Photo & Mixed Media Jewellery Inspirations

Jewellery Making Project - Using Photo Jewellery Products
By Nicky Townsend

Use Altered Art techniques along with our Photo Pendants range to create a multitude of fabulous pendants and jewellery with a vintage look or even a fresh, modern feel.  You can use scrapbook papers, copyright free images or even family photographs to decorate.  Finish off with charms or, for a steampunk style, add a scattering of tiny watch components which are also available on our website.  You can use glass cabochons to complete the pendants or set charms inside using a super product called Glossy Accents, which sets clear and hard and holds the charms in place.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Bezel settings - see full range here

A selection of images, photos or fancy paper

Glue ‘n’ Seal  - see here

Glossy Accents (see here) or Glass Cabochons - see full range here

A selection of Charms (see here) or Watch parts (optional) - see here

TOOLS

Scissors

Paintbrushes

Pencil

STEP 1

Choose a photo, image or paper that you’d like to use as the background in your piece.  Place a Glass Cabochon onto the paper and move around until you’re happy with what you see through the glass then draw around the glass to create a template.

STEP 2

The next step is to seal the paper or photo to lock in the colours and prevent any ink from bleeding out.  Use Glue ‘n’ Seal for this.  Paint a thin coat over each of your templates; you must seal both sides back and front.  Leave to dry and then paint on another coat and leave that to dry completely.  It’s easier to do this before cutting out the template especially for smaller templates

STEP 3

Cut out your sealed paper templates.  Take a small dab of the Glue ‘n’ Seal on a paint brush and paint into the base of the Bezel setting.  Press in one of your paper sections and use a dry paintbrush to smooth down from the centre outwards this also removes any air bubbles that may have got trapped underneath the paper.  Don’t forget to pay attention to the edges.

STEP 4

In my design I used a simple striped background paper and decided I’d like to embellish this with some detail.  I picked out some tiny images from a scrapbook paper; these also need to be sealed with Glue ‘n’ Seal and cut out once dry.  I then painted an extra layer of Glue ‘n’ Seal onto the background paper and placed the images inside the Bezel.  To finish, coat with another layer of sealant and leave it to dry thoroughly.

STEP 5

To finish with glass cabochons squeeze a thin and even coat of Glossy Accents over the back of the tile, let it spread out naturally to cover the whole area and press firmly into the Bezel.  You will need to press firmly from the centre out to the edges to squeeze out any air bubbles that may have got trapped underneath.

To set charms or watch components into the bezel place your chosen Charms into the Bezel and arrange them.  Now squeeze Glossy Accents  into the Bezel starting close to the charms and working your way out to the edge.  Fill the whole recess, completely covering the charms with Glossy Accents .  Once the recess is filled take some time to prick out any air bubbles which may have appeared.  Use a pin or gently tap the surface of the bubble with a dry paintbrush.  Leave to set completely, this usually takes around 24 hours to set to a hard clear finish.  Once dry you may notice that there are some areas that have appeared unfilled, simply squeeze on another layer of Glossy Accents  and leave to dry.  You can repeat this as often as needed.

TIP - When using Glossy Accents  it is important that the bottle isn’t shaken at any time as it creates air bubbles. These air bubbles will then pass through the nozzle and appear in your finished piece, which you don’t really want. 

STEP 6

I finished my pendant with a tiny resin rose cabochon from my own bead stock to add another dimension to the finished piece.  If you don’t have any of these available you can simply use a charm attached with a jump ring to finish or one of the Lucite Flowers which are available on the International Craft website.

RESOURCES

All materials available at www.internationalcraft.com

Free scrapbook papers are available to print at http://freevintagedigistamps.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/free-digital-scrapbook-paper-circa.html

DESIGNER CONTACT DETAILS

Nicky Townsend

Website: www.enchantedhandmadejewellery.com

What glue should I use to make jewellery?

Finding the correct glue to use can be frustrating, because you don't  want to find that after a short time after you've made something its falling apart because you used the wrong glue.

Here are a few of the glues available with an explanation of their best uses.  All can be bought at International Craft - wholesale jewellery supplies.

Epoxy Glue Very strong

A very strong 2-part epoxy glue which is sometimes available in a very convenient syringe dispenser which ensures that equal amounts of the 2 parts are dispensed in an easy and even flow. A very fast acting  adhesive that dries in 5-10 minutes.  Can dry with a slight yellow tint and so is not recommended for use on translucent stones as the colour may show through.

Recommended for fixing cabochons to fittings and for any other jewellery making where a strong bond is required. Stronger than super glue. Dries in 5-10minutes.

Hypo Cement Glue Medium strength

G-S Hypo Cement was invented in 1930's for use in the watchmaking and jewellery repair industries. It is a combination fine precision tool and a crystal clear drying, medium-strength cement that will not damage surfaces. The cement is ideal for jewellery, beads, plastic, glass, metal, ceramics, painted or sealed woods and other non-porous surfaces and is perfect for sealing knots. This is a no-waste product that is ideal for many applications.

This is not an "instant glue." It becomes tacky in 10 - 15 seconds, allows parts to be adjusted, sets in 10 to 15 minutes and fully dries in about an hour. 


Recommended for jewellery work where precision is needed.  Good for positioning beads on a illusion styled necklace. Also good for holding knots on a stretch elastic bracelets.  Great for use when making photo jewellery as the glue dries crystal clear.

Hypo Fabric Cement

             

Packaged with a unique, built-in precision applicator, makes intricate fabric and textile projects effortless and mess-free. The clear-drying Hypo Fabric Cement holds fast to fabric, textiles, leather, plastic, arts; crafts, appliques, costuming, beads, foam sheets, yarn and home decor projects. The cement is fast drying, and can be laundered in as little as 24 hours.  

Recommended for glueing rhinestones to clothing.

Super Glue Strong

The Original Super Glue® is a name synonymous around the world with strength, quality, and durability. Original formula Super Glue forms the strongest bonds on clean breaks of non-porous material such as plastic, rubber, and metal, and once exposed to air it bonds instantly and sets in seconds.

Super Glue Pen style applicators provide a simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-store solution for quick repair projects. Great when you're looking for a precise application - just press the pen point down on the surface to release the glue and lift to stop. 

Recommended for where speed is of the essence. Do not use on elastic cord.