Sunday, September 11, 2011

Through the Looking Glass :-

Through the LOOKING GLASS
Throw yourself in brightly painted glass stones and attract more than a few admiring glances.

Painted Glass Stones Bracelet

Glass Stone Brooches
"Sometimes glass glitters more than diamonds because
it has more to prove."
- Terry Pratchett -

Materials for Painted Glass Stones Bracelet :-

5 x 20mm clear glass stones
acrylic or glass paint (in colours of choice)
5 x 15mm silver bead cap cones (with “separative” sides)
7mm & 5mm silver jump rings
silver T-bar clasp
* modge podge (optional)
* jeweller’s glue or resin (optional)

Step-by-step :-

1.  First paint the glass stones.  This will take a little planning at first, since you have to wait for a colour to dry first before applying the next layer.  Also, painting on the flat side of a glass stone is the exact opposite than painting on a normal surface.  You have to paint the foreground first and the background last.  (Note pictures 1(a) to (e) for an example of this technique.)  In the end though all the trouble and stages would be worth it for when you view your design from the stone’s rounded side, the painted image is magnified and has quite a captivating look.

2.  Once all your stones have dried completely, you can start to assemble the bracelet.  (*For added protection you may apply a layer (or two) of modge podge first to seal in the paint.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying this product and leave to dry completely! )  Make sure you’ve picked silver bead cap cones with four “separative” sides.  Simply separate the sides and flatten the cone into a cross.  Then attach two 7mm jump rings on opposite sides through the corresponding holes of the cone.

3.  The next step is to simply utilise the cone’s four edges as “prongs” to fit the stone inside.  (* Additionally, you may also employ some jeweller’s glue or resin here, if desired.)  Simply position the stone in the centre of the cross (being the flattened bead cone’s inside).  You may find it easier to bend the two “prongs” without the jump rings first and then the ones with the jump rings later.

4.  Use two 5mm jump rings per link attached to the 7mm jump rings to assemble the bracelet chain.  Also use the smaller jump rings to attach the T-bar fastenings to the ends of the bracelet.


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Brooches :-
Larger stones (approx. 30mm) were used in this particular example.  Once all the paint layers have dried completely, you may use some modge podge to seal in the paint.  Then use jewellers glue or (even better) resin to attach the brooch back at the back of the stone.  Just be sure to let one product dry completely before applying the next and follow the manufacturer(s) instructions thoroughly.  Ideally, wait at least 48 hours before wearing the brooch.

3 comments:

  1. The bracelet is beautiful on both sides. I especially like the use of cones as prongs.

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  2. Thanks Leida and BlackStarBlues. A variation of the "cone prong" technique was also employed in my latest post (Gold and Silver).

    Thanks for taking the time to view the posts.
    Kind regards

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