Shrink Plastic Flower Pin Tutorial

[jessicapoundstone]

Here's a picture of a nifty little project for anyone interested in exploring the outer bounds of what you can do with shrink plastic.

A full tutorial - including a video and downloadable PDF file with pictures of each steps and templates (I went all out on this thing!!) - is available right here: http://www.jewelrybyjessica.com/tutorials.html I've posted the text of the tutorial below as well. You can also post your stunning creation in the little flickr group for this project, which is here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/jewelrybyjessicaflowerpin/pool/ Have fun with it!!!

PLEASE NOTE: This pattern is for personal use only. No products based on this pattern may be sold. 

Materials Needed 
• Two sheets of clear shrink plastic (www.shrinkydinks.co m)
• Pattern for three flower shapes (see link to PDF with templates above)
• Scissors
• Cookie sheet or toaster oven tray to shrink plastic on
• Racquetball
• Paintbrush
• Craft acrylic paint 
• Craft acrylic varnish (gloss)
• Razor or Exacto knife blade
• E6000 glue
• Pin back

Step 1: Use the templates to cut out three shrink plastic shapes – the flower pin base, middle and center.  (If your shrink plastic requires, sand one side of your plastic according to instructions. )

Step 2: Shrink base piece first. Follow your shrink plastic instructions for heat settings and surface backing requirements. After the piece is entirely shrunk and laying flat,  pull it out. Quickly, while it is still warm and malleable, form the piece around your racquetball to create a bowl shape. Be sure the shiny side is against the ball and the rough side is facing you. If you’re unhappy with the shape, the piece can be re-heated and re-formed.

Step 3: Shrink middle and center pieces; form around racquetball in the same way as the base piece.

Step 4: Paint each piece with craft acrylic paint. You can use one coat for a more translucent effect, or two for a more opaque effect. Allow to dry. Paint each piece with craft acrylic varnish. Allow to dry.

Step 5: Use a dot of E6000 glue to secure the three layers together, and affix the pin back.

Step 6: Wear and enjoy! Make more!

[craftADDchick]

Oh, my goodness! I can't believe I'm the first to comment on these. I saw these yesteday and had to bookmark them (since I was at work and wasn't really supposed to be on Craftster ). I am digging out my supply of shrink plastic and after I view the tutorial, I'm hitting the store for any other supplies I might need. Can't wait to try this

[craftADDchick]

Double oh, my goodness! What a fantastic tutorial! Jessica, you totally rock for posting this. I never would have thought to paint the shrink plastic. Hitting the craft store tomorrow and I'll be posting a pic soon. I don't know if I have a racquet-ball ball, but I might be able to get my hands on one of those ubiquitous pink bouncy balls.

My Christmas gift list just got way cooler, and way easier!!

Thanks again, Jessica!!

[jessicapoundstone]

So glad you like the project!  I would love to see your pin once you've made it!

[craftADDchick]

Hopefully, I'll have time to play a little bit tomorrow!

Just a question, though...I saw that you handled the hot/warm plastic with bare hands. How long did you have to wait until you could do that?

[jessicapoundstone]

Kind of depends on your tolerence level : ) I wait for just a few seconds after a piece comes out of the toaster, but you could wait a little bit longer. Or, if you have a glove that allows a bit more dexterity than an oven mitt (a mitten or something) you could protect your hands a bit more. The plastic does start to stiffen as soon as it starts to cool, but there is a "sweet spot" where it's still malleable, but not too hot to handle.

Also, if you find that it's too hard to form the flower in the way you want - or you form it an don't like the shape, you can always put it back in the oven and let it get hot again. For this project anyway, the shrink plastic is pretty forgiving!

[craftADDchick]

Thanks! I'm heading out to the store in mere minutes...but my camera battery is about to die and the charger is missing, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to post pics tonight

[TheEclecticSlide]

LOVE this , and the tute is rad! thanks so much :-)

[craftADDchick]

I bought a bunch of acrylic paint (it was on sale), but couldn't find the paint on glaze. I do have some spray on, so I'm hoping that will work.

But, I just realized that I forgot the ball. I used to play racquet ball, so I may have a can of them around, but I'm not sure I'll be able to find them...