Don’t throw away those plastic takeout boxes—upcycle them! Create our clever DIY shrink jewelry in minutes with just a few additional items and your oven. Whether left clear or dressed up with spray paint, these ‘gems’ are fun to wear.

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and rinsing off your takeout containers—you may love General Tso’s chicken but this project doesn’t. Wipe dry then cut out the flat portion of each container, using scissors.

Decide if you’d like them to remain clear, or jazz them up with color by applying a coat of spray paint suitable for plastic. Once dry, twist jump rings open with needle nose pliers then insert through holes to link cutouts together. Attach a closing clasp to the bracelet or necklace once you’ve achieved the desired length.

Why not turn your kids’ next slumber party into a shrink jewelry party? Older kiddos can have great fun with this project—just make sure you’re available if they need extra supervision.

DIY shrink jewelry
Ingredients
  • bracelet
  • plastic takeout boxes
  • scissors
  • hole punch
  • parchment paper
  • baking sheet
  • needle nose pliers
  • jump ring and jewelry chain
  • eco-friendly spray paint
  • round 2″ die cut (optional)
  • necklace
  • plastic takeout boxes
  • scalloped 3.5″ die cut (optional)
  • side cutters
Instructions
bracelet
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cut out flat part of plastic containers.
  3. Make 7 cutouts using 2″ die cut or cut out with scissors.
  4. Punch 2 holes on opposite ends of each cutout using hole punch.
  5. Place cutouts on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake 3−5 minutes until cutouts lay flat and become hard.
  7. Remove from oven then cool 15 seconds.
  8. Leave clear or apply 1 coat spray paint, allow to dry.
  9. Twist jump rings open with needle nose pliers.
  10. Link finished cutouts together by inserting jump rings through holes.
  11. Attach closing clasp to end of bracelet.
necklace
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cut out flat part of plastic containers.
  3. Make 4 cutouts using 3.5″ scalloped die cut or cut out with scissors.
  4. Punch 2 holes on opposite ends of each cutout using hole punch.
  5. Place cutouts on parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake 3−5 minutes until cutouts lay flat, become hard.
  7. Remove from oven then cool 15 seconds.
  8. Leave clear or apply 1 coat spray paint, allow to dry.
  9. Twist jump rings open with needle nose pliers.
  10. Link finished cutouts together by inserting jump rings through holes.
  11. Cut chain to desired size using side cutters and attach to finished cutouts.
  12. Cut chain to make both sides hang evenly and attach closing clasp.
Notes
Teenagers will love making shrink jewelry—just stick around in case they need some help.

Make DIY shrink jewelry with plastic clamshell containers

Make DIY shrink jewelry with plastic clamshell containers

Make DIY shrink jewelry with plastic clamshell containers