Home made shamrock shrinky dink zipper pull from #6 plastic

Do you remember Shrinky Dinks?  They were all the rage when we were kids.  They actually still make them although they aren’t as popular as they once were.  Invented by two housewives in the 70’s Shrinky Dinks are plastic sheets that can be colored and when baking become 1/3 of their original size and very rigid which makes them perfect for buttons, charms and jewelry.  Did you know you could make your own Shrinky Dinks by using recycled plastic #6 containers?  Most plastic containers have a number on them and only #6 will work. Carry out containers and even egg cartons are sometimes marked # 6. The shamrock here uses a #6 egg carton.  Although there is writing on the carton it works very well to make a zipper pull.  If you find a clear #6 container you can substitute it for the egg carton.

Shamrock Shrinky Dink Pattern

Supplies:

# 6 egg carton

Shamrock pattern

Scissors

Permanent markers

Aluminum foil lined cookie sheet

Home oven

Metal spatula

Hole punch

Small ball key chain

Needle nosed pliers

Jump ring

Directions:

1.     Cut the flat sections off the egg carton.  Trace the pattern onto the egg carton piece and cut out.  Punch a hole in the top of the shamrock with a hole punch. (You must do this before you shrink it)

2.     Use a permanent green marker to color the shamrock.  The color will intensify when baked.

3.     Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the cut out on the cookie sheet and insert into the oven.  It should shrink within two minutes. 

4.     Remove from the oven and press with the spatula to further flatten the piece.

Unbaked shamrock next to baked one

5.     Open up a jump ring with needle nosed pliers and insert into the hole.  Close the jump ring and add a ball key chain to use as a zipper pull, key chain, or backpack bling