Pretty White Button Mosaic Swan Christmas Ornament Craft

I hope you love this swan, I sure do.  

My obsession with Christmas ornaments continues.  I have made hundreds of shrinky ornaments and now I am just trying to find new ways to use it.  

I am unsure if they have stoped making the Shrinky Dinks brand or what, but I can't find them.  You may have to use another brand like Grafix.  I have not used this brand, but I am sure it works fine.  From what I have read it doesn't shrink as much as Shrinky, but you will have to play with it.  I will probably switch to it if I can't find Shrinky. 

I am not uploading a pattern on this one.   I am sure you can find a drawing that is better than what I drew.  My drawings always have lots of corrections.  So just look around I am sure you will find one. 

I picked a simple form as I thought it would be easier to fill in with buttons(they only make them so small).  Then I decided to use seed beads, gems and small beads.  You could also use glitter.   So, after doing a few of these I suppose you could do any form that you can cut out of the shrink plastic.

That is the nice thing about the shrink plastic.  I can make any form I want.  The plastic is strong so it holds up. 

This is a picture of the back, just so you can see how I colored it.

This is a picture of some of the many of the items I use.  I used Shrinky Dink brand, but I am not sure if they have stopped making this or not.  You can also use Grafix brand.  I have never used this brand, but may have to try it if I can't get more Shrinky.  From what I have read, the Grafix doesn't get as small while baking, so you have to play with the size of my pattern to get it the size you want. 

A list of what I used for this project:

Shrinky Dink Ruff and Ready, 1 sheet

Hole Punch or small drill bit, I usually don't use a hole punch for the hanging hole.  I use          the smallest drill bit I can find and drill after I have finished the ornament.

Orange Pencil

White Pencil

E6000 glue or something similar 

Tooth Picks

Black Sharpie for tracing and coloring

Parchment Paper

Tile or some other heavy, smooth flat item

Flat Spatula

Cutting board or some other surface on which to drill

White Buttons of all sizes

Flat Back gems in White colors - just an assortment of things in White

Rose Beads with Flat Backs - Bought mine at Michael's in the strung bead section, backs      were a little rounded but with enough glue they stuck

Orange Seed beads(or glitter)

White Seed Beads(or glitter)

Black Seed Beads(or glitter)

Flat Back Black Gem

White sequins

White Boa - the small size

How I made this.

1. I traced it onto shrink plastic by laying my drawing  underneath the sheet of shrink plastic with the frosted side up.   I used the sharpie.

2.  I used the sharpie to color in the face and  the orange pencil to color the  beak.  I colored the rest of it white.  I colored it just because I thought some of the plastic might show through.  I wasn't particularly neat when I did it. Just filled it in. 

3.  Cut shape out.

4.  Bake according to directions given by the manufacturer of the product you are using.  When I bake these I put parchment paper on the pan and place the plastic on that, then I put another layer of parchment paper on top of the ornament.  I have a small aluminum pan that came with my toaster over that I put on top of that. This seems to keep the plastic from curling on itself and sticking together.  I use my regular oven for baking these but I know some people use their toaster oven, but since I am using the pan from that oven to put on top of the items being baked that wouldn't work for me. 

5. Now, these things warp sometimes.  I don't know why one does it and one doesn't, even when I am doing the exact same shape.  If this happens I put it back in the oven for 5 minutes and then you can work with it a little to get it in the shape I want.  I don't put the parchment paper or pan on it the 2nd time as it doesn't seem to curl up so much at this point.  But remember, these will sometimes warp and it may never get to the exact shape you want.  Just consider it as having a handmade look and move on. 

6.  I also have a fairly heavy floor tile that I put on top of these when I take them off the pan from baking.  I put it on top and wait a few minutes for it to cool. Anything smooth, heavy and flat should work.   This helps it get flat.

7.  Once baked, use a flat spatula to remove to counter and cover with the heavy object you are using to flatten, like the floor tile I use.  Allow to cool for a few minutes 

8.  After cooling completely I move it to another piece of parchment paper because I know I am going to be sealing and gluing and lots of other things that make a mess.

