Making Photo Jewelry: Is the Glaze You're Using Causing Your Images to Turn Blue?

Have you ever made the most beautiful batch of glass photo pendants in trays only to discover a day later that some of them have turned all kinds of blotchy? If you're like me, I've also experienced this and it can be very frustrating. Over the past few years, I've determined what has caused it and how to prevent it. The good news is, it's easy and affordable and blotchy papers are avoidable.

In the past, the solutions meant we would first coat our pendant trays, typically the vintage plated pieces, with a clear varnish. That's an extra step and extra product, and we all know that means extra money. That's outdated and old school.

First, let me explain why the pendant trays turn colors. The vintage gold and vintage copper pendant trays are plated with real metals that are reacting to (most likely) the water in the water based glazes. Moisture and oxidation cause copper to turn green-ish blue and it's the oxidation that makes copper such a beautiful material to work with in architecture. But lets be honest, we're not wanting the beautiful effect of oxidation on our papers. It's just not...beautiful. The vintage gold pendant trays are actually plated with bronze, and bronze also changes colors as it oxidizes. To use water based glazes on these pieces is where the problem is occurring.

So if water based glazes cause the papers to turn blue and green, then what should you use? The answer is to use a product that isn't water based.

There are two easy-to-use affordable options that will not turn your pendant trays and papers funny blue-ish, green-ish colors.

Option 1: Glamour Seal is a liquid adhesive and sealant that is used to glue the paper to the glass, and to glue the glass into the pendant tray. One product does it all and costs the same as a bottle of water based glaze. It's just as easy to use and equally as affordable as the water based glaze you may already be using. Another added benefit? You can use this adhesive to make photo jewelry with inkjet prints! Can your glaze do that?

Option 2: Glamour Stickies is a relatively new product (Spring of 2013) that has quickly grown in popularity. This dry adhesive is incredibly strong and contains no water. It's also archival, meaning it's pH neutral and contains no acid to yellow your papers. Peel and stick and press into place. Glamour Stickies also work well to attach paper to just about anything, including your scrapbooks!

Road Trip: The Murals at Chloride, AZ

On a recent road trip returning from Las Vegas, NV we took a few minutes to explore the one-time silver mining town of Chloride, AZ in Mohave County. Located off HWY 93, it's located between somewhere and nowhere (ie. I have no clue what mile marker) in the middle of the desert.

It was Sunday, and the town was quiet. We drove past the open old-timey convenience store with tables on the sidewalk, and followed the signs that read, "MURALS". The unpaved road got bumpier the further we drove and eventually it ended at a few boulders that were, in fact, freshly painted with interesting, and unusual murals.

 



 

There was also a nice but rocky trail that led up a hill, and another that led down through the brush. If you do plan to stock at Chloride, be sure to bring sturdy shoes for the trails. You don't want to *ahem* twist your ankle *cough cough* on any loose rocks while wearing completely inappropriate shoes.

 

If you're road tripping and your legs need stretching, and your body is feeling particularly parched, it's an oasis you might want to check out. There are also plenty of antique shops and a few artist studios located in this rustic old mining town.

 

MagnetaBelles (tm) Magnetic Pendants!

 

I'm really excited to offer these beautiful silver plated magnetic pendants made to fit the 1" Glamour FX glass shapes. MagnetaBellesTM are versatile and so easy to use. The pendant base has a strong neodymium magnet that keeps the tray insert firmly in place. To remove the insert, simply flip the tray out with your finger.

 

If you're a jewelry artist who works with glass, epoxy resin, epoxy clay, or polymer clay, this product is a great way to add variety and interest to your collection.

 

The 1" square tray inserts are also sold separately, which means you have access to an infinite variety to make one pendant the most versatile piece of jewelry in your collection.

 

Here's a diagram showing how easy it is to make jewelry using MagnetaBellesTM. Click the photo to enlarge it. If using Glamour FX Glass, make the glass pendants using whichever method you prefer. If you need a tutorial, I have one available on my website. If using Glamour FX Glass, you will need to refer to the Glass Pendant Tray tutorial which will explain how to glue the glass to the paper, and then into the tray insert.

 

 

Where to Buy MagnetaBelles.

 

MagnetaBellesTM are currently available through AnnieHowes on Etsy and will be added to anniehowes.com, soon.

If you are a retailer and are interested in offering MagnetaBellesTM to your customers, please contact me for wholesale pricing.

