How cute!..the fumes are so killer for that stuff for me ^_^

Reply

Hi! I’ve been experimenting with different techniques for making these pendants using my photography, with varying levels of success.

When I first started, I had a few issues. I couldn’t find Scrabble tiles anywhere, not even the game, so I checked at Michael’s and found unfinished 1.25″ x 1″ wood tiles, ovals, and large circles. I first tried using ModPodge to adhere and seal my images, but because my photos are printed on an inkjet, the colors ran.

So on the second try, I sealed my photo in clear packing tape and then trimmed the tape to fit the wood tile. As long as I kept the tape seal intact, the colors didn’t run. The downside was that even though I used a burnisher, it was very tricky to seal the tape with no air pockets or wrinkles forming. I have tried using ModPodge on top of the taped image, but I am finding it impossible to get a smooth finish without brushstrokes.

I was concerned about using Diamond Glaze because I needed the pendants to be waterproof. I just didn’t see the point in making jewelry that couldn’t be worn when it was raining. So I used the EnviroTex Lite epoxy instead. The first pieces I did came out with some bubbles despite using the straw technique that has been mentioned. They also set unevenly because the drying surface wasn’t absolutely level.

I didn’t have access to the right kind of bail, so I chose to drill a hole straight through the top of the pendant and put a jump ring through it. The technique worked, but the hole has to be drilled ahead of time, not at the end, to avoid cracking or flaking of the hardened epoxy. And the hole has to stay open while the expoxy is drying, otherwise you have to re-drill it anyway. I use toothpicks that are turned frequently to keep them from getting stuck.

The Michael’s tiles are lighter weight raw wood, unlike the more solid feeling Scrabble tiles that are already coated. The natural wood color looked odd next to my photos, so I used black Sharpie to color the edges, and it has stayed surprisingly waterproof. I’m thinking about taking the time to epoxy the edges one by one, so the piece looks more finished. I have chosen to “distress” several of my pieces to camouflage execution flaws, and people seem to respond well to the look.

This time around, I used real Scrabble tiles, and find they are easier to work with than the unfinished type. I printed my images on glossy photo paper and used Martha Stewart decoupage glue to glue the photo to the tile. I didn’t seal the photo with tape or anything else. I applied the epoxy directly to the image, and the photo didn’t run at all. The epoxy did pick up a little black marker, creating a shadow effect at the top of one image.

I mixed the epoxy using one capful of each part and mixing it in a Dixie cup with a popsicle stick. I used the popsicle stick to drizzle epoxy onto the photo and push it to the edges. I would breathe on the tiles, not blowing, not inhaling, but open mouthed like I was trying to steam up a window or clean my glasses. It helped, but there were still little bubbles trapped inside this morning. I wonder if it would have helped if I had kept them somewhere warmer?

The jump ring attachment has been okay, but I don’t like that it interferes with the artwork and can be messy. So this time, I tried drilling holes in the top of the pendants, cutting the tops off of eyelet headpins then Super Gluing them inside the holes. I really like the look, and the drilling can be done before or after the front epoxy.

I’ve experimented with using the Enviro-Tek with other projects, like using it as a suspension for small plastic items inside a metal ring, or sealing fabric and paper to an open glass square to make a magnet design.

I have put up a new page on my website with examples of my pendant experiments, so that you can check them out for yourself if you want to see them.

scrabbletilestyle

Reply

The bails you can only get online. Try the Esty sites. And the ink jet images are easy to get printed. I convert a document full of these images to a pdf file with a pdf creator. The perfect size for a scrabble tile is .75 X .83. Then I email the pdf to staples and give the directions on how I want it printed. It is under a dollar for a whole sheet of images.

Reply

I suppose you could use the letter side, but them you would have to worry about an indented image. The letters are not simply painted on, they are indented in the wood. It may seems weird using a scrabble tile, but that is one of the beautiful parts, you are sort of recycling. For a more clean square you can purchase just wooden thin squares from craft store as well a s online. Jo~anns also has circles that work nicely.

Reply