+TheShelbyFamily Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 Weird, I just posted about this in another thread, but here's ours. All it takes is hitting up a local bar for bottle caps, a 1 inch round hole punch, some dollar store glitter glue, and some clear easy cast casting expoxy/resin from any craft store: Quote Link to comment
+LukeTrocity Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 People are so original here! Now I need to get to the drawing board! Quote Link to comment
+DazeDnFamily Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) People are so original here! Now I need to get to the drawing board! Oh, fear not. This weekend's caching run will involve a stop at Hobby Lobby, to get some shrink art. We have a rubber stamp that we stamp the clay with (the smilie face you can see on some of our coins...) but with the shrink art, I'll be able to do it in full color, and add text, and make some really cool coins. I can not wait to try that out. Thanks Guiles for the awesome tip! Later! Edited April 6, 2011 by DazDnFamily Quote Link to comment
XeenaWP Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Here's what I've been dropping in caches when I can. They are shrink art printed with my computer. I'd like to say I collect others' sig items, but as yet I've found only one, and I lost it. I keep looking tho! Guiles Guiles can you give some info on how you make these? Do I just make a design in say Publisher then print it on shrink paper? What kind of paper is best, how many can you make out of one sheet? Thanks Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 (edited) Guiles can you give some info on how you make these? Do I just make a design in say Publisher then print it on shrink paper? What kind of paper is best, how many can you make out of one sheet? There's inkjet printable Shrinky Dink for those of us less artistically inclined. http://www.goestores.com/catalog.aspx?storename=shrinkydinks&DeptID=34365&ItemID=4190137&detail=1 You print, cut, and bake it. It then shrinks to (according to the website) 1/3 their original size and becomes 9 times thicker. You have to be a bit careful baking it, or they end up warped. My kids used to play with them when they were younger. Here's the wikipedia article on shrinky dinks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinky_Dinks Oh, and there's circular punches (up to 3" in diameter) for those of us less than dexterous with our hands as well, in case you plan to go into mass production Edited April 9, 2011 by Chrysalides Quote Link to comment
+a2n Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 i made "Geocaching Licenses" and had them printed on glossy card stock. Incidentally, this design is in production as a geocoin. Front and back are below: This looks very similar to the ones on the blog called RENZO'S CUSTOM CACHE. On that site you can download the PDF files for both the license and the cipher wheel. Quote Link to comment
+L0ne.R Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 My handcrafted gc clothespins: Quote Link to comment
+TheSapaFamily Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 My handcrafted gc clothespins: Wow, I love this! Great job!!! Quote Link to comment
SeaScout Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Here are a few pictures of my signature item. I decided to create something that ties into my other hobby, collecting antique firecracker labels. I created my own SeaScout Brand "firecracker pack label", I then made replica antique firecracker label fridge magnets. I wrap two of the magnets up in red firecracker pack paper and put my label on it. Just like a real pack of crackers, you have to destroy the package to get what is inside. I include a brief history of antique firecracker collecting in the package. I have hundreds of scanned images of antique labels so no two packages have the same labels inside. I've had cachers stalk after me just to try to add to their collections. My signature item seems more popular around this time of year. For the record it is made quite clear on the packaging that NO actual fireworks are included. People seem to like them. Quote Link to comment
+Thrak Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Mine's pretty simple. It's just a 1" pin-on button. Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Hello! ... am new to the forum, new to caching & new to signature items, but I thought I'd have a go at making some last night. So the first ended up in today's only non-micro find! ... if I ever come across another signature itrm in a cache I will be properly excited ... so far it's all been toys! x Quote Link to comment
+FolsomNatural Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) Welcome Tadpole, and Good Luck! A BIG THANKS to everyone for sharing their photos and their creativity. This is what I WAS leaving behind, but now I see it as pretty lame compared to the great ideas discussed here. They are stamped onto craft wooden blanks. Front and reverse shown. I'm thinking now that I like the shrink plastic idea. They come out pretty cool! Edited July 2, 2011 by FolsomNatural Quote Link to comment
+teamboomerang Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I loved the handpainted rocks idea, so I picked up some river rocks, paint, and sealer today planning on painting them with my son who caches with me. Ended up with my next door neighbors and two of their kids, and we painted rocks for six hours today. We had a blast doing it, and we are going to seal them, photograph them, and go geocaching tomorrow! Was a great family activity. Quote Link to comment
JourneyPilot Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Some very original ideas! I recently set about designing a logo and I think I've finished... Just need to draw it up in Photoshop. Struggling with what to actually put it on... Keyring, badge etc. I might try something more original though. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Some very original ideas! I recently set about designing a logo and I think I've finished... Just need to draw it up in Photoshop. Struggling with what to actually put it on... Keyring, badge etc. I might try something more original though. Any ideas? I'm just wondering the same thing myself. Depends on how big it is, and what you want to make it out of I suppose. Quote Link to comment
