PolyShrink Techniques Gallery

Doming PolyShrink
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PolyShrink is very pliable when it is hot. Doming is an easy technique that dresses up even the simplest designs.

A wooden drapery rod finial makes an ideal forming surface for doming. They can be found at home/hardware stores. Mount the finial on a block of wood so that it sits upright.

Use any model of embossing tool to heat the PolyShrink . The piece to be domed should be shrunk before doming. The piece can be transferred to the finial for the final heating as soon as it is shrunk, or you can start with a completely cold piece.

Related pages:

Domed Earrings Project

1

Set the pre-shrunk PolyShrink piece on top of the wooden finial. This piece will be used for a bracelet, so there are holes punched on each side for attaching jump rings.

2

Heat with an embossing heat tool. Aim straight down with the gun to help keep the piece in place. Watch for changes, like slight curving or softening edges. These changes mean that the piece is getting hot.

3

Once the piece is softened, gently press against the curve of the wood and hold in place for several seconds. If your first try isn't as perfect as you'd like, just reheat the piece and try again.

4

The domed component-

For this domed bracelet, start with a sheet of sanded Black PolyShrink.

Ink your stamp with 2 colors of heat setting ink (start with the lighter color, then add the darker one), and stamp the image numerous times. Stamp the images far enough apart to allow for room for the black edging.
Cut out the images leaving a border around the edges. Round the corners using scissors and punch holes at opposing ends. The stamped sheet can be allowed to dry overnight, or, to cut right away, handle by the edges to avoid touching the ink.
Shrink the pieces and then dome them.
Apply a coat or two of spray sealer if you'd like.
Jump ring the components together with jump rings and add bracelet findings at the ends.

If you'd like the jump rings and bracelet clasp to be dark rather than bright gold or silver, see the Antiquing Metal page here in the Techniques Gallery.

Stamp Credit: Toybox Rubber Stamps
http://www.toyboxart.com/