So way back in 2008, one of the first big “experiments in craft” I did for Dabbled was what I called the Shrinky Dink Test Lab.  I had run across the idea for using #6 plastic to make homemade shrink plastic (aka ‘Shrinky Dinks’) at various places on the crafty webs, but I decided to delve a little deeper.  I started with a basic project (Doodle Charm Earrings), and that led to other questions.  What about coloring with other materials like colored pencils?  How do you seal your plastic afterwards so the marker doesn’t rub off?  And successes and failures in all this also led to interesting effects that could be achieved.

So flash forward to 2012.   Blogs are prettier and fancier now, and more professional looking.  We have Pinterest and Facebook and all kinds of visually focused sharing tools.  The technology is cooler now.  Dabbled gets a bunch more traffic than it did back then.  I ran across a really cute tutorial to make a shrinky bracelet and it made me look back  at  these old Shrinky Dink Test Lab posts and they just look so ….old.   Well, I’m not going to totally redo them or anything, but I did think that perhaps an index of them was in order, for better referencing in the future, and maybe some pretty graphics, too –in case you guys..um…I don’t know… wanna Pin this? ;)

Part 1: HOW TO- Doodle Charms – Jewelry from recycled plastic

This section is a good basic tutorial on how to make shrinky jewerly from old takeout containers, with just sharpies, scissors, a hole punch, and a bit of creativity.  Be sure to read the comments, there are extra tips there about how long to heat them, and whether there are issues with fumes, and some other good points.

Part 2: What would happen if..? (The Shrinky Dink Test Lab)

This section is the first of the experiments.  We cover several cool ideas, like drawing on the front and back of the plastic.  Also we tried several ways of sealing the charm, which produced different effects.  You could totally incorporate these effects into your design.  The comments include several good suggestions for other methods of sealing the shrinky.

Part 3: More experimentation in the Shrinky Dink Test Lab

The second day of odd experiments included what would happen if you sealed the shrinky PRIOR to shrinking, as well as a really neat effect using spraypaint.  We also shrink non-flat plastic (the side of a to-go box) and make a ring out of it.  And we combine several of the techniques to make a giant suncatcher, seeing just how big a shrinky we can make!  Finally, we use colored pencils, rather than Sharpies, to color our design.

Part 4 of the Shrinky Dink Test lab: Successful sealing.. maybe

This is the post where the commenters really come through.  Not only do we have the (mixed) results of my sealing using polyurethane, the commenter pipe up with a bunch of other solutions, and several do their own tests to really give us all the data.  If you’re interested in sealing, this is the post to read (including the comments).

Shrinky Dinkies – Special Edition : Make Wraparound Wine Glass Markers

This is not really part of the test lab, but was a fun project tutorial to make temporary wine glass markers.  Plus the idea of doing a shrinky making party with your friends!

Some Other Shrinky Projects:

• Eco-friendly Charm Bracelet
• Christmas Ornament Template and Tutorial

So, for your enjoyment and inspiration, here we go! (Click through on the pics to see larger, as usual)

Lots of great crafty goods, and tons of inspiration could be seen at the Supercute booth. Aren’t these stuffies by Lorigami just too cute? The owls and bunnies are so clever! And you know how I love anything made from recycled sweaters… And isn’t that a sweater snake I see (I think that was by Lorigami as well)? ..Much better than my attempt, I think! Apparently I don’t have more pics from this booth, but also I met Becky from Glue & Glitter, and she had adorable lunch bags and aprons. All in all, a very cool booth!

Another fun booth was the one with Love Yu and Lil’ Sprout Knits. These lovely ladies had all kinds of cute. Knitted stuffies — are those pigs? Too cute! And baby knits like these adorable booties from Lil’ Sprout Knits. And more clever stuffies from Love Yu… a totally different take on owls and bunnies. And who couldn’t love a little cupcake?

Moving on from cute to pretty, we have some really neat work by Original Leigh. She does reverse painted pendants and other cool stuff on glass. Very cute designs–Check out the cool little birdie in pink!

And finally, I also liked these pendants by Wingo Designs. These metal pieces have a great simple graphic quality.

• Somehow I had missed this cool Crafting Green contest from Dabbled buds, Chica & Jo! I’m going to enter… and so should you. Hurry, you just have til April 20!!
• Some good ideas on what to do with easter trash at Crafting in a Green World..
• Love these bunnies from old sweaters at Polywog’s Cakewalk
• Recycle Junk Mail into beads (via Whipup)
• Great recycling crafts at Craftypod. Love the VHS tape ideas!
• Love this little bird at Lorigami, and all of the lovely recycled items in her shop!

And finally, a flickr roundup to give you some inspiration for your green crafting… Think Green – Recycled Fashion from around Flickr. Click through the links below the picture for more information on each, and to see the other cool stuff these artists & crafters do with recycled materials!

1. piglinks, 2. Ad Bracelet, 3. Recycled Tunic, 4. RCA Record Comb, 5. a batch of studs – copyright amalia versaci 2009, 6. Madonna Wine tote, 7. Olive and Teal Sundress, 8. recycled plastic earrings, 9. around the world in 80 stamps upcycled vintage bag

Not directly related, but I’ve been meaning to post this:
Blog friend and artist Diana Evans has a new website, Bees For A Cause, where 50% of proceeds of the sale of her cute “Bee” print go to Heifer International to help struggling families earn income through the sale of honey, beeswax and pollen. Every $30 Raised purchases a package of bees, the box and hive, plus training in beekeeping. It’s a little thing, but it shows the direct impact that people can have on others.