Brass Charms with Crystal Lacquer (and a coupon)

This necklace was inspired by some charms I saw online.  The original charms were made with wire, paper and resin, but my version is made with brass blanks and Sakura Crystal Lacquer.  Crystal Lacquer made these so easy! 

I’ve seen lots of projects made with pattern tissue paper, but I don’t think I’ve seen any using the instruction pages that come with the patterns.  I wanted some interesting text for my charms, and decided to use pattern sewing instruction sheets.  You could use any kind of paper, but as a sewer, I have lots of memories involving these pages.

I had some brass blanks:

You could use any kind of metal.  Just make sure it’s hard enough that it won’t bend when you wear the necklace.  You could use precut blanks like these, or make your own.  If your metal seems too soft, you might try adding additional layers of metal, paper or Crystal Lacquer.    I think you could even make these charms with plastic as the base.

I chose my paper and then decided to add color to some of it.  I used watercolor paint, but you
could use almost any kind of paint or ink.  I liked the way the text still showed through very clearly with the watercolors.  I let the paint dry before proceeding.

Then I cut my paper to roughly fit my blanks.  For the first one, I traced around the blank directly onto my paper and then cut it out.  For the next few, I just held the paper on top of the blank and ripped the paper around the edges of the blank.  Then I tried holding the blank in place under or over the paper and cutting around the edges with the paper.  All three methods worked.  Tracing around the blank will allow you to decide exactly what you want to appear on your charm.  Tearing was much less exact, and I wasted some paper when it ripped in ways I didn’t want it to.  Holding the blank to the paper and cutting was simple, but I did get a few crooked cuts that way.

After I cut the paper to roughly fit the blanks, I shaped the paper to the blank more accurately by holding each piece of paper on top of its blank and dragging sandpaper across the edges.  It removed excess paper best when I pulled the sandpaper down in sort of a swiping motion.

Then, for each charm, I lifted the paper off the blank and applied a thin film of Sakura Crystal Lacquer with an inexpensive paint brush.   Then I laid the paper in place and put some Crystal Lacquer on top of it.  When it was dry to the touch, I added another thin layer of Crystal Lacquer.
The Crystal Lacquer acts as an adhesive to hold the paper in place.  It also strengthens and protects the paper and gives it a pretty sheen.  Crystal Lacquer is water soluble, so you can clean up messes as you go and you can clean and save your paint brush when you’re done!

Here are some charms I made from the instruction sheets without adding color:

And here are some I made with watercolor paint:

I made the necklace from the second set.  I punched holes in each blank after the Crystal Lacquer was dry.  You could also drill the holes.

I love mother of pearl, and I thought buttons would be fun on a sewing-themed necklace.  Then I
added my favorite jewelry components, freshwater pearls and Austrian crystals.

Here’s another view of the necklace:

During the month of April, you can use the code TERRI04 to save 20% on Crystal Lacquer at Sakura Hobby Craft.  Now is a great time to try Crystal Lacquer if you are new to it, or stock up if you already love it!

I hope you will make some Crystal Lacquer charms for yourself!  As always, I would love to hear about your projects!

Page by Page

Garden Mini Album

This month I really wanted to experiment with my products from Sakura Hobby Crafts. It really didn't matter what I created, this project was going to be all about techniques and that black chipboard album I made years ago. I knew the colours would pop off this chipboard and I was right. Every page is made using only the following products.

3D Crystal Lacquer

Metallic & Pearl Glitter Color Set

Jewel Effects Mica Powder

Metallic Glitter Pens

Rub-Ons

paper flowers

ribbon

On each of the pages I painted a simple base coat of Mica and 

3D Crystal Lacquer. About 1 tablespoon liquid lacquer to a 1/4 teaspoon of mica powder.

 For the front cover I used an old sticker sheet and cut turned it into a template. I applied coloured lacquer to the cut out parts.

 The flower below was made by twisting together dried lacquer. It looks so pretty in person.

To this butterfly page I added my base colour first. Then I added some wax drops to the page and melted them on. I painted over them and then removed the excess wax. This turned out great. I love love love the take away effect.

 This butterfly was made with a rubber stamp. I then outlined the image with my Metallic Glitter Pens. I filled it in with the 3D Crystal Lacquer, don't you just love how it highlighted the colours from underneath?

 You know that extra stuff you can't use and gets left on the table to dry up? Well I reapplied the leftovers to the page above. Then I put a rub-on on top of the leftovers and Crystal Lacquered the hell out of it. Its shiney, it should have attracted a crow instead of the pretty bird I drew, cut out and applied to this page. Giggle!

More rub-ons (above)

 This page and the following page were made using a template that I painted the 3D Crystal lacquer and Mica mixture right over top of.

