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Wow, where does a week go? I finally had a chance yesterday to make a few more washer pendants and snap some photos along the way. So roll up your sleeves, here goes.
You will need:
The washers I used were 1 3/4" and 1 3/8" zinc-plated.Step One:
Clean the washer with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt and oils.
Step Two:
Place drops of alcohol ink randomly over the surface of the washer.
Step Three:
Use an applicator (Ranger makes one specifically for this, but I don't have it--yet, so I just used a basic cosmetic sponge I had in my stash) with a bit of Blending Solution and dab at the washer to lighten and mix the inks. Add more droplets as needed to create a design that you love. There is no right or wrong here, and what I loved most was how forgiving the inks and blending solution are. If it's too dark lighten with solution; too light, add more ink.
Step Four:Wrap a piece of wire (mine was 24 gauge) around your washer. Start the wire in the back, and be sure to cover over the end as you wrap around. With each pass through the center, thread 1-3 beads onto the wire. Keep wrapping and threading until you like. Snip off the end and thread it beneath the wires in the back. On the smaller washer, I skipped the wire wrapping and glued on some tiny rhinestones. Forgot to snap a photo of it.
Step Five:Add a hanger and you are done. I used a premade leather cording that already had the fasteners, but you could use ribbon, string, jute, yarn, chain, and add your own closure, or simply tie it large enough to slip over your head.
I couldn't believe how quickly these came together. You could lay out a bunch at once and work simultaneously on them. I think they would make great gifts, too! I turned one into a keychain by hanging a shorter piece of cording and attaching it to a split ring. Enjoy!
{Note: these images are the result of my own work, and are copyrighted by me under content of my blog. If you would like to share this project on your site, please use only one photo and include a link back to this page. Thank you!}
So beautiful! It's gorgeous. Really really *special* and *unique*!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my scrapbook page in my blog (http://efratkashat.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/list-%d7%a8%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%9e%d7%94/#comments) !
Efrat
Oh my! How clever and pretty! Thank You.
ReplyDeleteReally pretty! Im going to try to make these with my 5th grade girl scouts for our "Art to Wear"
ReplyDeletebadge. Do you recall what color inks you used to get this look? Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous, what a great idea to make them with girl scouts--it's a very easy and inexpensive project with great results. I used Tim Holtz Adirondack alcohol inks in eggplant, lettuce, and cranberry. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThe ink will fade out in time even if you seal it with something like diamond glaze. Sunlight makes it fade even faster.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous The Tim Holtz alcohol inks are marketed as "Fade Resistant." I have had mine hanging out in the open for 2 1/2 years, often in direct sunlight, and they have not faded.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I am using a smaller washer and it seems like the colors are just running together...should I let the layers dry before adding more color? I tried it on a bigger washer and it looks better, but still not as cute as yours!
DeleteThanks! The inks should dry fairly quickly. You could try spacing the drops a bit farther apart so that they don't run together too much and get muddy. Also, I found adding droplets of the Blending Solution helps to remove some of the color and create the dotted effect. I'm thrilled that you're trying this project and would love to see your creation!
DeleteI would love to see a video of this... I'm experimenting and am not getting the dotted effect I love so much on yours! I've tried both the cosmetic sponge and the felt covered applicator; I get very even blending, no dots at all. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
DeleteTry just adding drops of the blending solution--it removes some of the color to give the spotted effect. I will try to do a video soon!
I was wrapping the wire and the ink came off on my fingers. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHmm, the only thing I can think of is that there was residue on the washer. Did you swab it well with rubbing alcohol before you began?
Deletewhere did you buy your alcohol ink and blending solutions?
ReplyDeleteJoann Fabrics carries them. I did not really get the dotted effect so much either, just a little, but still pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove this project! Can you spray it with clear lacquer to permanently set it?
ReplyDeleteYou certainly could, thought I haven't had any trouble with the alcohol ink rubbing off.
DeletePerfumes with alcohol in them (inexpensive ones usually) can actually re-activate and reliquify the color enough to make them smear. Best to seal with resin, spray sealant, crystal accents or something.
DeleteI found your blog by searching for an alternative to using an utee melt pot- or it may have been on how to make alcohol ink... Stumbled onto a forum talking about the utee alts. And have been following links all over the web for these fabulous pieces. ILOVE these. I have been planning on restarting my jewelry making (and planning and planning and planning) but all my designs feel too ambitious for beginning again. These pendants are a perfect jumping off point.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tutorial!
This is a really cool idea!! Where did you get the alcohol ink and blending solution? How many pendants will 3 bottles make?
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! If you are selling or giving these as gifts, you may want to let people know that they have zinc in them as many people have a sensitivity to it and can't wear it without having a reaction.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get the Blending solution?
ReplyDelete