I picked up this 1970 map at a yard sale last weekend for just $1.00. With so many projects on my mind, I'll never have too many maps. Then I pulled out the last of my seven spot bracelet forms and a bottle of Diamond Glaze Dimensional Adhesive.
Have you ever worked with this stuff? I'm loving it! It takes
practice, and some projects turn out better than others, but it's so much fun.
practice, and some projects turn out better than others, but it's so much fun.
I didn't do any prep work on this bracelet form because I've used them in the past without any problems. The sheet music pendant on the bottom is an example of what can happen when the Diamond Glaze reacts to the metal. The pendant doesn't look too bad, but I made an entire bracelet from vintage parts and they all turned blue after they dried. To avoid this, you can paint a thin layer of the glaze over the entire metal surface and let it dry. Test any surface first if you're not sure.
Cut out the paper to fit the openings. With a small paint brush, cover the back of the paper with a thin layer of Diamond Glaze. Make sure the edges of the paper are firmly stuck down. I usually let it dry for about an hour.
When you're ready to fill in with the Diamond Glaze, always squeeze out the first few drops on a paper towel to get rid of any bubbles in the tip. Never shake the bottle. With even pressure, slowly fill up the opening making sure to cover the entire surface and all the edges. Continue to add the glaze until a dome forms on the top. This is where I get out my magnifying glass.
Oops, there's trouble in Paris. The best way to get rid of a bubble is to gently tap
it or move it to the edge with a very small paint brush. I tried using a pin, but it only moved the bubble around. My eyesight isn't what it used to be, so I always examine each piece with a magnifying glass before leaving it to dry.
The glaze comes out milky and will dry clear. The pads on this bracelet
took about two hours to turn clear. I didn't touch it until the next
day because I didn't need my fingerprints texturizing the surface.
Clear skies = finished product. New York ended up with a tiny bubble in the center even after a quality control inspection. Sometimes when they dry, the center will fall a little, kind of like a cake when it comes out of the oven. You can add a little more Diamond Glaze to fill it back up, but I left this one alone.
This is another version I made a few months ago. This stuff
can be tricky, so sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and hope
for the best:)
I purchased my Diamond Glaze at
http://www.createforless.com/cart/contents.aspx
I'm linking up my repurposed map bracelets with:
A Little Lovely for Saturday Soiree,
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
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Hi, Betsy! I just found your awesome blog! (It took me a few days to figure it out since I'm still a little clumsy with the whole internet thing!) Wow - your work is lovely too and thanks for the tips on working with Diamond Glaze! I'll have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to sharing many more jewelry repurposing ideas in the future. :) Robyn
It's so pretty, I love the color palette! Great tutorial, thanks for all the tips. Amazing how it stayed domed up like that! Gotta try it!
ReplyDeleteoh j'adore! thanks for sharing all of your "trade secrets." i've worked with this before and ran into some of the same problems. i appreciate a new solution to this "age-old" problem! that bracelet turned out gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour bracelet turned out very pretty. I have never used that product. I had thought about experimenting with "ice resin", but another one of those things I just never got around to.
ReplyDeleteGoing to post office today - will email you with info later.
Glenda
Wow I love the bracelet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to a new product!
That is WICKED! I love the bracelets. And thank you for warning us that the results might not always be 100%, I thought about buying some diamond glaze myself but will now research a little more before splashing out on stuff (not so much DG itself but cabochons as well, because that's new territory for me)
ReplyDeleteWow that is so cool! You must have the patience of Job! They sure turn out nice!
ReplyDeleteI love the way this turned out Betsy! Thanks for the tips and all the info ~ so generous of you! Love the inspiration I get from you-kinda like a little kick in the butt!! :) Julie
ReplyDeleteThese bracelets are beautiful. I agree, diamond glaze is tricky! It drives me crazy when it cracks! I'm interested to try a Mod Podge product looks to be fairly similar (Dimensional Magic)
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhh! Betsy I love it! Absolutely. Thank you for all the directions and tips. I intend on getting some now.
ReplyDeleteJust this morning I tried my hand at some Mod Podge...torn pieces of paper on a cardboard heart. If it turns out, I will blog it. Your bracelets are beautiful and I need to make an appointment with my eye dr. this week. I have been putting it off for too long now.
Have a terrific Sunday girl.
*hugs*
Love this! when I've made scrabble tile pendants with pictures I covered it in Mod Podge first and then went back with a glaze. Folk Art makes a glaze, (I think it's the Folkart Outdoor Gloss Sealer) have you ever used it?
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me a great idea for a 18th birthday bracelet! Thanks loads! Love the map!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I love this bracelet! I love maps and travel themes. You've got some fun stuff going on here. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your nice compliment!
ReplyDeleteThis bracelet is so worldly! I'd wear it in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteI've awarded you the Stylish Blogger Award!
Please visit my blog for rules on how to accept.
Cheers!
Theresa
http://alliswellathome.blogspot.com/2011/02/ive-been-awarded.html
Oh wow! I just love your bracelet! I have a vintage atlas book, and some Diamond glaze, so I just may have to try this! And I agree, Diamond glaze can be tricky to work with. So thanks for the inspiration and awesome tips!!
ReplyDeleteI've seen these on etsy. Wondered how they were made. Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from Met Monday. I hope you'll come see my daughter's dining room redo.
Allison
Atticmag
This is gorgeous! I love it and definitely want to make something like this!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! You have a wonderful imagination!! I'm going to have to try this stuff!
ReplyDeleteHuggs from Arizona! Margo
What a fun project! I can't wait to buy some Diamond Glaze and try my hand at it. Thanks so much for the tips! They are much needed by a newbie like me. ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Hey, I was trying to figure out a similar project and your detailed post gave me just the info I needed. I took buttons that have a center depression and cut ovals from a scrapbooking paper that looks like a vintage postage stamp collage. I glazed the button centers with Diamond Glaze and ended up with some very fun no-two-of-a-kind buttons for a steampunk project. The trickiest bit was cutting the ovals accurately... and figuring out to put the shank-back buttons on a piece of foam so they would dry level.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful project! Just curious, have you found a glazing product that can be used on flat surfaces and not run off the edge? Not having luck finding anything. Thanks
ReplyDelete