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

Doodle Earrings (Jewelry Charms) by Recycling #6 plastic (Make your own shrinky dinks!)
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 1Materials

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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123 comments
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May 13, 2012. 9:35 PMKwartzKitten says:
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.
Mar 23, 2012. 1:03 PMKerushii says:
what a wonderful way to recycle!
Dec 6, 2011. 7:04 PMTiktaky says:
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.
Oct 29, 2011. 10:14 AMAdrastia217 says:
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
Aug 15, 2011. 1:19 PMWynd says:
Love love love love love love love!!
Jul 21, 2011. 9:41 AMajitha sam neon says:
with what should we draw please can u say?(who made it)
Jul 10, 2011. 4:44 PMmjones25 says:
how do you get the hole without using a drill
Jul 9, 2011. 2:13 PMchosenangelx says:
How large would you say the finished product of a 3x2 inch piece of plastic would be?

Thanks,
R
Jul 7, 2011. 6:17 PMhtonks says:
You stamp the hole before shrinkage to protect it, right?
Jul 7, 2011. 11:36 AMhtonks says:
Could you use clear nail polish over these instead of polyurethane?
Sep 2, 2009. 1:29 PMinazoo says:
do you have to use sharpies or can it just be markers?
Sep 5, 2009. 12:25 PMinazoo says:
thank you
Sep 13, 2009. 2:07 PMchristine ang says:
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
Jul 5, 2011. 10:11 AMjmurray7 says:
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.
May 9, 2011. 11:12 AMJiji says:
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.
Feb 18, 2010. 8:55 AMk-k-b says:
Is it 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 250 degrees Celsius?
May 8, 2011. 9:49 AMjvarberg says:
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
Mar 31, 2010. 7:35 PMLeeden says:
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.
May 8, 2011. 9:48 AMjvarberg says:
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
Jan 27, 2011. 6:03 PM12koolgirl says:
How can you flatten it if it's hot...? o.O
May 8, 2011. 9:46 AMjvarberg says:
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
Apr 11, 2011. 11:49 AMbroberts3 says:
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. =)
May 8, 2011. 9:44 AMjvarberg says:
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! :-)
Apr 8, 2011. 10:49 PMday-veed says:
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.
Feb 11, 2011. 12:15 PMblauschmetterling says:
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.
Jan 31, 2011. 5:38 PM12koolgirl says:
Well, i couldn't flatten them out fast enough, but got some cool results anyways!
Sep 5, 2009. 12:49 PMinazoo says:
would tin foil work beause i dont have any parchment paper
Jan 27, 2011. 7:19 PMoio_flurry says:
I use tinfoil it works great. In fact I have had a lot of luck scrunching up the sides of the tin foil to form a pan and just leaving the pan out all together. Because the tinfoil "pan" is so thin, the heat gets to the plastic right away so you can watch it shrink after only a few seconds in a preheated oven.
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