Creativity 521 #26 - Shrinky dink magic

Posted by ~Summer~ on July 21, 2013
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Shrinky Dink.

Does it ring a bell or sound foreign to you? No, it is not the name of a cartoon character or a washing detergent. In fact, I bet you have seen shrinky dinks around, just that you didn't realise that this was the name for it.

Shrinky dink consists of large flexible sheets which, when heated in an oven, shrink to small hard plates without altering their color or shape. It was invented in 1973 by two housewives in Wincosin and reached the height of its popularity in the 1980s.

I first came to know of it when I was a teen. Handphone, actually I mean pager, charms were the in thing during my secondary school days and I remember my friends and I created shrinky dink charms which had colourful flowers and even our chinese names. Don't you love anything personalised? When I first saw how it shrunk when placed in the oven, it was sheer magic.

Remember our visit to Eatplaylove Café which was featured in the last Creativity 521 post? Well, you could say I was thrilled to be able to reminisce the fond times and be awed by the magic once more.

My first shrinky dink piece that day was a pendant for Angel which she totally adored. From a selection of pictures found in the books, she chose this cute and relatively easy-to-draw bunny. Using a frosted, pre-sanded shrinky dink sheet, I placed it over the picture, traced it using a pencil and then coloured it with colour pencils followed by an outline with a fine black marker. Of course, I couldn't help it but personalised it for my girl too!



When heated up, the plastic shrinks by about five-eighths and becomes thicker and harder. The first Angel saw her pendant shrinking in the oven, she was fascinated beyond words too.

The great thing about shrinky dinks is that with just one piece of plastic sheet, you can make so many things with it! Pendants, earrings, rings, handphone charms, magnets, key chains, bookmarks, coasters and the list goes on.

Since we had time to spend at Eatplaylove, I decided to make a pair of matryoshka doll earrings for myself whilte the hubby made his first DIY present for Angel - a ladybird ring. The earrings took me a good half an hour to colour and add in the details but I love how they turned out, don't you?

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The fun doesn't stop! 

I bought some shrinky dink plastic sheets so that we could make some magic at home too!

Materials:

1) Shrinky dink plastic sheets (Eatplaylove, Art Friend and Daiso sell them)
There are different types available: Frosted, opaque (white and black), printable
Note: You can only use colour pencils on the frosted sheets
2) Hole puncher
3) Colour pencils
4) Permanent markers (fine)
5) Scissors
6) Pictures
7) Toaster oven

While I don't understand the craze about Hello Kitty and will never be bothered to queue up for plush toys, I do know that my girl loves this fictional character very much and so, I decided to make her a couple of hair pins.

Firstly, I printed out Hello Kitty pictures and then I used an opaque white shrinky dink sheet to trace them out. I added in the names, cut out the shapes and put them in the oven. All you need to do is place them over a baking sheet on a tray, turn up the heat and they will start to curl. Once they flatten out, give it around 5-8 secs more and they are done! Remove them with a tongs and make sure they stay flat when left to cool. Lastly, stick them onto the pins with some hot glue and we're done!

Note: Remember to punch a hole before you put in the oven for accessories like pendants, charms and earrings so that you can insert jump rings or ear hooks.

Can you see how small and cute the Hello Kitties turn out to be? These are Angel's first personalised hair accessories and the great thing is they don't cost a dime.


Last but not least, my favourite shrinky dink project was using the printable sheet where I could design and customise anything I desire. I decided to make keychain charms for everyone and a small little gift for myself. Can you guess what it is?

Ta-dah! A keychain charm for the hubby in celebration of our 10th year of being together, a mini one for Angel, and a pair of earrings just for me. Woohoo!

Yes, sounds like a weirdo mum but I actually love to 'wear' my girls when I go out nowadays. Angel on one ear, Ariel on the other, it's like they will be with me wherever I go. I don't fancy diamond earrings, not that I have a pair, but these, I hold and treasure like a gem.

Even if my girls make me weary and upset me at times, the truth is they bring me love and joy I never knew existed. I guess that is why I just can't get enough of them. Ever.

P/S: Eatplaylove says that there is a different in the shrinky dink sheets sold in their shop and elsewhere, theirs is made in the US (others mostly in China) and this explains for the difference in quality and price.

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To fellow bloggers who have a fun craft session, DIY tip or creative idea to share, do join in the party! Highlight and press Ctrl + C to copy my button above, include it in your post/sidebar and add your link below. I will be hosting Creativity 521 every fortnightly and I hope you can join me on the 5th and 21st of every month. Remember: The sky's the limit when it comes to creativity!


