Not another keychain/charm, please...

September 2, 2013 6:39 PM

I want to do something with Shrinky Dink but I don't know what. Ideally it would be something (semi?) functional as opposed to the trinkets/ornaments/charms/rings that come up on Google Search. Suggestions, anyone?
posted by bigasthesky to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (12 answers total)

Caviar spoons?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:42 PM on September 2, 2013

Best answer: Tiny QR codes which lead to enigmatic web pages. Epoxy them to lamp posts and back alley walls.

A little curved dagger to help start peeling tangerines if you have short fingernails. Decorate it with ornate citrus leaves and blossoms.

Tokens for a homemade board game.
posted by moonmilk at 7:23 PM on September 2, 2013 [4 favorites]

Wineglass charms?
posted by belladonna at 7:39 PM on September 2, 2013 [3 favorites]

I can't wait to hear some answers! I made tags for my sons backpack, lunch box and a couple little zipper pulls. Because it was addicting, I also made luggage tags for my husband.
posted by beccaj at 8:48 PM on September 2, 2013

Do you knit, or know someone who does? You could make stitch markers (1) (2).

Along the same lines--if you or someone you know sews, you can make decorative heads for straight pins (1) (2) (3).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:51 PM on September 2, 2013

I saw a kit at the pet store today to make dog tag charms from shrinky dinks. Too cute!

You can also glue your designs to little magnets - I did this once and it's both cute functional (and makes a nice gift).
posted by radioamy at 9:34 PM on September 2, 2013

Attach to otherwise boring flat-fronted drawer pulls and knobs.
Teeny tiny calligraphic labels that fit along your bookshelf edges for maximum organization.
Themed travel-friendly chess: draw a design representing each piece on a square that will shrink down to a little smaller than your traveling checkerboard square; go crazy with monsters vs heroes or whatever theme you like.
posted by Mizu at 9:50 PM on September 2, 2013

Shrinky Dinks make great microfluidic arrays.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 10:48 PM on September 2, 2013

Microfluidic Devices
posted by Sophont at 10:51 PM on September 2, 2013

Buttons! (Also themed travel chess is an amaaaazing idea, thanks Mizu!!)
posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:03 AM on September 3, 2013

I make jewelry items with Shrinky Dink (which may be too close to your trinkets/ornaments prohibition) and have made some buttons as well. If you go that route, it's best to remove the buttons before washing; attach the buttons with cotter pins of this type and removal/replacement is a snap. Other possible uses: bookmarks, napkin rings (you have to bend the plastic around a dowel before it cools), Xmas ornaments.
posted by GrammarMoses at 6:22 AM on September 3, 2013

Best answer: Make your own Chihuly sculpture! My kids' class did this and it was pretty awesome.
posted by dawkins_7 at 8:47 AM on September 3, 2013 [7 favorites]