9.  I used a tooth pick to spread the E6000 glue where ever I was putting a button or gem. I squirted out a glob of glue on the parchment paper to begin and used the tooth pick to dab it on.   I started with the eye, just use the tooth pick to put a dab of glue where you want the eye and affix the black gem.  I then started in the middle and adhered the larger buttons or gems by applying glue to the shrink plastic and placing the items down.  I worked my way out to the edges and up the neck.   Don't worry, you will fill in any blank spaces with the seed beads, glitter, small beads or whatever you have decided to use.  Use the orange and black seed beads to fill in the face and beak.   I would stop and let things dry, so they wouldn't move around and then go back and fill in some more until it was filled in the way I wanted it. 

10.  I just smeared the glue on the spots that were blank and poured the seed beads on, pressed them in with my finger and poured off any excess.  You will have to play with what works best for you. 

11.  You may want to leave 2 blank spaces for the hanging string.  If you do it this way, remember to use a hole punch to make the holes before you bake it.  Or you can drill through those spaces.   I just drilled right through buttons and the shrink plastic, but I did it slowly, so I wouldn't loosen what was glued down.   If I did loosen it, I just  re glued it.  You  just have to plan how you will handle this.  But I managed so I'm sure you will too.   Remember to put something under the swan so you don't drill through your counter. 

12.  Make sure all is dry and firm, I rubbed my finger over everything to make sure it was firmly affixed.  If it felt loose, I used a tooth pick to add more glue. 

13.  To add the boa, put swan on it's front.  Cut about a 3 inch piece of boa.  Add E6000 glue along edge of tail.  Press boa onto back of swan.   I tore a small piece of parchment paper and place it over the glued down boa.  I then place a small heavy bottle over this and allowed the glue to dry. 

15.   Put a string through the hole in the top, tie a knot and you are done.   I actually made 2 holes on the body of the flamingo for hanging.  I just thought it would hang better. 

Button Mosaic Shrink Plastic Flamingo

I have seen a lot of the button mosaic art lately and it gave me an idea.   Could I do a version of this with shrink plastic?  And, as I seem to be on a flamingo high, I thought I would use the same drawing for the frosted glass one for this flamingo.  

Now as I said, it usually comes back to Christmas for me.  And I thought, wouldn't it be cool to do a button mosaic Christmas ornament.  

I picked a simple form as I thought it would be easier to fill in with buttons(they only make them so small).  Then I decided to use seed beads, gems and small beads.  You could also use glitter.   So, after doing a few of these I suppose you could do any form that you can cut out of the shrink plastic.

That was the nice thing about the shrink plastic.  I can make any form I want.  The plastic is strong so it holds up. 

This is a picture of the back, just so you can see how I colored it.

This is a picture of some of the many of the items I use.  I used Shrinky Dink brand, but I am not sure if they have stopped making this or not.  You can also use Grafix brand.  I have never used this brand, but may have to try it if I can't get more Shrinky.  From what I have read, the Grafix doesn't get as small while baking, so you have to play with the size of my pattern to get it the size you want. 

A list of what I used for this project:

Shrinky Dink Ruff and Ready, 1 sheet

Hole Punch or small drill bit, I usually don't use a hole punch for the hanging hole.  I use          the smallest drill bit I can find and drill after I have finished the ornament.

Pink Pencil

White Pencil

E6000 glue or something similar 

Tooth Picks

Black Sharpie for tracing and coloring

Parchment Paper

Tile or some other heavy, smooth flat item

Flat Spatula

Cutting board or some other surface on which to drill

 4 Long Eye Pins - I think that is what they are called - for the legs

Pink Buttons of all sizes

Flat Back gems in Pink colors - just an assortment of things in pink

Rose Beads with Flat Backs - Bought mine at Michael's in the strung bead section, backs      were a little rounded but with enough glue they stuck

Pink Seed beads

White Seed Beads

Black Seed Beads

Flat Back Black Gem

Small Black Beads for making the legs

2 Jump Rings

Pliers

I think you should be able to print this out and use as a pattern

 I hand drew this, I think you can probably tell.   You may  have to adjust his size if you are using a different brand of shrink plastic. At this size, after you make it and add legs, it is about 7 or 8 inches high including the legs.   Don't trace the wing.