28 comments:

  1. I love the earrings you made for yourself! Would love to work on some shrinky dink too, but I guess I'll have to wait till Noah is old enough to sit still and let me do my own thing.

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    1. Yes, those earrings I love too! Wait till Noah is asleep and you can try it out, doesn't take too long! Have fun drawing, colouring, designing and watching those magic plastic pieces shrink!

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  2. Thanks for sharing this creative craft. Didn't know that Daiso sell the plastic sheet!

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    1. Hello Wai Wai, yes I heard that Daiso carries them too and a search online says so too. Not sure if they have all types, especially the printable ones, but still, those normal ones are great to start, especially if you wanna let your kids join in the fun, and calls for imagination too!

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  3. Wooo so fun! I never knew something like this existed! All the more a reason to get an oven!

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    1. Haha Made, yes I think oven is a must in the house no matter how small the house! =) Toaster ovens are good for quick heating of food too! Have fun cooking, baking and playing after you get one! Hurry!

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  4. Wow! I need to find out where I can buy this sheet in Australia! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

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    1. Ah huh, I hope you can find them, Magdalene! I think they are pretty popular around the world, try some stationery store, toy shop or places that sell art and craft supplies. Good luck and you are most welcome!

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  5. All looks amazing! Will look out for it too :)

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

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    1. Thanks Ai! It's really easy and fun, I hope you like it too!

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  6. Thanks for sharing. I went to Eat Love Play and saw this craft. Was wondering what this is called but now I know. Gotta head down to Daiso and buy these stuff for personalisation!!!!!! :) Thank you! Now,I know what to personalise for my friends.

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    1. You are welcome, Ally! They caught my eye at Eatplaylove too and when I knew they sell printable sheets, I just couldn't resist! Haha. It's a great way to make my girl happy with all the colouring she can do and the beautiful pieces that we can churn out!

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  7. I love these Shrinky magic sheets too. Didn't realise there are printable ones, they make such beautiful mementoes. Thanks for sharing, you're an inspiration Summer! :)

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    1. Yes, Angie! I also realise they have printable ones after I visited Eatplaylove. How awesome, right? I am not sure if they will fade or spoil over time, but considering how inexpensive and easy it is, I think it still makes great DIY gift and mementos too. Thanks for the sweet comment!

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  8. Shrinky dinks are great cos the kids get to watch their creations transform. Pity I don't have an ink jet though :-(

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    1. Yes I think shrinky dinks are magical! Haha. Hope you get to try them with your kids soon, Agy!

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  9. Awesome, didn't know they were called Shrinky Dinks. Thanks for sharing! Am I the only Dad who is itching to go to Daiso now??? :p

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    1. Haha I always have the itch to go Daiso! No reason also will find a reason! =) You are welcome, Kelvin!

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  10. Hello Summer;)
    WOW! Always enjoy a good crafty post and I absolutely love those earrings! But I have 3 kids... hum. maybe a bigger pendant with all 3 in it would work better for me lol =)

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    1. Hehe now you need a bigger pendant with all 4 in it!! =) I am sure you can work out something more creative than what I did!

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  11. Hi I know this is an old post of yours, but I was wondering where did you get those earring hooks in Singapore? :) This was a great post, can't wait to go to Daiso now :B Thank you x

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    1. Hihi, thanks for reading! I love those earring hooks but alas I got mine from Sweden when I was staying there. You can try some craft store and look in Daiso too! Have fun!

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  12. Hi summer! where can u buy those printable shrink plastics? Its awesome! Does EatPlayLove really sell them? or does it include only in the 'Play' package? Is there any other stores? I really want them! having a picture of you and your family together is so awesome~

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    1. Hihi.. I bought mine from EatPlayLove cafe.. I was told Daiso sells them but I have never bought it there.. Those from EatPlayLove were of a decent quality so I am sticking to these for the time being. Yes, it is an awesome craft, have fun doing!

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  13. Hi! Thank you for sharing such wonderful ideas! I've recently also tried on these and it's so fun! I've been to many daiso outlets but I never seem to be able to find them:( may I know which outlet have them?

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    1. Hi Karen, I heard that many people had trouble finding them! Alas I got mine from EatPlayLove and they were the ones who said Daiso carries them too. Might be just easier to go back to EatPlayLove to get them! =) If they still sell these!

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  14. hi ^^ how much were the printable shrink plastic sheets? thanks the photos were such a great idea!

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    1. Hihi! Thanks! I don't really remember the cost but they were a few dollars I think! I bought a total of 4 sheets, some were more expensive than the others like the printable ones was more slightly more expensive! Maybe you can call up EatPlayLove to see if they still sell these and if so, what is the pricing. =)

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