Oh how I love..... bracelet blanks

Hello.   I'm trying to get better at posting stuff.   For some reason I seem to want to work on stuff instead of write about.   Hey, i'm trying.   

I've recently discovered something called "bracelet blanks".   I love them.  They are like a clean little slate waiting to be turned into a tiny, wearable work of art.   I had heard of them before, but was formally introduced to my new love on board the 2009 Craft Chica Cruise.  http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2009/04/4th-annual-crafty-chica-art-cruise.html

(Girl, you know i'm already on board for 2010!).   We made these bracelets by adding a little bit of everything.  (A littler bit here, even more there, oh, baby, don't stop!!)    

These next ones are some I did using scrabble tiles.  I got some great, digital scrabble tile sized images on Etsy.   For a great tutorial on how to prepare scrabble tiles see http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-make-gorgeous-scrabble-tile.html

(Tiles in progress).

This last one I did with polymer clay.  I made little calaveras out of Sculpey Premo! and just glued them onto the bracelet blank.  Voila!    I have a few more ideas.  I'll post them when I finish.   

Additional tips:   I always use E6000 when gluing something to the bracelet.   Always score the metal disk that you are gluing your object to.   I use an exacto and just scratch it up a bit.  This helps with adhesion.   To get bracelet blanks go to http://shop.ringsthings.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=887&idproduct=19073

 

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Great resin substitute!!

Hello. Sorry It's been so long. So much going on all the time. But I ran across this product and it is so amazing that I had to share. It is a great substitute for your two part resins. It's called Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka.  http://www.lisapavelka.com/Magic-Glos.asp  

I make a lot of jewelry, bottle-caps, scrabble tiles, dominoes, etc... I usually glue an image to the scrabble tile, coat it with several layers of sealer and then apply a two-part resin to it to make it super shiny. I use Enviro-tex. It is messy, smelly and takes a super long time to cure. But the results are amazing. I've tried several different products trying to get the same results I get using the resin. I've tried UTEE. With UTEE I usually get an uneven surface with part of the product either scorched or full of air bubbles. I also have to apply several coats to give it any depth. I've also tried Diamond Glaze. Still, it gives me no dimension and I have to apply several coats. I also tried to drill through both the UTEE and the Diamond Glaze and they both ended up cracking.

I tried this stuff (Magic-Glos) today. A little (well a lot) skeptical about the claims. It is supposed to be a great substitute for resin. I tried it and I love it. It is super shiny, super thick, super tough. You can drill it, it cures in 15 minutes in direct sunlight; no mess, no smell, no mixing. It creates a great "domed" effect on the top of the tiles. Did I say it cures in 15 minutes (or less)? You squirt it directly from the bottle!! Anyways, I found this great review, which I agree with 100% Check it out and let me know what you think. http://www.crafttestdummies.com/2008/09/15/craft-product-review-magic-glos-by-lisa-pavelka


p.s. I'll try to get better at this blog thing :) Read more...