 

MagnetaBellesTM Giveaway Details



One lucky reader will win a MagnetaBellesTM silver plated pendant with 2 tray inserts, 2 Glamour FX Glass shapes, 1 small bottle of Glamour Seal, 1 silver plated link chain, and 2 Glamour Stickies squares.

How to Enter
(This contest is now closed.)

1) Like us on Facebook
2) Leave a comment below letting us know what you would make with MagnetaBellesTM
3) Share this contest on your Facebook page to double your entry, then send an email letting us know.

*Contest ends on July 22, 2013 at 5:00 PM PST.

 

CONTEST WINNER!

Congratulations to Emilie R!

 



New Glamour Seal Ink Jet Glaze for Glass Pendants Won't Smear Your Ink Jet Prints

Once upon a time, there was no glaze available to make these beautiful glass pendants with ink jet prints, but now there is! Introducing Glamour Seal for Ink Jet Prints. Glamour Seal, a glaze developed to use with ink jet prints that allows you the freedom to use your ink jet prints under glass without the worry of your images becoming blurry. Additionally, Glamour Seal dries in a fraction of the time compared to other top selling glazes.

 

Below are a couple of examples that took only minutes to create. Both were printed on Epson Presentation Matte Paper using Canon ink jet printer. For best results, I recommend using matte photo paper instead of glossy photo papers. The glossy photo papers are plasticky and take much longer to dry, whereas the matte papers dried within minutes, and I experienced no "silvery spots" (trapped air) with matte papers. 



Flora image from www.Piddix.com

Butterfly image from www.Piddix.com

If you're using Luxe Resin and need a sealant for your ink jet prints, Glamour Seal glaze is an ideal solution. Simply brush on Glamour Seal and allow it to dry, then apply Luxe Resin for beautiful results.


Glamour Seal in 4 oz bottles (with the Purple Label)

Glamour Seal glaze for Ink Jet Prints is easy to use, affordable, and gives beautiful results!

Here's how to make a
Glass Pendant in a Pendant Tray

HOW TO MAKE A GLASS PENDANT:

STEP 1: Find or create paper image print with ink jet printer or color laser printer. (Examples are from an ink jet printer on matte paper). I recommend matte paper because it allows the Glamour Seal to dry super fast.

STEP 2: Use Glamour Seal to glue the paper to the Glamour FX glass, allow to dry. This takes only a few minutes. No more long waits!
STEP 3: Trim the paper around the glass.

STEP 4: Coat the back of paper with Glamour Seal and press into pendant tray.

 

* Note: Glamour Seal is not a 3-dimensional glaze, however it can be used to protect your ink jet images when using Glamour Glaze or Luxe Resin.

Featured Artist: Daniela Duriavig of Life Over Easy.

20mm Silver plated ring with wide adjustable band.

Daniela Duriavig is an inspiration and a testament to what a little ambition and a whole lot of creativity can result in when it comes to creating one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Late last year, Daniela came to me with a vision and needed a little guidance on making her ideas come to life. With a short phone call, a little help from my tutorial on how to make jewelry using resin, and a selection of quality jewelry findings, she learned to use Luxe resin to make some very special Christmas gifts.

So when Daniela sent an email a couple of weeks ago sharing her news of success, I knew I needed to share her story (and blog) with my readers.

I don't need to go into too much detail on what or how she created these beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry because she's already done that on her own blog, which I encourage you to check out (links at the end of this post). What I can say is she was well-equipped with the right tools to get the job done.

16mm Antique Silver Plated Pendant Trays

Take a moment visit Daniela's blog "Life Over Easy" to read more about her success using Luxe Resin and Glamour Glue to make these beautiful and sentimental jewelry pieces...and poke around a bit because her blog is full of plenty of wonderful and witty musings!

Thanks, Daniela, for sharing your story!

Featured Artist Sharon Haber of Haber Heartwork

I’ve known Sharon Haber of Haber Heartwork for several years.we met through the Etsy community during the fall of 2008 when she began purchasing my handmade glass shapes for making jewelry. We spent many late night hours on the Etsy convo system and even more hours on the phone. We would both find ourselves working into the wee hours of the morning on cold winter nights. So when the opportunity arose for Featured Artist, I wanted to offer the first right of refusal to Sharon. I’m happy to say, there was no refusal.

Knowing Sharon, the loving and caring person that she is, I knew she’d have an interesting perspective to share, and perhaps many of you can relate to her answers. I hope that by sharing her interview you will find something familiar, or find inspiration in the world in which she lives.

Thank you Sharon, for being a wonderful customer, and most importantly such a wonderful and caring friend.