How I made this.

1. I traced it onto shrink plastic by laying my drawing  underneath the sheet of shrink plastic with the frosted side up.   

2.  I used the sharpie to color in the tip of beak and a white pencil to finish beak.  I colored the rest of it pink.  I colored it just because I thought some of the plastic might show through.  I wasn't particularly neat when I did it. Just filled it in. 

3.  Cut shape out.

4.  Bake according to directions given by the manufacturer of the product you are using.  When I bake these I put parchment paper on the pan and place the plastic on that, then I put another layer of parchment paper on top of the ornament.  I have a small aluminum pan that came with my toaster over that I put on top of that. This seems to keep the plastic from curling on itself and sticking together.  I use my regular oven for baking these but I know some people use their toaster oven, but since I am using the pan from that oven to put on top of the items being baked that wouldn't work for me. 

5. Now, these things warp sometimes.  I don't know why one does it and one doesn't, even when I am doing the exact same shape.  If this happens I put it back in the oven for 5 minutes and then you can work with it a little to get it in the shape I want.  I don't put the parchment paper or pan on it the 2nd time as it doesn't seem to curl up so much at this point.  But remember, these will sometimes warp and it may never get to the exact shape you want.  Just consider it as having a handmade look and move on. 

6.  I also have a fairly heavy floor tile that I put on top of these when I take them off the pan from baking.  I put it on top and wait a few minutes for it to cool. Anything smooth, heavy and flat should work.   This helps it get flat.

7.  Once baked, use a flat spatula to remove to counter and cover with the heavy object you are using to flatten, like the floor tile I use.  Allow to cool for a few minutes 

8.  After cooling completely I move it to another piece of parchment paper because I know I am going to be sealing and gluing and lots of other things that make a mess.

9.  I used a tooth pick to spread the E6000 glue where ever I was putting a button or gem. I squirted out a glob of glue on the parchment paper to begin.   I started with the eye, just use the tooth pick to put a dab of glue where you want the eye and affix the black gem.  I then started in the middle and adhered the larger buttons or gems by applying glue to the shrink plastic and placing the items down.  I worked my way out to the edges and up the neck.   Don't worry, you will fill in any blank spaces with the seed beads, glitter, small beads or whatever you have decided to use.  Use the white and black seed beads to fill in the face and beak.   I would stop and let things dry, so they wouldn't move around and then go back and fill in some more until it was filled in the way I wanted it. 

10.  I just smeared the glue on the spots that were blank and poured the seed beads on, pressed them in with my finger and poured off any excess.  You will have to play with what works best for you. 

11.  You may want to leave 2 blank spaces so you can drill through the plastic for adding legs.   And think about where you will be putting the string for hanging.   I just drilled right through buttons and the shrink plastic, but I did it slowly, so I wouldn't loosen what was glued down.   If I did loosen it, I just  re glued it.  You  just have to plan how you will handle this.  But I managed so I'm sure you will too.   Remember to put something under the flamingo so you don't drill through your counter. 

12.  Make sure all is dry and firm, I rubbed my finger over everything to make sure it was firmly affixed.  If it felt loose, I used a tooth pick to add more glue. 

13.  To make legs, I strung some small black beads, about 8 or 9 onto one of the eye pins and made a loop at the straight end.  I filled another eye pin and made a loop on the end of that one  that I used that loop to attach to the other eye pin.  Make 2 of these. 

14.  Put jump rings through the holes you made on the body of the flamingo.  Attach the legs you made.

15.   Put a string through the hole in the top, tie a knot and you are done.   I actually made 2 holes on the body of the flamingo for hanging.  I just thought it would hang better. 

I will be adding some other button mosaic ornaments.  Just got to get the pictures. 

