Hello Kitty Toggle Clasp

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• Step 1

  IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE PROCEEDING!

  Before you start anything, you need to know a few things.

  Different brands of shrink plastic shrink at different rates! Some may shrink to 1/2 the size, some may shrink to 1/3. I suggest that you cut a small piece and shrink it beforehand to gauge how small the plastic will shrink.

  This pattern is meant to be only a rough guide; you may have to change a few things if you plan on using different materials.

  For example, for the bracelet, I used regular old thread so that's going to be WAY thinner than, let's say, cord. If you want to use something else, you have to make a few adjustments by making the square opening on the right side of Kitty's face wider to be able to fit the bow and the cord through the hole.

  Similarly, you'll have the make the circular holes on the left of Kitty's face and in the bow bigger to be able to thread through cord.

  I strongly suggest you make the bow first so you'll know how big you need to make the holes and if you mess up, you won't waste as much shrink plastic.

• Step 2

  Download the pattern and trace it onto the shrink plastic with a pencil.

  I used the frosted shrink plastic, or the kind that's roughened on one side so it takes the coloring better.

  For some reason my scanner was acting up so the scale is probably wrong. The Hello kitty face is about two inches across and the bow, one inch.

  But like I said, the pattern is just a rough guide and if you want to make it bigger, go for it! If you want to make it smaller, I won't stop you, but I'll be difficult haha.

• Step 3

  Color it in with water coloring agents you have: sharpies, markers, color pencils, acrylic or other water-based paints.

  *CAUTION*
  Don't use any oil-based coloring agents such as oil pastels or oil paints because it might catch fire in the oven!

• Step 4

  Carefully cut out your Hello Kitty with a pair of scissors.

• Step 5

  This is the most difficult part.

  Using an Xacto knife, carefully cut out the shaded areas.

  IMPORTANT!
  Keep in mind that the circular holes will need to be big enough for you to thread in whatever material you're using for your bracelet, or necklace, or anklet.

  The length of the rectangular hole needs to be the same length as the width of your bow.

  The width of the rectangular hole needs to be wide enough to pass through the thickness of the shrunken plastic AND you choice of jewelry making material when it is threaded through the bow.

  If you've made the bow beforehand like I suggested, you'll know exactly how long and how wide to make the hole.

• Step 6

  After painstakingly cutting everything out, pop your shrink plastic into the oven at 350 F.

  Make sure to stay there and watch it the whole time for the process will be fairly quick.

  I used a small toaster oven; they work fine too!

• Step 7

  As soon as the plastic has stopped curling and laid flat, turn off the heat but leave it in the oven to cool.

• Step 8

  Once it's cooled, you can take it out and now use it in whatever jewelry you want!

  If you have questions, feel free to message me! I'll be happy to answer!

Comments

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Cat Morley · London, GB · 1432 projects 29th August 2012

This is such a genius idea!

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Kitty · Okotoks, Alberta, CA · 18 projects 22nd August 2012

Very Awesome!!

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