I remember being a kid and making my own shrinky dink handprint keychains. I love doing a lot of the nostalgic crafts with my daughter now that I’m older and getting to share that with her. If you haven’t experienced shrinky dinks before, let me show you how fun and easy it is! These shrinky dink handprint keychains are great for personalized gifts for holidays, mother’s and father’s day, grandparents’ day, or any day just to give a sweet gift. Make them with your BFF, or for yourself!
If you’re looking for other cute personalized gift ideas, look over at these tutorials:
- How to make Rainbow Pony Bead Keychains – https://tengemsdiy.com/how-to-make-rainbow-pony-bead-keychains/
- How to make Shrinky Dink Rings – https://tengemsdiy.com/how-to-make-shrinky-dink-rings/
- How to make Personalized DIY Painted Flower Pots – https://tengemsdiy.com/how-to-make-personalized-diy-painted-flower-pots/
- How to make DIY Glitter and Canvas Wall Art – https://tengemsdiy.com/how-to-make-diy-canvas-and-glitter-wall-art/
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Supplies you’ll need for your Shrinky Dink Handprint Keychains:
- Shrinky Dink sheets – https://amzn.to/3NSxCgG
- Acrylic paint – https://amzn.to/3TEhpgJ
- Paint brush – https://amzn.to/3A1ZFVx – I like the wider ones for this project
- Hole punch – https://amzn.to/3NV9oTd
- Scissors – https://amzn.to/3fTRyDy – I love Fiskars brand.
- Jump rings – https://amzn.to/3TEhEZb
- Split rings (keyrings) – https://amzn.to/3WQgSuz
- Jewelry pliers – https://amzn.to/3X26pwz
- Parchment paper – https://amzn.to/3UM8DOj
- Baking sheet – https://amzn.to/3A1NyHQ
Step one: What color will your handprint be?
This is your one of a kind handprint! Pick your favorite color, the first color that comes to your mind, or the favorite color of the person you might be gifting your keychain to.
Give your whole palm an even coat of your acrylic paint. Whichever color you choose, it’s going to look great! Lay your palm flat on one of your shrinky dink sheets, pressing firmly, then lift it straight up off the sheet.
Allow the paint time to dry. Luckily acrylic paint dries fairly quickly.
Step two: Cutting out and hole-punching your Shrinky Dink Handprint Keychains
After the painted handprints are all dry, cut them out. This is a grown up job and the scissors and plastic can be sharp.
Use your hole puncher to make a hole in the shrinky dink handprint. It needs to be close to the edge so you can fasten a jump ring to it later.
Step three: Shrinking the Shrinky Dinks!
Heat your oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit.
Prepare a baking sheet by covering with a later of parchment paper. Place your shrinky dinks on the parchment paper color side up. Arrange the handprints so there is at least one inch between them, as they might move around slightly. Place them in the oven for 1-3 minutes and watch them shrink!
Sometimes a shrinky dinks are liable to curl and become wavy as they shrink in the oven. You can use a fork or an oven mitt to fix the shrinky dink and help flatten it out. If necessary, place the shrinky dink back in the oven for a minute so it can become soft again.
Allow the tiny handprints to cool.
Step four: Completing the cutest Shrinky Dink Handprint Keychains!
You know those little rings that attach a keyring to whatever is on the keychain? I actually had to google the specific name while writing this tutorial. Used them a hundred times for a hundred different crafts, never really knew what to call them. They are jump rings. The jump rings hold together the handprint and the keyring (split ring).
Use your jewelry pliers and your hand to open the jump ring. Put the handprint shrinky dink on to the ring, as well as a split ring (keyring). Close the jump ring with the pliers. If you try to use your hand to close the jump ring, it will hurt. I even suggest, if you have two pairs of pliers, use one in each hand instead of your bare hands to open and close the jump ring.
You finished your Shrinky Dink Handprint Keychains and they’re beautiful! Share them with everyone you like and love! Teach someone how to make them. Art is about enjoyment. If you love it, do it often.
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