Shrink Plastic Shamrock Charm

Since so many people have asked for more and more charms I am planning on sharing a charm a week for well I guess as long as I can still think of them.  I don't think I'm going to have a set day for them...they'll just pop up when I'm inspired and today happens to be one of those days!

I have to tell you this charm turned out totally different than I originally envisioned it but I like it even better than my first idea so here goes...

Shrink Plastic

Shamrock Charm

Supplies:

Grafix Shrink Plastic - Clear
Heat Tool or oven
Archival Ink
Alcohol Ink
Heart Punch or Pattern
(optional) Celtic Stamp (Just For Fun Rubber Stamps)
Super Glue or Jewelry Glue 
Krylon Copper Paint Pen
Copper Jump Ring

Instructions:

1. Punch or cut out three or four hearts the same size from clear or white shrink plastic.  I used a 1 1/4" heart punch.  

You will need to cut out a stem ~ I used a scrap from a piece of shrink plastic that I had previously cut out a circle.  The scrap between two circles was the perfect shape for the stem!  (so don't toss your scraps ~ you never know when they might come in handy) 

2. Shrink all of your pieces either in the oven or using your heat tool.

3. Apply desired color of Alcohol Inks to your shamrock pieces.  I am using Citrus, Lettuce and Meadow.

4. Cut a piece of shrink plastic 3" x 3 1/4" ~ punch a hole on one of the 3" sides.

5. (optional) If desired, stamp this piece with Celtic script background stamp and Archival Ink. 

6. Shrink this tag with a heat tool or in the oven.

7. Glue the Shamrock pieces to the tag using Super Glue or Jewelry Glue.  I like to use either Locktite Super Glue or Aleene's Jewelry Glue.  IMO They seem to hold better than regular glues on jewelry or items being handled or worn.

8. Apply some sort of paint pen to the edge of the charm.  I like Krylon's Paint Pens...for this charm I used copper (my fav!).

9. Add a jump ring and you're done!! 

Note: Instead of a jump ring you could glue it to a pin bale for a nice little pin.

So there you go...

Another fun charm to tuck in your bag of tricks!

By simply switching out the shamrock for other shapes (egg, flower, flag, etc.) you could create a charm for any occasion!