Shrink Plastic with Dangling Legs and Fluffy Tail

OK, here is another one.  A pretty pink flamingo with dangling legs and a fluffy tail.

I hope you can see the sparkles 

A list of what I usually use

Shrinky Dink Ruff and Ready, 2 sheets

Hole Punch or small drill bit, I usually don't use a hole punch for the hanging hole.  I use the smallest drill bit I can find and drill after I have finished the ornament.

Colored Pencils

Mod Podge Gloss

Sparkle Glaze

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Small Paint Brush

E6000 glue or something similar if you are gluing rather than melting the 2 parts together

Black Sharpie for tracing

Regular pencil

Parchment Paper,

Tile

Flat Spatula

Cutting board or some other surface to drill on

Jump rings

Black Feather Boa

Pliers for pulling jump ring open and closed

I think you should be able to print these out and use as a pattern

 I hand drew this so  you may also have to adjust his size if you are using a different brand of shrink plastic. At this size, after you make it and add legs, it is about 8 inches high. 

 I want to say a few things about coloring and cutting this out of the shrink plastic.  

1.  I usually trace these onto the shrink plastic with a black sharpie, on this one, don't trace the semi- triangular area at  the the base of the flamingo's neck.  This area is going to be left clear, so at most trace it lightly with a regular pencil and then erase before baking

2. The triangular area inside the legs doesn't need to be cut out, it will turn mostly clear after baking and sealing. 

4.  If you are using Grafix, you are going to have to play around with this.  I haven't tried it with that brand and from what I have read it doesn't shrink as much as the Dink's brand.

5.  I use whatever colored pencils I have, but be warned, the darker colors in particular tend to smear.  So, when coloring, do light colors first and then take care with the darker colors that you don't smear them into the lighter ones while coloring.  

6.  Also be careful while cutting that you don't smear the colors around too much. 

How I made this.

1.  Traced it onto shrink plastic by laying my drawing  underneath the sheet of shrink plastic with the frosted side up.  I followed the steps above.  I used 1 sheet for the body and 1 sheet for the legs and neck.   If you have scraps laying around you could cut the neck and legs out of those. 

2.  I used 3 different shades of pink to color the body.  I started with the darkest on the outer edges and went lighter towards the inside on the wing.   I sort of did the same thing on the neck and blended it all in together.  I used white pencil on his face and a black sharpie for the tip of the beak, eye and legs.

5.  Cut all the shapes out.

6.  Bake according to directions given by the manufacturer of the product you are using.  When I bake these I put parchment paper on the pan and place the plastic on that, then I put another layer of parchment paper on top of the ornament.  I have a small aluminum pan that came with my toaster over that I put on top of that. This seems to keep the plastic from curling on itself and sticking together.  I use my regular oven for baking these but I know some people use their toaster oven, but since I am using the pan from that oven to put on top of the items being baked that wouldn't work for me. 

7. Now, these things warp sometimes.  I don't know why one does it and one doesn't, even when I am doing the exact same shape.  If this happens I put it back in the oven for 5 minutes and then you can work with it a little to get it in the shape I want.  I don't put the parchment paper or pan on it the 2nd time as it doesn't seem to curl up so much at this point.  But remember, these will sometimes warp and it may never get to the exact shape you want.  Just consider it as having a handmade look and move on. 

8  I also have a fairly heavy floor tile that I put on top of these when I take them off the pan from baking.  I put it on top and wait a few minutes for it to cool. Anything smooth, heavy and flat should work.   This helps it get flat.

9.  Once all pieces are baked, remove the legs and put under whatever you are using to make it lie flat, like the tile I use.   Line  up  the clear, semi-triangular section at the end his neck with where you want it on the body.  Gently slide them back in the oven so they don't slide around and melt together in a way you don't want.   I bake them again for 5 minutes, open the oven, use a flat spatula to press them together, then flip it over and bake for another 5 minutes, press again then take off pan and put under the tile I use.  I guess you can use E6000 glue to glue them together, but I like melting them together. 

