it w/...but w/e...it's ok...i was melting it w/ a heat gun as abstract art...i just thought i'd mention it just as an idea to someone who may want to try that plastic...i'd love to see someone attempt it
Wynd says: Aug 15, 2011. 1:19 PM
Love love love love love love love!!
ajitha sam neon says: Jul 21, 2011. 9:41 AM
with what should we draw please can u say?(who made it)
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to ajitha sam neonJul 21, 2011. 5:53 PM
Draw anything you want! in this case I just made a bunch of swirls with black marker, then colored in the spaces between the black with different colors. If you have issues with the colors running together, try drawing the black on one side, then the colors on the other.
mjones25 says: Jul 10, 2011. 4:44 PM
how do you get the hole without using a drill
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to mjones25Jul 11, 2011. 6:23 AM
You use a hole punch (like the kind you use for paper) before you shrink it.
chosenangelx says: Jul 9, 2011. 2:13 PM
How large would you say the finished product of a 3x2 inch piece of plastic would be?

Thanks,
R
htonks says: Jul 7, 2011. 6:17 PM
You stamp the hole before shrinkage to protect it, right?
htonks says: Jul 7, 2011. 11:36 AM
Could you use clear nail polish over these instead of polyurethane?
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to htonksJul 7, 2011. 12:08 PM
Yes, in fact, several people have recommended that.
inazoo says: Sep 2, 2009. 1:29 PM
do you have to use sharpies or can it just be markers?
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to inazooJul 5, 2011. 11:22 AM
Any permanent marker should work.
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to inazooSep 2, 2009. 2:09 PM
any brand of permanent marker that will write on plastic...
inazoo in reply to DotatDabbledSep 5, 2009. 12:25 PM
thank you
christine ang says: Sep 13, 2009. 2:07 PM
Hmmmm, I posted a question and it didn't come up on your page :( I'm going to try again. When in the oven the plastic seemed to bubble in places and wouldn't lay flat. I even tried to flatten while still hot. No luck :( The container is #6...maybe it's just that particular container?? I did use an opaque cup. That worked GREAT! Do you think that I'm doing something wrong with the to go container? TY! Christine
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to christine angJul 5, 2011. 11:22 AM
Try a different sample - not all #6 will work, but most will.
jmurray7 says: Jul 5, 2011. 10:11 AM
Does melting the plastic not release poisonous toxins into the air? I see that it's a low temperature but I'm still a little concerned since you are technically changing the molecular structure of the plastic by heating it.
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to jmurray7Jul 5, 2011. 11:19 AM
As with any project like this where you are melting things, I would suggest doing this in a well ventilated area or outside if you are concerned about fumes. If you're doing a large number of these, I think we've discussed in the comments getting a cheap toaster oven for this purpose and doing it outside.

Jiji says: May 9, 2011. 11:12 AM
I have had good luck with spray varnish....I hold the spray nozzle about a foot away and spray very lightly. Works like a charm.

If you spray too heavy or too close, or yes, it could get interesting.

It's nice too, because it's dry in about 10 minutes.
k-k-b says: Feb 18, 2010. 8:55 AM
Is it 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 250 degrees Celsius?
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to k-k-bFeb 18, 2010. 9:16 AM
Farenheit..  So a very low oven.
jvarberg in reply to DotatDabbledMay 8, 2011. 9:49 AM
I know I'm probably becoming annoying with this, but ehow says 350 works fine. http://www.ehow.com/way_5431670_homemade-shrinky-dinks.html

:-D
Leeden says: Mar 31, 2010. 7:35 PM
Um, I tried this but 30 seconds didn't do anything what-so-ever. :c

I had to use a normal oven but it took minutes until they did anything at all. Such a long time made me weary to keep them in too much longer after they fell the first time.
jvarberg in reply to LeedenMay 8, 2011. 9:48 AM
Again, according to ehow.com, it can take from 1-5 minutes to shrink and flatten back out. http://www.ehow.com/way_5431670_homemade-shrinky-dinks.html
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to LeedenApr 1, 2010. 5:35 AM
As with any time that you're working with 'unknown' materials (ie recycled from trash!) sometime you might get a dud.  I tried this with some cool black plastic labeled #6 one time, but it didnt work. 

I would guess your plastic was too thick or just manufactured in a different way.

Try again with another sample.  (and always do a test piece with scrap prior to spending a ton of time on making something cool, to find out your material doesn't perform as expected.)
rachelmaryb says: Jan 27, 2011. 6:03 PM
How can you flatten it if it's hot...? o.O
jvarberg in reply to rachelmarybMay 8, 2011. 9:46 AM
It should flatten on it's own. If it doesn't, it's not #6 plastic (according to ehow.com). http://www.ehow.com/way_5431670_homemade-shrinky-dinks.html
broberts3 says: Apr 11, 2011. 11:49 AM
Can i just point out that plastic with the number 6 on it is not safe when heated and is a human carcinogen. Is there anyhting else i could do the designs on? I think its a brilliant idea though. =)
DotatDabbled (author) in reply to broberts3Apr 11, 2011. 12:20 PM


thx!

That's why I recommend doing this in a ventilated area, or even outside with a toaster oven you don't care about. To me the risk of doing this very occasionally is acceptable. But of course everyone should use their own judgement.

If you don't want to use #6, you could use actual purchased Shrink Plastic (aka "shrinky dinks") to the same effect..
jvarberg in reply to DotatDabbledMay 8, 2011. 9:44 AM
FYI - according to Ehow (http://www.ehow.com/way_5431670_homemade-shrinky-dinks.html), Shrinky Dink plastic IS #6 plastic and that's the only type of plastic that will work without sticking to itself, melting too much or staying balled up.

Just thought I'd let ya know! :-)
day-veed says: Apr 8, 2011. 10:49 PM
I didn't have many permanent markers around so i used a 240 and a 400 grit sandpaper to roughen it up a little. The result was a opaque (sort of like 'sea-glass') plastic that could be coloured with colour pencils.
blauschmetterling says: Feb 11, 2011. 12:15 PM
Do you have to use clear plastic, or would white work? I know it won't have the same effect, but it might still be fun.
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