ICC #13-For the Cat

My Iron Craft Challenge this week was to create something for or inspired by animals.  This is awesome, because that's exactly what I wanted to do!

Conversation the Night Before Challenge Posted 
Me: We really need a new cat tag for Milo
Husband: You should make one. 
Me: Great idea!
Husband: You should make that for Iron Craft this week, no matter what the challenge is.
Me: Well, maybe this week's challenge will be something pet-related.

Whoa.  Freaky huh?

Milo is an indoor kitty, fairly scared of the outdoors, and not likely to run out.  However, I like to have a tag on him just in case.  Only one problem, there was an old phone number on his tag.  You can call it, but I will not answer.

"Yes, I am extremely handsome.  No, you may not call me; my phone number is wrong"

I thought about making a wooden/fabric tag like the way I make my necklaces, but I wanted something a bit sturdier for the cat.  The answer?  Shrinky-dink.  Here are some inspiration photos:

Martha Stewart Pet Tags

Personalized Dog Tag

Dog Tag

I used plain white shrinky-dink and colored it with sharpies.  I traced a circle and then drew in my design.  I ended up making two, learning along the way to punch my hole before coloring.  The first one I made did not leave enough room for punching and I ended up taking out half of "Milo."  On my second try, I altered the design a bit.  Note-I did remember to write the phone number on the tags, but I erased it in the photos so as not to share my phone number with the internet community at large.

Pre-shrunk designs.

 I baked them for several minutes at 325 degrees.  This was the most exciting part; if you have never done this, go, do it now.  There is quite a thrill to watching the shrinky-dink twist and turn in the oven.  I watched through the oven window.  Waiting.  Waiting.  Finally, it began to move.  Satisfaction.  Here are some photos of the finished product.

Tag attached to collar

One Satisfied Customer

Update: I learned that the lettering will rub off after some time.  I made a new tag and sealed it.  I think this will help protect it.  You can see my new tag here.