The butterfly above is actually the plastic backing of sticker that I painted right onto. I should have stamped on it, now that I look at it, LOL. Oh well, next time. I've come up with some fun new techniques and I hope to discover many more over the next few months. 

Don't hesitate to find me on facebook (Lee Brehon) if you'd like to ask me a question about any of the items I make using the SAKURA HOBBY CRAFTS

If you'd like to try the Crystal Lacquer for yourself (I know you do) you can get 20% off of this product for the entire month of April - just use the code Terri04 at checkout.

P.S. I have a couple of HOT TIPS coming this way shortly, so keep an eye on this site - bookmark this page or better yet, sign up for our emails. Its a great way to stay in touch with all of us!

Tiled Tag

Hello I hope your having a great day!
Today I am sharing a tiled tag made with Sakura's 3D Crystal Lacquer.

 

List of Supplies:

 

Sakura

3D Crystal Lacquer

Terri Sproul Mixers

Tags

Embellishments
Teflon Craft Sheet

 

Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer is on sale the entire

month of April so get yours today with coupon code
"Terri04" for 20% off your purchase!

I poured some 3D Crystal Lacquer onto my craft sheet.

 

Next I mixed some Terri Sproul Mixers into the lacquer.

 

 

 

I swirled the colors together slightly and let dry.

 

Once completely dry I cut it into pieces

 

 

I ended up doing this process twice as I didn't have enough.

I also cut this into pieces when dried.

 

I  prepared a tag and started to glue my pieces down with 3D Crystal lacquer.

 

 

I covered the majority of the tag and filled in the empty spots as much as possible.

 

 

I wanted some complementary paper to bring out the colors.

 

I made holes in the tags and threaded through some hand made glass dangly charms.

 

I also cut a piece of the hardened lacquer into a wing for my charm.

 

 

I glued this on with 3D Crystal Lacquer.

I added some hand made flowers.

 I covered the yellow flower in 3D Crystal lacquer.

 

I was pleased with my results.

Here are the final photos..

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and remember to get your

20% off at the checkout using Terri04 coupon code here

 

 

Live, Love, and Create Canvas using Crystal Color Lacquer

I love it when I get to play with new products, and I love it even more when it's something that was fun to create.  My project for this month, is what I call Live, Love, Create using Sakura Hobby Craft Crystal Color Lacquer.

The Crystal Color Lacquer are very easy to use and not to mention gives any project such as my Live, Love, Create Canvas a cool 3 Dimensional touch.

To create this canvas I played with various things, which is while I love playing with mixed media, because you can play with different textures, tools, paints, and always get an awesome project. What I loved the most about this canvas is that I was able to use scrapbooking paper by SusieBee Studios and implement the Crystal Color Lacquer to give the flowers an awesome 3D affect.

Now you can use different medias to get this affect, but here is what I did:

Materials Used by Sakura Hobby Craft:

• Crystal Color Lacquer
• Terri Sproul Shimmer Mixers
• Crystal Lacquer

Other Materials Used:

• Mod Podge
• SusieBee Live Studio Collection
• Drawing Pad
• Buttons Galore & More - Buttons
• Swirl Stamp
• ColorBox - Lipstick Red Inkpad
• Apple Barrel Acrylic Paints
• Hot Glue
• Zig Memory Marker
• Paint Brushes
• Gesso
• Daler Rowney 8 x 11 canvas
• Prisma Watercolor pencils

Step One:

Gather all your supplies

Step Two:

Once you have all your supplies gathered, you can then apply Gesso to your canvas.  I used a Daler Rowney Canvas, but any canvas would do just as good.

Step Three:

Once your Gesso is dried you can use scrap pieces of paper to apply to your canvas.  I used Mod Podge to adhere my scrap to the canvas.

Step Four:

Paint your canvas with various colors of acrylic Paint of your choice.  Try using colors that will blend well with your scraps that you will be using.  To give my canvas a Shimmer, I mixed a little of Terri Sproul's shimmer mixers with a drop of Crystal Lacquer to the acrylic paint, just don't use too much lacquer just a drop will do.

Step Five:

If you know how to draw you can draw a little girl just like the one I drew below.  I just cut her out once I finished and applied directly to the canvas with Mod Podge.  Let this all dry before you begin coloring her in.

Step Six:

Now once you have your girl in place you can begin to color her in with Prisma Watercolor pencils.  I outlined her with a Zig Memory Marker and then I applied a little of the Crystal Color Lacquer to her flowers that she has both on her hair and hands.

Step Seven:

I cut out flowers from SusieBee Studio paper collection and adhered to my canvas using Mod Podge. 

Step Eight:

I used a swirl stamp and begin stamping the canvas in random patterns.  I used Colorbox Lipstick Red ink for the stamping.  Once I had that I also used the Crystal Color Lacquer and painted a stem to the flower.  

Try letting the Crystal Color Lacquer dry before you do alot of stamping, because otherwise you may smudge your project.