Tell us about yourself
I have loved creating through art, crafts and music for as long as I can remember.  It brings me great joy.  A wide range of things provide inspiration for me so I enjoy creating with a variety of materials.

My degree is in Music Therapy and I have an ongoing love for music as well as animals.  Both have filled my life with love and taught me a lot.

As a breast cancer survivor, I have experienced first-hand how wonderful it is to receive care, encouragement and kindness from many people.  I in turn, genuinely love to offer any type of encouragement I may to others during their difficult times in life. My art, crafts and music often play a role in this. This aspect of creating things to share with people is an added joy for me.

What part of the world are you in? Where are you originally from? I now live in Wake Forest, North Carolina but was born in Florida.  I grew up in New Jersey in close proximity to New York City.

What motivates you; a challenge or a reward? What is your favorite kind of challenge or reward?
I like a challenge and a reward.  My favorite kind of challenge is one that allows me to figure out how to create something new and/or different.  The reward is in achieving the desired end result.

What is it you create?
I create jewelry, buttons, key chains, magnets, pocket mirrors, zipper pulls, bookmarks, bulletin boards, ornaments and many other things as an idea presents itself to me.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I find inspiration in nature, people, music, faith and often in day to day experiences.

How did you get involved in the work you do? Do you work full time on your creations? Is it a means of income for you or a hobby? Do you work on these creations to help support an organization?
I have been involved with creating for a long time. I began to work at it more consistently as a young adult and have gradually increased my time involved with creating.  At present I devote a large amount of my time to my creations and consider it a hobby as well as a means of income.  A portion of my profits is donated to several non-profit organizations.

What is the most rewarding aspect of creating? Is it financial reward, creating a relaxing outlet for you, does the act of creating provide a sense of place in this world, or something else?
Creating does provide me with a relaxing outlet.  However, I believe the most rewarding aspect is taking something through the creating process to see the completed creation.  Also, I love giving and selling my creations to people.

What is a typical work day for you like? Do you work all day, part days? Do you work seasonally?
I work year round and typically spend about 6 hours a day on my work.  There is not really a typical day for me as I tend to go where the spirit leads me as well as tending to other 'life' responsibilities that require my attention.

Do you sell your work? I so, do you sell online, do you sell wholesale, do you participate in art and craft fairs? If someone likes your work, how can they contact you?
I sell my work online in my two Etsy shops: www. haberheartwork.etsy.com  and haberheartworktoo.etsy.com

Wholesale offers are provided upon request.  You may contact me by email or through my Etsy shops.

Where do you see your hobby or business in 5 years?
I hope to expand my online shops and continue to grow in my creative life.

Share something not related to your craft, such as a short recipe, a favorite poem, place you like to visit...
I love being a wife and mother and being part of a wonderful church family.
One of my favorite authors is Anne Lamott.  I like what she says in her book "Traveling Mercies". "Music is about as physical as it gets:  your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath.  We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way."

Please visit Sharon's shops on Etsy: www. haberheartwork.etsy.com and haberheartworktoo.etsy.com

If you are interested in being a Featured Artist, please contact me by email. Please be sure “Featured Artist” is in the subject line.

Maddie Update: An Appointment at Mayo.

Maddie December 2010
The updated news for my niece, Maddie, is hopeful. After what can easily be compared to applying to an Ivy League University, Maddie has been accepted and given an appointment at Mayo Clinic. I asked my sister, Laura, for an update, and the following is what she shared.

 "Maddie is holding her own right now - we have had some issues with severe seizures that were totally unexplained, until we realized that they appeared to come with certain antibiotics. It is unclear whether the seizures are related to infection, or the antibiotics. She is also having periods where she can't move a muscle, but is wide awake. This is pretty scary for her, but she pushes through it. Partial paralysis of her legs, arms, digestive system and elimination systems, as well as partial paralysis of her diaphragm continue, but she manages her issues with a smiling face and a cheerful attitude. She is a real inspiration to so many people, on so many levels.

 We finally have an appointment for The Mayo Clinic at the end of January, beginning of February! We pray daily that this will hold the key answers, and help her regain some of what she's lost during this ordeal. We want to thank everyone who has contributed to helping us get Maddie to Mayo - without all the love and support, I have no idea how we would ever manage to get our child the help she needs. We have been touched beyond all comprehension by the generosity and true caring that has been gifted to us."

We can't thank everyone enough for their continued outpouring of support. I wanted to share this piece of news as it fills us all with tremendous hope. Have a safe journey, you guys!