ObjectsandElements.com

How to Resin Paper/a Mother's Day Gift Idea

Resin on paper allows you to use paper in your work by making it waterproof.  I use it in my little wearable journals and I'm able to use any photos and other things that I like.  It's a great idea for Mother's day if you fill it with photos of those cute little grandkids or other precious things.  You could even write a little poem or story and resin it for permanence.  

   

This journal is made with our Patterned Brass Sheet, Square Bronze Wire, Chain, Eyelets, Frame Bezel attached with Mini Nuts and Screws and  a fringe made of our Fiber Bundle.  Next week I'll show how to do my favorite fringe.  Here are the steps to do the paper with ICE Resin.

Mix the resin according to the package instructions.  I always use gloves for this because I hate stickiness.  Use a small piece of kitchen sponge or disposable sponge brush.  Lay out a heavy garbage bag on your surface and tape down to keep it smooth.  

Spread resin on the back of your paper and then flip over. 

Spread resin on the front and 'push' the resin into the paper so it will soak it up.  

Allow to dry for a few days--for some reason paper will stick together if stacked before that.  Then tear into pices that fit your design.  Any tissue or very old paper will turn translucent with resin and it's fun to layer them with your photos.    Linda Larsen

Hip Summer Bracelets

I love the relaxed vibe of these bracelets, they are cheap and easy to make so I wear lots stacked and have used them for inexpensive and fun gifts.  

I string lots of different things on them to keep them interesting.  I started with 2mm Leather Cording and added French Cut Heishi, Large Heishi, Steel Hardware Mix and Cogged Hardware and a Glass Disk.  You can add anything that will string onto the weight of cording you have.  

Cut the leather into  12”  lengths, then string random metal and glass parts on each.  Tie by making a sliding knot on one end, measure on your wrist get your length and tie the other side.   Pull tight, the knot should slide but not come undone, cut the end to about ½” or less.  The overlap of the leather should be about 1/3 of the circumference of the bracelet when worn.

Spring Ring

Easy steps to make this fun Spring Ring...

With an Adjustable Ring Band or building one of your own, a nut and screw and some components you can make a very cute mechanical spring ring!   The components are from left to right, Large Gear, Enamel Shorties, and Bottle Cap Flowers.  You will need a Steel Ring Mandrel, a Dapping Block and Dies and a Chasing Hammer.  First dap the flower parts to make them softly curved.

Put the Long Screw through the hole in the ring band and then simply stack your pieces on and add the nut at the top.  Snip the screw about two rings up from the nut.

Put the ring on the steel ring mandrel and place on a sturdy surface.  Using the ball peen end of the hammer tap out the tip of the screw until it spreads over the nut and keeps the nut secure.  Now you have done an easy rivet!  

Adjust the size on the ring mandrel by tapping the band to "work harden" it.  This will help it stay at the size that fits.  This simple process will work with many different components and once you have the stacking theory down you will be surprised how many different ring looks you can create!