how to make homemade buttons???

Hello, everyone I saw in the scrapnart mag how people make their own buttons and they were using shrinky dink wrap and I wondered if that is the same as regular shrink wrap like you use on baskets. Does anyone have any info on how to do these and where to purchase the wrap. Or any other ideas on how to make buttons. tia

Check out toofclnr's blog - she makes clay buttons and they are awesome.

http://www.scrapbook.com/blogs/109230/view/106 201.html

http://www.shrinkydinks.com/

You can also make them out of polymer clay

I made some "buttons" by layering patterned paper on cardboard from a cereal box (I cut both with a circle punch) then making holes in them with an eyelet setter. Then I inked the edges. They were really easy to make.

Hey Shannon that's a great idea! TFS!! I've made the clay kind but these sound easier !!!!!!

Thanks! I got the idea from Cheeryscrap.

April, you can come over to the forums at Scrap 'N Art and talk to Kim (she made the buttons) yourself if you like All our DT members are active daily in the forum to answer any and all questions about their articles and art!
toofclnr is also on our DT, so you can talk to her about her buttons as well if you like

NO, shrinky dinks are nothing like the shrink wrap you use on baskets. Shrink plastic is more of like a transparency sheet.

wow, toofclnr's buttons are adorable! i would love to be able to mess around and make just a few to match my lo's!!

I just made Shrinky Dink photo buttons for a mini-book and I learned a few valuable lessons as I went through about 6 or 8 iterations of the buttons before I finally got them right. Most of these instructions I eventually found on the FAQ page on http://www.shrinkydinks.com, but here you go:

1) You really have to make your photo unbelieveably light on the screen to get a decent photo on the shrunk button. Because first, it will print darker on the Shrinky Dink plastic than it appears on the screen because the ink will bleed, even if you set it to transparency mode. And second, when you shrink the plastic the inks contract and mix, and if there is even remotely too much ink on there you end up with a yucky brown/black blob on your button.

2) Even though you can shrink your Shrinky Dinks with a heat gun, don't. I found it almost impossible to get it completely smooth, and I ended up using all manner of metal and silicone implements to try to get it to squish down flat, which only ended up distorting or defacing the button. A flat (no air space) cookie sheet with a Silpat mat in the oven worked like a charm 100% of the time.

3) When you have to make at least 30 buttons to get 4 good ones, a two inch circular punch really pays off. I had previously sworn never to buy punches because they are bulky and I have a Craft Robo for cutting any shape I want, but the CR doesn't cut shrink plastic, and besides the punch is just so easy.

4) When the Shrinky Dinks folks say they have not gotten good results from Epson printers, they mean it. I have a high quality Epson photo printer and I just could not get a decent button. But fortunately I also have a cheap HP officejet, which actually produced pretty good shrinky dinks for shrinking.

5) When they tell you to use certain sealers, like Krylon Crystal Clear, don't make any substitutions. First I thought I would be cool and use Diamond Glaze to give it a nice gloss with dimension, but that somehow really yellowed on the buttons. Then I tried a matte spray sealer that I already had, Preserve Your Memories II. But that one seemed to bring out the red in everyone's faces. Finally I went to Ms and bought Krylon Crystal Clear and it worked great and did not discolor the button.

Heilmann 4 - cover By Kathy Heilmann

Wow, Kathy,
Thanks for the great info! Just think that all of the frustration you went through, helped all of the rest of us out.

Great info Kathy! Thanks so much!

That's such a brilliant idea! I need to keep that in mind would love to try it sometime. The info on printing photos is brilliant as well, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the info. I have been really wanting to do something with shrinky dinks.

One way to make them is to cut paper to whatever size and shape you want it to be, poke the holes with a piercing tool/needle, and then cover the top with liquid glass(CTMH) or Glossy accents(I think ranger makes this? That liquid glass/glossy accents will give it dimension and make it shiny.

Thanks Hev. That's a great idea.

I would have suggested using Sculpy clay. My friend does a ton of stuff with it, and it's adorable.

You are very welcome! I stay away from clay, I don't need another addiction! :smile :

• shanbah Said:

Thanks Shannon,

Heart Buttons By Mix-on The Memories

Thanks for all of the great info. I finally received my package of shrinky dinks today and I will play tonight. hehehehe

I'm so gonna have to try to make my own! lol

If you are having issues with inkjet printing on Shrink Plastic--you might want to try The Perfect Printing Pouch.

This shows Shrinky Dinks (non-inkjet compatible ones) with a comparison of printing as is and also printing on plastic that was wiped first with the pouch.

Shrink Plastic printed with and without the Perfect Printing Pouch By Scraperfect