Valentine Charm DIY

The 80’s called and they want your craft back! My Valentine Charm DIY is made from the good ‘ol shrinky plastic material I used to make crafts with as a kid… in the 80’s. It’s fun. You color the plastic, bake it, and it’s a magical little charm! I almost forgot about this stuff until I ran across this Shrink Film at the craft store a few months back. It’s still as magical as it was back in 1989.

Supplies:

– Shrink Film

– Valentine Charm printable

– Jump Rings

– necklace chain

– Sharpie Gold Paint Pen

– baking parchment paper

– scissors

– hole punch

– oven

Directions:

1. Print out the Valentine Charm printable. Note: your charm will shrink 50% (you can adjust the print size of the words if you want a smaller charm). 

2. Place a piece of Shrink Film over the printable, and trace the words with your Sharpie Gold Paint Pen. Let dry.

3. Use your scissors to cut out around your words. Be sure to leave a little space for the hole punch, and maybe an outline from the gold pen? Use the hole punch to cut one or two holes. Optional: Add a gold frame with your paint pen. I got a little crazy and geometric with one of my “let’s just be friends” charms. 

4. Preheat your oven somewhere between 300 and 350 degrees fahrenheit (my Shrink Film bakes great at 330). Place a piece of parchment paper on your baking sheet. Put the cut out words on the paper, then lay a piece of parchment over the words. Bake for 2 – 3 minutes (I usually take mine out at 2.5 minutes). Let the words cool completely.

5. Put your jump rings through the punched out charm holes, string on a necklace chain, AND you’re done!

Gift this to your favorite Valentine (or not so favorite…). I think the “Let’s just be friends.” charm is perfect for your best buddy.

– Chelsey