I made these St. Patrick’s Day Shrinky Dink necklaces and pins to spiff up St. Patty’s garb just a little bit.

Of all the holidays, St. Patrick’s Day is among the least classy when it comes to accessories and my sweet Irish-home-Chicago is a prime offender — gaudy glitter clover headbands, shiny green and gold beads, beer-logo-strewn clothing, face painting and the like are de rigur. And I’ll say it: if you’re over 23 you are too old to wear these or these, please and thank you.

Now I’m not claiming that my Shrinky Dink necklaces are totally chic but they sure beat clover earrings and leprechaun sweatshirts. Oof.

I made an assortment of Irish-inspired charms including a map of Dublin in both circles and squares and some St. Patrick’s Day Irish sayings – Kiss Me, Irish, Craic, Lucky. I also made a charm from this photo that my sister took on our trip to Ireland – it’s a clover made out of horseshoes that we saw in Dingle. Love.

We all know that Shrinky Dinks are fun to make no matter your age. I still love making Shrinky Dinks like these lucky rabbit’s foot napkin rings. And these St. Patrick’s Day necklaces are just as cute on the kids.

May the road rise up to meet you.

WANNA MAKE IT? Free printable, step-by-step tutorial instructions and supply list for making my St. Patrick’s Day Craft idea — Shrinky Dink Necklaces and Pins with Irish Maps and Sayings –>

Supplies for making Shrinky Dink St. Patrick’s Day Map and Sayings Necklaces or Pins:

• Kathy’s free printable Irish maps and sayings templates (PDF – 2 pages, print the one you prefer)
• Shrinky Dink ink jet printable shrink film
• 1/4″ hole punch
• Xacto knife and self-healing cutting mat (for cutting straight lines)
• Multi-purpose scissors (for cutting circle charms)
• Ball chain necklace or Snake chain necklace
• Pin backs
• VELCRO sticky back tape in clear or white (or other adhesive to attach pin backs)
• Oven
• Brown grocery sack or other paper
• Cookie sheet
• Heavy books to flatten Shrinky Dinks after shrinking
• Computer and ink jet printer (it’s gotta be an ink jet for the Shrinky Dink paper to work, no laser printers)

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:: How to make Shrinky Dink Necklaces and Pins with Irish Maps and Sayings ::

First print my free printable template (pick one of them or both) onto Shrinky Dink ink jet sheets following the Shrinky Dink instructions. You need to use an ink jet printer here – the Shrinky Dink sheets won’t work with laser printers.

Cut out the Shrink Dinks using an Xacto knife, metal ruler and self-healing cutting mat for straight edges, and scissors for the circles.

You’ll notice that they will look a bit pale – that’s by design because when they shrink up, the colors will intensify.

Punch holes for necklaces using a 1/4″ hole puncher. If you want to make pins, skip the hole punching step — and you also should cut off a little of the left green side for the sayings so the pins because pins don’t need the hole punch room.

Punch two holes for the Dublin map — just make sure you aren’t punching too close to the edge because as you know it’s all going to shrink up.

Follow the instructions on your Shrinky Dink shrink film. Mine said to put Shrinky Dinks on a metal cookie sheet with a piece of paper bag on the top for easy removal later.

Now the best part — shrink it! I never get tired of watching this little guys cook and curl and flatten out.

Even when they look a little scary like this cup they end up flattening out in the end.

Elise got into the Shrinky Dinks too — kind right of passage if you ask me.

Here’s what they look like when the come out of the oven. See how the colors are more saturated and bright now?

When they come out of the oven, very quickly slip off the brown grocery cart, place another piece of paper on top of the warm Shrinky Dinks, and flatten with a heavy book like this one I got when I met Martha Stewart.

To make pins, you can either buy pins with adhesive or use VELCRO Sticky Back or other adhesive. I like to use VELCRO because then I can re-use the pin backs for other things when needed and just pop these back on later.

Cut one small piece of VELCRO Sticky Back hook (scratchy) side and loop (soft) side for each pin.

Peel the loop (soft) side backing and place on the pin back.

Peel the backing of the hook (scratchy) side and place on the back of the Shrinky Dink.

Press the VELCRO together to hold. Pin and wear.

To make necklaces, simply thread the chain through the holes. Elise helped me with this part and promptly put them on to wear for the day. My cute little semi-Irish girl.

Did you make it? Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign. Craft and pass it on!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use free pattern and how to step-by-step tutorial for your own personal use. Contact me for any commercial use – this includes etsy sellers.

Comments (5)  | Permalink  | By Kathy on 2/28/2012