Tuesday, November 24, 2009

"Mustard Seed" Bamboo Bead Pendant



This is so cool--my artist friend Vanessa commissioned me to make six of these bamboo bead pendants using an image of her very own artwork ("The Mustard Seed")! She's a mixed media artist with her own etsy store--check it out: TheHeARTGallery

After sizing the image, I printed them out and coated them with Mod Podge so that the ink wouldn't run. Then, I just cut them out and glued them on the beads. I hope Van doesn't mind, but I took a little creative license by adding some of Stampin' Up!'s Champagne Shimmering Paint sparingly on top. I've really come to rely on that stuff to add a little sparkly oompf to the images I use. Finally, I drip Colores Doming Resin on top. With the waxy & rounded surface of these beads, it works best to use the very end of your resin batch after it's thickened up some & use it sparingly. The resin really tends to drip off of these babies. If that happens, a hobby knife can be used to cut off the excess. I had to do that on a couple & then add a little more resin later where too much had peeled off in my effort to "fix" things.

I use wire to add decorative beads (the bamboo tile beads come from a placemat so they already have two holes drilled lengthwise through them--have a batch of them for sale in my etsy shop if you want to try this) and make a basic loop at the top. Finally, a bail is attached by a jump ring and threaded with a black satin necklace.

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1 comment:

  1. Returned home safely from the Thanksgiving Holiday to find these gems in the mailbox. As always, you have done a phenomenal job and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! The Champagne Shimmer was the perfect touch and something I would definitely use myself-so I absolutely love it that you took creative license and certainly encourage the same in the future orders I am sure to place. Thanks for making this Christmas special Jules!

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