+MadamSmall Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 This is my first attempt. Pretty rudimentary but I am just sitting at my desk at work with very limited supplies Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I make my own jewellery, so added a whole heap of different signature charms to caches over the past few days ... this one went into a cache today ... hopefully someone will enjoy picking it up! Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 This is my first attempt. Pretty rudimentary but I am just sitting at my desk at work with very limited supplies ... I like those ... what are you painting on? Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 This is my first attempt. Pretty rudimentary but I am just sitting at my desk at work with very limited supplies I like these And also the ones EmmaGx just posted! So many different ideas! Quote Link to comment
+MadamSmall Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) Thanks! They're simple wooden beads from a craft store, a bit larger than a quarter in diameter. Didn't think I'd ever find a use for them... Of course I then realized I didn't have the right screen name on this site... and attempted to change it. Taken... but can't find a Herah in the members list. Sigh. I'll put my other favorite screen name on the back. MadamSmall. Edited July 4, 2011 by joannavr Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Thanks! They're simple wooden beads from a craft store, a bit larger than a quarter in diameter. Didn't think I'd ever find a use for them... Of course I then realized I didn't have the right screen name on this site... and attempted to change it. Taken... but can't find a Herah in the members list. Sigh. I'll put my other favorite screen name on the back. MadamSmall. LOL! ... I too have lots of random stuff that I've picked up from a craft shop at some point and no longer have any idea what to do with it ... fab for making caching swag! ... and a very good use for your wooden beads! Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I like these And also the ones EmmaGx just posted! So many different ideas! Thanks! ... I get bored easily so all mine have been different so far ... just similar packaging depending on the size of the charm! Quote Link to comment
+MadamSmall Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Thanks! ... I get bored easily so all mine have been different so far ... just similar packaging depending on the size of the charm! How do you get your wire to look so well finished? I saw your picture and just had to reach in the drawer and try something similar. Maybe I am using a different gauge, but getting a nice rounded and beautiful name wasn't happening over here... I made it my keychain anyway, thanks for the idea! Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Thanks! ... I get bored easily so all mine have been different so far ... just similar packaging depending on the size of the charm! How do you get your wire to look so well finished? I saw your picture and just had to reach in the drawer and try something similar. Maybe I am using a different gauge, but getting a nice rounded and beautiful name wasn't happening over here... I made it my keychain anyway, thanks for the idea! I believe I used 0.80mm diameter copper wire for that (I'm sorry, I live in the UK, so don't do guages!)... most of the curves are around needle nose jewellery making pliars, so easy to get the smooth curves ... some of the larger ones are just created using my fingers & the flexibility of the wire ... you do have to be really gentle with the wire to avoid leaving tool-marks, but I've made a number of these in the past (usually for male friend's birthday's as I figured they wouldn't be so keen on bracelets!) and also done something similar in Christmas Decorations for friend's kids ... After a couple of practice runs it really started working, so stick with it and hopefully you'll get the results you intended very soon! Quote Link to comment
+MadamSmall Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) That looks awesome, thanks Emma! I'll have to do some wire shopping... I went ahead and decorated the backs of my coins, with excerpts from Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. I can't help but recite it every time I am out on the trails. Edited July 4, 2011 by joannavr Quote Link to comment
EmmaGx Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) That looks awesome, thanks Emma! I'll have to do some wire shopping... I went ahead and decorated the backs of my coins, with excerpts from Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. I can't help but recite it every time I am out on the trails. *grins* ... once you've gotten used to it making interesting shapes from just the wire is really quite fun ... for christmas decorations & christmas necklaces I also do Rudolf outlines with a red bead hung down for a nose! ETA ... loving the backs of the coins! x Edited July 4, 2011 by EmmaGx Quote Link to comment
+TripleGCrew Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) I was inspired by the shrink art idea so I went out and bought some printable shrink plastic, created some designs, and made some signature items. It was that simple! I think they look pretty good! Any comments? Added this second pic with a quarter for size reference. -Mike Edited July 10, 2011 by TripleGCrew Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 How big are they? They look like they would make good beer mats/ coasters. I like them. Quote Link to comment
