Shrink Plastic Flip-Flops Charms/ Earrings

I always liked tiny things. Miniatures, small scale models, baby animals, free samples that look like tiny replicas of the actual product... The smaller the cuter, I'll say!

Now, when I saw the "Big and Small" Contest, the first thing that came to my mind was Shrinky Dinks. I mean, what better translates the concept of big/small than to make something and then shrink it until it becomes much, much smaller? Like... let's say, flip-flops! Teeny-tiny flip-flops that you can wear as earring, or attach to your cellphone.

I mean, can it get any cuter than that? :)

• Shrink Plastic Sheet (such as Shrinky Dinks)
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 3mm/5mm Hole Puncher
• Acrylic / Permanent Markers (I used Posca brand)
• Plastic Coated Twist Ties
• Super Glue Gel
• Earring findings and/or components

Draw and color your flip-flops on the rough side of the sheet. (Each flip-flop is around 6x2.5 cm)

Carefully cut around your flip-flops, and punch holes for the straps (one 5mm hole on top, and two 3mm holes on the lower half sides).

Now, bake your shrinky according to the package instructions. (The way I do it is to preheat oven at 325°F / 160°C, line the tray with baking paper, bake it for about a minute until completely flattens back out. I just love watching the magic happen!)

FYI, it shrinked from its original size (6x2.5 cm) to 2.5x1 cm after baking.

Cut a piece of twist tie (about 6 cm long), fold it gently in half and pull away the extremities, in such a way to create like a V with a small loop in the middle. 

Insert the loop (folded center) in the top hole (the large one) of the flip-flop. Then thread the ends through the lateral holes, pulling and adjusting as needed. Trim off the excess coming out the back (Don't cut the loop on top, only the loose ends!).

Pull the sides out of their holes, apply a drop of gel glue and reinsert them. No wire should come out the back, besides for the tiny loop in the top hole. Give a light pull to check if the ends are fixed in place, and apply some extra glue on the back side if needed.

With that, your flip-flops are basically done.

(Remember how I emphasized the top hole loop in the last step? So, here is why we need it:)

Attach a jump ring to the twist tie loop that comes out the back. I actually used an eye pin to make a double connector.

Attach it to the fish hooks or charm strap, and that's it! You can apply a tiny drop of gel glue (using a toothpick) in the larger hole, to make sure the flip-flops strap stays in place nicely.

I hope you enjoy making this (and let me know if you do).