This is a story of my search for a way to make nice little polymer clay frames to put photos into for a bracelet or pendant to create keepsake jewelry. My first attempt to do this was a couple years ago when I made my Fisherwomen Bracelet. My aunt had recently passed away, and I was looking over old family photos when I noticed many of my female relatives had enjoyed catching fish. I found photos of my mom, my grandma, a cousin and me holding up our catches for the camera. I made this bracelet as a way to work through the grief of missing my mom and aunt and grandma...
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I was totally a novice at polymer clay, and you can see that my "frames" were sloppy at best. When my neighbor asked me to make some jewelry to match her grandma's ring, (Please see my previous blog for more on her story.)I knew I wanted to find a way to do something similar to my Fisherwomen bracelet, but I needed to find a way to clean up the look. Here is a quick tutorial of how I worked out a solution. This photo shows the results after I carved and sanded the little frames. Step #8 - On the backs of the frames I added some strips of uncured clay and made channels for stringing with glass beads. I like to do this to be sure the clay beads do not break when stringing. I then added the decorative tops of the beads that I had already prepared and secured them with liquid clay and little balls of clay. After curing the beads, sanding and buffing them, and then using some Rub-n-Buff on them, I printed out a new set of tiny photos on photo paper. I cut these out, laid them face down on the sticky surface of some clear packing tape, cut off all but a narrow strip of the tape around each photo and attached the photos to the inside of the frames. (Lisa Pavelka's instructions suggested doing this to protect the photos. Please don't use glues or Mod Podge to secure the photos if you plan to use her product. She warns about chemical reactions that can lead to a cloudy appearance or a problem with curing.) I then covered the photos with a generous coating of the Magic Glos. I love this product since it cures in fifteen minutes in sunlight. It is also self leveling and has a glass-like finish when cured - which, in my opinion, is great! I've found that Magic Glos does need edges to push the glos against or it has a tendancy to recede or drip, so my shallow little frames worked well to avoid either of those situations. My beads were now ready for stringing and I was proud of how nice and neat my tiny little frames turned out this time.Please leave comments if you have any questions about my process. Also, if you try my tutorial, I'd love to see your creations. I'd be happy to add links to your photos for everyone to see and join in the fun. I have a set of photos of this project on my flickr photostream if you would like to see them. Thanks so much for reading my blog! BTW I really do LOVE comments. |
Oh Jill, that is so amazing. Thanks for the tut, can't wait to try it. I believe that is something in polymer clay even I can do. Very beautiful and love how you presented it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Jill. What a great idea.. Thanks for sharing with everyone
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah and Alice. Thanks so much for your comments. I'm always hoping that my crazy passion for claying can do some good in the world. By sharing this idea of mine I hope that others will be blessed. I'm sure my neighbor loved her jewelry, and if it helps her cope with the loss of her grandma, then my claying has a purpose. That is why I wanted to give this idea of mine to others so that the blessings can multiply :) Thanks so much for leaving your kind comments!
ReplyDeleteWow, you mean you really measured and didn't just eyeball it? LOL
ReplyDeleteFantastic tutorial Jill...I've added it to my already overflowing list of projects I would like to make!
Hi Barb, yep, I actually measured this time ;). You do know me! Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jill, it is wonderfully written and I also have put it with my tutorials that I have!!!!
ReplyDeleteChickeemama
Thanks, Donna :)
ReplyDeleteBravo pour vos créations et courage pour votre "recyclage" forcé ! Hélène
ReplyDeleteT'es si gentille, Hélène :) Merci, et t'as raison, j'aurai besoin de courage! C'est si difficile d'apprendre une nouvelle langue à mon âge pour l'enseigner - je ne peux plus lire les mots minuscules du dictionnaire (comme j'ai pu quand j'avais 15 ans) sans avoir mal à la tête. Heureusement qu'y'a des ordinateurs! :)
ReplyDeleteNice tutorial. Great piece of work. Its beautiful and appreciate your work that how you presented.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, Jewelry NJ. I appreciate the time you took to let me know what you thought.
ReplyDeleteUn buen tutorial, bien "Detalles Explicado y MUCHOS contra. Haces ANU Cosas Maravillosas. Besos DESDE Barcelona (España)
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias y Feliz Navidad, Mª Reyes. Besos desde Indiana à ti tambien.
ReplyDeleteThank you too Jane, Merry Christmas, and yes, it would be an honor to have you tell others about my tutorial.
You have done a great job Jill, I really liked the tutorial, and your art of making Pendants jewelry, you can also decorate with some pearls and gemstone beads. Surely I am gonna to try this. Thanks for the great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteHello, Rambo Fernandis, how nice to find your comment this morning. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI read your post. It's really nice and I like your post. It’s very simple to understand.
ReplyDeleteHere you provide some valuable points about company it's really nice.
Thank you for sharing................
Keepsake jewelry