Allie McG Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I was inspired by the shrink art idea so I went out and bought some printable shrink plastic, created some designs, and made some signature items. It was that simple! I think they look pretty good! Any comments? -Mike Did you print them or draw them by hand? They look fantastic. Shrinky-dink material seems awesomely fun. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) I was inspired by the shrink art idea so I went out and bought some printable shrink plastic, created some designs, and made some signature items. It was that simple! I think they look pretty good! Any comments? Did you print them or draw them by hand? They look fantastic. Shrinky-dink material seems awesomely fun. Since it is printable shrink plastic, I assume it's printed. Mike, which brand did you get? They look great! The poker chip design looks too thin though - a matter of expectation, I guess, since we're used to what poker chips look like. Edited July 11, 2011 by Chrysalides Quote Link to comment
+TripleGCrew Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I was inspired by the shrink art idea so I went out and bought some printable shrink plastic, created some designs, and made some signature items. It was that simple! I think they look pretty good! Any comments? Did you print them or draw them by hand? They look fantastic. Shrinky-dink material seems awesomely fun. Since it is printable shrink plastic, I assume it's printed. Mike, which brand did you get? They look great! The poker chip design looks too thin though - a matter of expectation, I guess, since we're used to what poker chips look like. Thanks! I believe the brand was called Grafix. I picked it up at Hobby Lobby. I'm really happy with the way they turn out Yes, the poker chip is thinner than you'd expect a regular chip to be and it's single sided (you can print on both sides but lining it up would be nearly impossible). Also, I figured out last night that inkjet ink is water-based and it will leach off when it gets wet. I'm going to look for some spray sealer. Mike Quote Link to comment
+TheAlabamaRambler Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 <------ You see mine every time I post! Quote Link to comment
+ohmerfam Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 That is exactly where i got the inspiration from! i even emailed Renzo an image of my cards and offered to send him a few. i made "Geocaching Licenses" and had them printed on glossy card stock. Incidentally, this design is in production as a geocoin. Front and back are below: This looks very similar to the ones on the blog called RENZO'S CUSTOM CACHE. On that site you can download the PDF files for both the license and the cipher wheel. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks! I believe the brand was called Grafix. I picked it up at Hobby Lobby. I'm really happy with the way they turn out Yes, the poker chip is thinner than you'd expect a regular chip to be and it's single sided (you can print on both sides but lining it up would be nearly impossible). Also, I figured out last night that inkjet ink is water-based and it will leach off when it gets wet. I'm going to look for some spray sealer. Thanks for the info. I think I have a pack of that lying around somewhere, have to give it a try. Didn't realize that the ink would run when wet - good info, thanks! Quote Link to comment
+paconlacellars Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Credit card size magnifier with cache name added. Come in a variety of colours. Quote Link to comment
+dorqie Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Credit card size magnifier with cache name added. Come in a variety of colours. I've seen those in caches! Last time I saw one was out in Sidney, but I had nothing to trade for it at the time. Quote Link to comment
+PurpleCatPaws Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I am SO excited to have found this thread!! I also feel rather foolish; my father got me into Geocaching and I just started off with my own account. I actually thought I had come up with an original idea of leaving...handmade items. Surprise! My eyes have been opened to yet another community that's out there: Crafty Cachers! I have been looking at forums that talk about "signature items" for hours now and I could not be more thrilled!! (I also now have a long list of folks whose work I want to find!) One of the reasons I've been lurking on the forums was to find answers to some of questions before writing my own posts. I'm so happy to say that I have found those answers in this thread. I didn't know if it was "good form" to included a blog address either on the signature item or in a forum signature. It would appear that it is not only okay but encouraged. (I was worried that it would seem self-promoting, but since it's non-commercial it is really just sharing.) I am going to try and upload a pic of my first four pieces. My idea was to finally use some of my craft supplies to create tiny collages. I laminated them with magnets on the back so they can easily be displayed. I put each in a tiny zip lock bag and will include a piece of paper with my user name and blog address. (Does that sound okay?) I am crossing all my fingers and toes that folks who find them might visit my blog (created just for this project) and let me know if they took/moved them. I'm not assigning tracking numbers or anything really formal. I just want to "release them to the wind" and see what happens. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I am going to try and upload a pic of my first four pieces. My idea was to finally use some of my craft supplies to create tiny collages. I laminated them with magnets on the back so they can easily be displayed. I put each in a tiny zip lock bag and will include a piece of paper with my user name and blog address. (Does that sound okay?) I am crossing all my fingers and toes that folks who find them might visit my blog (created just for this project) and let me know if they took/moved them. I'm not assigning tracking numbers or anything really formal. I just want to "release them to the wind" and see what happens. I wish the photo is bigger - they looks fantastic, and I'd like to see them a bit better. I don't see anything wrong with having your blog URL there. If you want to make some of them trackable, you could attach a travel bug dog tag to them. Happy caching! Quote Link to comment