Step Nine:

I used Buttons Galore & More Buttons for the center of my flowers that give it a more dimensional feel as well.  I topped it off with the Crystal Color Lacquer.

Step Ten:

Once you are all done you have an amazing piece that will definitely wow anyone.

I hope you enjoyed this project.  Be sure to take advantage of Sakura Hobby Craft's Coupon for your Crystal Lacquer use the code Terri04 for your 20% OFF!!!!

Moulding with 3D Crystal Lacquer

 

 

This was an experiment that worked out so wonderful!!!  Because I live in a humid area, I wasn't sure how long it would take to mould, but I found a way to do this faster!

This collage is done on a board book, with ink, stamps, and collage.  What makes this collage "pop" is the column, I moulded with 3D Crystal Lacquer.  The mould used is a silacone mould, flexible to remove finished piece.

1.  The way I was able to mould this piece is : A) Did not fill the mould all the way up.  B)  Do in layers.
2.  Think of the colors you would like to work with in the mould.  Remember you can do several techniques (Mix TS mixers with lacquer first to create a custom color, add and mix/marble clear lacquer with color lacquer, etc.).
3.  For this project, I used the new Metallic 3D Crystal Lacquer. 

These colors are so yummy!!  I started with the silver color and squeezed it in the very bottom of the mould.  I let this dry.  It is a thin layer, not too thick so it dries within a day or 1/2 day.

Next I added a little clear, added some of the copper and mixed.  I did this right on top of the silver.  After that dried, I added more silver, and a little copper and mixed.

Then when that dried, I added gold.  So I kept doing this until I filled 1/2 the mould.  There is enough shape that I didn't have to fill it more for the piece to show the column. 

4.  Once the whole piece is dried, pop it out and use clear 3D Crystal Lacquer as an adhesive to secure the column to your collage.  This will ensure that an element a bit heavier than paper will stay in place on the collage.

 

In this collage, the torso is done with clear and copper.  It looks old and aged yet shiny!

 

 

 3D Crystal Lacquer is a versatile product for all your crafting needs.  Add TS Mixer's or the pre-colored lacquer sets to enhance any artwork!!!  3D Crystal Lacquer adds depth and dimension and can also become a shiny paint and accents.

 

The DT shows you ideas and tutorials so you can go beyond, dew drops or just covering an image.  The basics are GrEaT but go outside the box and try new ways to create with 3D Crystal Lacquer!!!!

 

 

 

 This code is good ALL April!!!  Stock up and don't forget to get the new Metallic 3D Crystal Lacquer.  Love the colors!

 

Cre8tiveLea Yours - Lea



3D Collaged Necklace

Hi there! Dale here....

This week, I wanted to try numerous things using 3D Crystal Lacquer and sometimes all those ideas are overwhelming.  So, I stepped back and concentrated on the first one that came to mind and wanted to try as I am going to see Oprah on April 14th, so I wanted a special necklace for that date.

I am one of those people who is unable to wear regular jewelry, I am allergic to metal.  Sometimes, I can find something out there that I like and can wear but not often.

So......I decided to make my own special 3D Collage Necklace.

I started with collected images and words from magazines that spoke to me.  I've been in a joyous mood lately and the word "JOY" popped out first thing.
I have several chipboard shapes in my embellishment box, so decided to use this 4 inch X 2 inch oval one.

I glued down the background image (image of metal drawers somewhere), added the words and the funky circle image.

Then, it was time to add the Sakura Hobby Craft 3D Crystal Lacquer (which is on special this month if you use the code Terri04 )
When I had picked out the magazine images, I totally forgot about the colours from the backside....oops.

While the 3D Crystal Lacquer was drying, I started on the clock part of this project.  I had these curtain rings in different sizes, that were perfect for adding to the back of the clock image so when I added the lacquer to the front, it wouldn't fall through.  I have had these little rhinestones in a package for a couple years and decided, even though, I'm not a rhinestone person these would work on this click face.

When I first looked at this project (like the picture above) I was devastated that the colours from the reverse of the images was coming through.  I calmed myself down by saying "Maybe when it dried it wouldn't be so severe."

In the morning, it was still showing, but I think it added to the project for me.  Others might have tossed it, but making ART is all about expressing yourself and this talks to me about me.

I added blue marker all around the edge of the chipboard covered the back with a book text and then added the silk ribbon. The colours in the funky circle image on the chipboard are not as severe and I'm hoping once the clock face totally dries (the top is dry but not the underneath as it was thick) it might be toned down a little.
I am happy with this 3D Collage Necklace and will wear it proudly on my Oprah date.

Now is a great time to try Crystal Lacquer, because during the month of April, you can save 20% by entering the code Terri04 when you check out at Sakura Hobby Craft.  You will be amazed at how easy it is to use!