Newsletter #3: Sandwich Keychain 🥪, Couple Tamagotchi, OG Grumpy Cat Keychain 🐱

• Each charm (approx 1" x 1.5")

• Shrink plastic
• Keychain

• I used Posca markers (acrylic markers), which I highly recommend! They aren't the cheapest markers, but the quality is unbeatable. It's super bright and pigmented which makes the image look so much better. HOWEVER, it is still possible to make this keychain with regular markers, the colors just won't be as bright and solid.
• I heated the shrink plastic at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and took it out when I felt like the plastic stopped shrinking.
• Make sure to put parchment paper between the shrinking charm and the pan in the oven or else it will burn and make sure the glossy side is facing up. If the glossy side is facing down then when you go to flatten it, there is a high chance the glossy side will get scratched up by the parchment paper.
• I used a large flat object to flatten the trinket right after taking it out of the oven (the shrink plastic hardens extremely fast so you have to be faster). People tend to use large heavy books. I personally don't have any on hand, so I just use some thick cardboard and put pressure down on it with my hand and works like a charm!
• I highly recommend drawing out a ruler on a test sheet of plastic and shrinking it first for proportional reference. Fair warning, it does shrink A LOT.
• The final keychain IS NOT super sturdy and has to be handled with care.
• Shrink plastic is convenient and easy BUT not reliable. The sandwich I made is actually stretched and not perfect. Even when taking all precautions, shrink plastic is very finicky and overall will give you decent results, but takes a lot of practice to get consistently perfect results.
• Make sure to have an extra large jump ring for the sandwich. It has a lot of pieces and will not fit in a standard jump ring.

Original Grumpy Cat Keychain

• Shrink plastic
• Keychain

• I used Posca markers (acrylic markers), which I highly recommend! They aren't the cheapest markers, but the quality is unbeatable. It's super bright and pigmented which makes the image look so much better. HOWEVER, it is still possible to make this keychain with regular markers, the colors just won't be as bright and solid.
• I heated the shrink plastic at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and took it out when I felt like the plastic stopped shrinking.
• Make sure to put parchment paper between the shrinking charm and the pan in the oven or else it will burn and make sure the glossy side is facing up. If the glossy side is facing down then when you go to flatten it, there is a high chance the glossy side will get scratched up by the parchment paper.
• I used a large flat object to flatten the trinket right after taking it out of the oven (the shrink plastic hardens extremely fast so you have to be faster). People tend to use large heavy books. I personally don't have any on hand, so I just use some thick cardboard and put pressure down on it with my hand and works like a charm!
• I highly recommend drawing out a ruler on a test sheet of plastic and shrinking it first for proportional reference. Fair warning, it does shrink A LOT.
• The final keychain IS NOT super sturdy and has to be handled with care.
• Shrink plastic is convenient and easy BUT not reliable. The sandwich I made is actually stretched and not perfect. Even when taking all precautions, shrink plastic is very finicky and overall will give you decent results, but takes a lot of practice to get consistently perfect results.

Materials

Amazon Storefront: I've curated all of my recommended materials here, complete with personal notes explaining why I love them! If you're seeking suggestions, feel free to take a look. However, if you're not into affiliate links feel free to skip it!

xTool Laser Cutter: My newest addition to my little creative workshop! I'm still learning more and more by the day, but I can definitely say it's my favorite tool by far. I have the xTool P2 laser cutter, but they offer a large range of tools. I highly recommend checking out what they have, especially since they have their St. Patrick's Day Sale going on!

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