DIY Shaker Element for Handmade Cards

Shaker cards are so much fun to make! Every time I make a card, I think about how to include a shaker element, I am determined to make it happen! #crazycraftlady

Did you know you could make your own shaker element? Depending on the cut file, all you have to do is a little design manipulation. I’ll show you how I did it with the cloud shape on this particular card.

Step 1: I used Design ID#134492 from the Silhouette Design Store. You can size your cloud however large you want. For my 4.25″ x 5.50″ card, I sized the cloud to be 2″ wide. 

Step 2: To create a slightly larger cloud, I created a 0.20″ offset with round corners (from the Offset panel). 

Step 3: Click on the larger cloud shape and copy/paste the duplicate to the right. Now you should have two “sets” of clouds. On the left, you should have your original cloud plus offset larger cloud. This is the cloud outline that goes on top of the shaker piece we will make. On the right, you should have the larger cloud. This is the back piece of the shaker piece.

Step 4: Send to Silhouette with proper cut settings (depends on your material). I opted to use a thick glittery cardstock for the top cloud outline piece. I used a regular white cardstock for the back piece.

Step 5: Cut out another larger cloud shape but with acetate sheet. This will be the “window” of the shaker element. Supply list is at the end of this post if you’re curious where you can find such materials.

Step 6: Now for the super fun part! It’s time to put everything together! First, carefully glue the cloud outline to the cloud acetate sheet. I say carefully meaning don’t use too much glue. Otherwise it could ooze out and leave a thin film of glue on the acetate sheet. No thank you!

Step 7: Flip the glued piece over so that the acetate sheet is facing up. 

Step 8: Cut small pieces of foam adhesive strips and place them around the perimeter of the cloud outline. Be sure the strips stay on the cloud outline. If they’re too long, you will see these strips either on the outside of the shaker cloud or inside the window of the shaker cloud. Remove any adhesive strip backing.

Step 9: On the white cardstock large cloud piece, glue on a few embellishments, like sequins or tiny rhinestones. I recommend using a craft glue with a fine tip so that the amount of glue is tiny. I also recommend using a tweezer to set the embellishments. I list my all-time favorite glue in the supply list below.

Step 10: Create a little pile of loose shaker card fillers (sequins, tiny confetti, glitter, etc). I typically like to go with a color scheme and in this case, matched the colors of the rainbow. Keep the pile in the center of the shape, away from the edge because that is where the foam adhesive perimeter we created in Step 9 will go.

Step 11: Carefully press the glued cloud outline+acetate piece over the white cardstock cloud piece. Press long the entire perimeter to “seal” the shaker element. And that’s it! Give it a shake, so fun right?