DIY Photo Pendants

I love DIY projects.  I enjoy the creative outlet and the ability to personalize all as many or as few details as I want.  After my grandma passed away last month, I knew I wanted to do something at my wedding to remember her.  I ran across these Crystal Pendants that I liked, but I found the crystal chandalier pieces to cause a slight distortion to the photo.  I spent some time browsing for alternatives online and found a great seller on Amazon called Beadaholique that sells a ton of jewelry related items.  I ordered a few different style tiles and other supplies and within just a few days had acquired all the supplied I needed for this project.  Just a side note, it took several days to complete due to dry time on the paints and glues.

Supplies:
Glass tiles of your choice (I chose a large 1 7/8 inch tile and 30x40mm glass piece from a pendant kit)
E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive
Small Plated Jewelry Bails
Jewely Wire, .18mm
Beads of your choice
Jewelry Wire Cutters
Jewelry Crimping Tool
Crimp Tube
Plaid's Folk Art Acrylic Paint (I chose silver)
Paint Brush
Printed Photos to fit the size of your tiles
Mod Podge 3D
Scissors

Directions:
First, apply E6000 to the back of the tile.  Slowly lay the tile onto the photo side and press gently to avoid air bubbles.  Allow 24 hours to dry.

Once the photo and pendant are adhered, cut excess paper from tile.  Then lay photo side down and cover with Modge Podge 3D.  Allow 24 hours to dry.

One Modge Podge is dry, paint one to two coats of silver paint on back of pendant. 

Next, attach a bail to your pendant using the E6000.  Let dry overnight.

 

Once pendant is dry, you're ready to string the wire with beads.  It is completely up to you how to do this - you can make a necklace, an ornament, whatever you'd like.  I chose to make a short beaded strand.  Once you achieve the desired length, strand the wire in opposite directions through the crimp tube to create a loop.  Pinch the crimp tool in place.

 

 

That's all there is to it.  I made one for my late grandma and one for my late aunt.  I'll either be tying them to my bouquet or to a vase with flowers in their memory.  I'm beyond pleased with how they turned out and am looking forward to having them with me on our wedding day.

 



Mosaic Love

My fiance and I recently had one of our engagement pictures printed on canvas.  I was so excited to hang it, but quickly realized the wall needed something else.  I quickly decided a small shelf with something decorative was the way to go.  But what would that something decorative be?  I decided to head to Hobby Lobby and see what I could find. 

Supplies:
Cardboard letters (see photo below) - they're 3D, heavier duty and perfect for decorating
Various sheets of coordinating scrapbook paper
Mod Podge, matte
Sponge brush

Directions:
I first tore off several small pieces of each scrapbook sheet and made a little pile of torn paper.  Then I got to work glueing the pieces onto the letters.  Modge Podge works as both a glue and a varnish so you want to make sure its both under and over the pieces of paper.  Fill in each letter covering as much or as little as you'd like.  Finish with one final coat of Modge Podge over the entire project.  And voila!

 

I decided only mosaic the tops and left all of the sides with their natual cardboard color.  I did put a coat of Modge Podge for a slight varnish, but wanted the front to really stand out.  I also decided that as much as I love these, they didn't fit well with the intended idea.  They've now found a home on one of our bookshelves and we used vinyl lettering to finish our canvas instead.