10.  After cooling completely I move it to another piece of parchment paper because I know I am going to be sealing and gluing and lots of other things that make a mess.

11.  I work on the rough side of these things.  I think the item looks more like what I intended.  It also means I get 2 shiny sides, so all is protected.

12.  I used my sparkle glaze to paint his body and neck.  You could just use Mod Podge and glitter to add this if you want or not do it at all.  Don't smear the pink into the white while you are doing this.

13.  Use Mod Podge to seal face and then do the rest of the body and legs.   Since the face is white I try not to smear the pink into it.  I have found if I don't Mod Podge the whole thing before I put the Dimensional Magic on that the colors sometimes lift off and run.

14.  After the Mod Podge has dried. I then used the Dimensional Magic and covered the whole thing including the legs.  You are going to have to watch out for bubbles and if you get one just use a pin or tooth pick to pop them or move to edge to get rid of it.  It is usually pretty good about staying on the item, but if I really go overboard and put to much on it has run over the side so use discretion.   Let it dry, don't move it around.  This can take several hours.  You can usually tell it is dry if it no longer has that hazy, milky look.   This is another reason I don't use a hole punch as it would just fill in with this stuff.  Once dry you can decide if it needs another coat, I wouldn't recommend more than two coats as it seems to crackle a little on me after that point.

15.  Use the drill to make a hole at the top of the legs and then a hole where you want it to dangle from the body.  Make another hole or holes(sometimes to get it to hang correctly I make two holes to put the hanging string through) for the string for hanging.     I placed a plastic cutting board under it and drilled on top of that so I wouldn't drill my counters. 

16.  Use a jump ring to attach the legs to the body.

17.  I used E6000 glue to add black feather boa to the tail.  I glued it on the back.

18.   Put a string through the hole in the top, tie a knot and you are done.   

First of Many Shrink Plastic projects to be published

I do a lot of crafting and it is usually something to do with Christmas ornaments.  I will sometimes work on other things but it all seems to come back to Christmas.

I have tried ETSY and while I sold things, I found I have more joy in coming up with new things than having to cater to what someone might want to buy.  I want to make things that please me.  I want to make whatever, and do it just for the bliss of it.

So, I have been going nuts with Shrinky Dinks.  I've realized I can't seem to find them anymore so I may have to switch to Grafix brand.  Don't know if they have stopped making them or what. I know  they were sold to Alex Toys, but other than that haven't heard much.   So if anyone can tell me what is going on  I would love to hear.

I don't think this Santa is the best work of art but it is the one I just finished.  I will be posting more that I hope you will like.

If no one looks at these, I am ok with that, just felt the need to share.  I will post them on my Pinterest account, so maybe someone will see them there.

This is an ornament I made.  I hand drew the this little man.  I had to make him in two parts.  I made the bottom with a portion left clear so I could meld them together

These are the items I used for this project:

Shrinky Dink Ruff and Ready 2 sheets

Hole Punch or small drill bit, I usually don't use a hole punch for the hanging hole.  I use the smallest drill bit I can find and drill after I have finished the ornament.

Colored Pencils

Mod Podge Gloss

Sparkle Glaze

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Small Paint Brush

E6000 glue or something similar if you are gluing rather than melting the 2 parts together

Black Sharpie for tracing

Regular pencil

Parchment Paper,

Tile

Flat Spatula

Cutting board or some other surface to drill on

Now, I hand drew this, so it is far from perfect.  You may also have to adjust his size if you are using a different brand of shrink plastic.  And, when I drew his left hand I had plans to hang something from it with a chain but changed my mind so you may want to draw this as more of him waving.  I think anyone could do this, so not a big deal

 I want to say a few things about coloring and cutting this out of the shrink plastic.  

1.  I usually trace these onto the shrink plastic with a black sharpie, but for this one, don't trace the bottom of Santa's shirt with the sharpie, just line it up with the bottom of the plastic.  that way you won't have a line splitting Santa's outfit.

2.  For his pants, don't trace around the little trapezoid area, that is to be left blank.  I usually trace lightly around this with a pencil and erase it once I am done but before baking.   You want this section to be clear so when you meld them or glue them together it won't show through.  

