This is the bracelet instruction sheet I pass on to my customers... Wine charms are just as simple, just remember to punch a hole with your 1/8" circle punch before shrinking for your jump ring.
PolyShrink Bracelets
1. If you use Stazon ink pads you do not need to sand the PolyShrink. Craft pads will work though they are not as bright. You just need to try out each color and sand the PolyShrink using fine sandpaper to see if that helps.
2. Cut as close to the stamped image as possible because excess PolyShrink will show.
3. If you decide to chalk the PolyShrink, know that the color darkens as it shrinks. To get a light pastel color, you need to put very little chalk onto the PolyShrink.
4. Put the trimmed pieces onto a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil. You don’t have to leave every much space between each piece.
5. Bake the PolyShink at 350 degrees for about 3 minutes. You can use your oven or toaster oven. And, you may also use the embossing heat gun, however, you can only shrink one item at a time. (Temperatures may vary, if the oven isn’t hot enough the PolyShrink will not shrink.)
6. Once the pieces have finished shrinking, tap them lightly with a spatula to flatten them down as much as possible. Depending on your design, you may need to “uncurl�? your piece; this is best done right away while still very hot.
7. After the pieces are cool, use the Zig Painty (gold or silver tip) on the edge to give the piece a more finished and expensive look. You may have to go around the edge more than once to get the right amount of color.
8. Once the edge is dry, glue to the bracelet using super glue (or Crystal Effects).
9. Finish by applying Crystal Effects to give the pieces that shiny tile look. Apply Crystal Effects by squeezing a small drop on the top and spreading it around gently on the top using the tip of the bottle, squeezing out a little more if necessary. Be sure to go to the edge of your piece but do not let the Crystal Effects run over the side and be careful not to rub the surface of the piece because it might smear the ink. Look for air bubbles; use a needle or the bottle tip to get rid of them before letting it dry. It will take 12-24 hours to dry.
10. You can add beads to your bracelet. If you do, it is much easier to add them using needle nose pliers before you attached the pieces to the bracelet.
11. Have fun and enjoy experimenting with PolyShrink.
Sources: PolyShrink, Stazon pads, Zig Painty marker and Crystal Effects were all purchased from Stampin’ Up!
Bracelets were purchased from
www.eloxite.com under browse products, bracelets, linked, and choose the second one down. They are generally $1.29-1.40 each and you will get a discount if you purchase them by the dozen.
wine charms & bracelets