+PurpleCatPaws Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Here's a larger image. The pics in my first post are closer to actual size (approx. 2"). I tried to create a signature with my blog address but it didn't seem to work. You can find it at Follow the Paws. Thanks so much for the feedback, Chrysalides. As a newbie I truly appreciate it!! Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) I like these too. I laminate a lot of things I want to keep for future reference for craft ideas and hadn't thought of using the laminator to make sig items. I think it is a great idea to include your blog info, too. I would like to start up a blog about the things I'm making actually, so if you have any advice and can recommend a good free crafty place to start, please PM me! (not sure if we're allowed to advertise blog sites here & am trying not to take this great thread off topic.) I am still working on my/ our sig items and can't post what I've come up with just yet because I am making some for somebody else first, to send as part of a a geocoin mission. (Coin Spotlight Mission). I'm finding it a lot harder coming up with designs for myself. I'm probably being too picky. Edited July 15, 2011 by Fianccetto Quote Link to comment
+L0ne.R Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I would like to start up a blog about the things I'm making actually, so if you have any advice and can recommend a good free crafty place to start, please PM me! (not sure if we're allowed to advertise blog sites here & am trying not to take this great thread off topic.) I just use wordpress for mine: My geoswag blog Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Here's a larger image. The pics in my first post are closer to actual size (approx. 2"). Thanks - these look fantastic! Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Here's my first try (so far0 with varying success. I decided on an oak leaf as the image I'll be using for a lot of different projects. It's quite a tricky shape and lends itself to some craft projects more than others! They're made with polymer clay (Primo and sculpey). I carved (gouged) small linocuts to indent the leaf design into the clay. I baked the diska then filled some of the leaf shapes with different coloured clay. Baked them again, then used sandpaper around the rough edges (that's the dust you can see.) I haven't sealed/ varnished them yet because I'm not sure what to use. I couldn't find outdoor Mod Podge locally, so might try some yacht varnish over Primo glaze. (The pale whitish colour is glow in the dark.) Quote Link to comment
JourneyPilot Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 (edited) Here's my basic signature attempt, if I put it on something I will probably add a few words of wisdom... or something witty. I was thinking a clear round plastic keyring/badge and then possibly attaching a couple onto tracker bugs and sending them off into the big wide world. Edited July 16, 2011 by JourneyPilot Quote Link to comment
+GaRocketMan Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Playing with Shrinky Dinks. This is what I came up with. It's about 1 and 1/2 inch tall. My macro photo ability stinks. Quote Link to comment
+A & J Tooling Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Practice makes perfect. Nothing wrong with anything I've seen yet. Quote Link to comment
+jpbarr Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Hi all, I have only been caching for a couple of months now but am already hooked. Having been following the forums I have wanted to get involved with the missions that come up but as most of them need you to have geocoins to add to the pot I have been unable to join in. Due to lack of cash I can't just order some up Anyway a couple of people suggested that trading didnt have to be coins for coins so I'm hoping some of you out there would be willing to trade geocoins for my handmade signiture items. The first three photos show my personal sig items but the 4th photo is one I use for putting in my own caches and change the names accordingly. Anyone interested in trading with me I am happy to personalize that one with their own caching handle or cache name. Hope you like them, let me know what you think JP Quote Link to comment
+Fianccetto Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Hi all, I have only been caching for a couple of months now but am already hooked. Having been following the forums I have wanted to get involved with the missions that come up but as most of them need you to have geocoins to add to the pot I have been unable to join in. Due to lack of cash I can't just order some up Anyway a couple of people suggested that trading didnt have to be coins for coins so I'm hoping some of you out there would be willing to trade geocoins for my handmade signiture items. The first three photos show my personal sig items but the 4th photo is one I use for putting in my own caches and change the names accordingly. Anyone interested in trading with me I am happy to personalize that one with their own caching handle or cache name. Hope you like them, let me know what you think JP Wow, they're really great! Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 What's this? Could it really be the Immortal Cthulhu??? They all look fantastic, but this one is my favorite Quote Link to comment
+Mr Kaswa Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Thanks in part to this topic I was inspired to try the artwork in the bottle cap with resin. The penny one was for trips to the US and the goat one was for a trip specifically to Glacier National Park. The one with the dogwood, BC's provincial flower, was for a recent trip to Alberta and Saskatchewan, where one was confirmed taken to be turned into a brooch! I was considering magnets for the next batch but haven't found any small and powerful enough to go inside the cap. Maybe glue some to the backside? Edited July 17, 2011 by Mr Kaswa Quote Link to comment
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