3.  Also, don't use the black sharpie to trace the line at the top of his pants and at the bottom of the clear section.  Use the pencil that you are going to color the pants with or a regular pencil and erase the line.

4.  If you are using Grafix, you are going to have to play around with this.  I haven't tried it with that brand and from what I have read it doesn't shrink as much as the Dink's brand.

How I made this.

1.  Traced it onto shrink platic by laying my drawing  underneath the sheet of shrink plastic with the frosted side up.  I followed the steps above.  I used 1 sheet for the Santa top and 1 sheet for his pants.

2.  I colored his face and beard first  and then was careful to color in  the rest of his outfit.  The darker colors tend to smear  so be careful where you put your hand.

3.  Don't worry about going over the black lines in his beard, they will show through the white pencil when you bake this.

4.  I added a little pink on his cheeks and onto his beard after coloring his face for a little more character.

5.  Cut both shapes out, once again be careful about smearing the red color onto the white.

6.  Bake according to directions given by the manufacturer of the product you are using.  When I bake these I put parchment paper on the pan and place the plastic on that, then I put another layer of parchment paper on top of the ornament.  I have a small aluminum pan that came with my toaster over that I put on top of that. This seems to keep the plastic from curling on itself and sticking together.  I use my regular oven for baking these but I know some people use their toaster oven, but since I am using the pan from that oven to put on top of the items being baked that wouldn't work for me. 

7. Now, these things warp sometimes.  I don't know why one does it and one doesn't, even when I am doing the exact same shape.  If this happens I put it back in the oven for 5 minutes and then you can work with it a little to get it in the shape I want.  I don't put the parchment paper or pan on it the 2nd time as it doesn't seem to curl up so much at this point. 

8  I also have a fairly heavy floor tile that I put on top of these when I take them off the pan from baking.  I put it on top and wait a few minutes for it to cool.  This helps it get flat.  Be careful with the dark colors.

Picture of back so you can see where they have melted together.

9.  Once both pieces are baked, I line them up with the clear trapezoid section under his belly.  I bake them again for 5 minutes, open the oven, use a flat spatula to press them together, then flip it over and bake for another 5 minutes, press again then take off pan and put under the tile I use.  I guess you can use E6000 glue to glue them together, but I like melting them together.  

10.  After cooling completely I move it to another piece of parchment paper because I know I am going to be sealing and gluing and lots of other things that make a mess.

11.  I work on the rough side of these things.  I think the item looks more like what I intended.  It also means I get 2 shiny sides, so all is protected.

I hope you can see the sparkle in his beard.

12.  I used my sparkle glaze to paint his beard and ball on his hat.  You could just use mod podge and glitter to add this if you want or not do it at all.  Don't smear the red while you are doing this.

13.  Use Mod Podge to seal face and beard, ball and any other very light colors.   I do this first and let it dry so they won't run together.  Then I paint the rest of it with the Mod Podge, being careful not to smudge the darker colors into the white or lighter colors.

14.  After the Mod Podge has dried. I then use the Dimensional Magic and cover the whole thing.  You are going to have to watch out for bubbles and if you get one just use a pin or tooth pick to pop them or move to edge to get rid of it.  It is usually pretty good about staying on the item, but if I really go overboard and put to much on it has run over the side so use discretion.   Let it dry, don't move it around.  You can usually tell it is dry if it no longer has that hazy, milky look.   This is another reason I don't use a hole punch as it would just fill in with this stuff.  Once dry you can decide if it needs another coat, I wouldn't recommend more than two coats as it seems to crackle a little on me after this point.

15.  I added a snowflake I had to his little hand with E6000 glue. 

16.  I used  my small drill bit and drill to make the hole.  I placed a plastic cutting board under it and drilled on top of that so I wouldn't drill my counters.  Put a string through the hole, tied it and done.

I know I should have taken pictures while I was making this, but I never think of that.  I will be posting several I have already completed, but I will try to remember to take picture of those along the way.