Do It Yourself Washer Pendant
This is a great project for a rainy day...or any day! You can make several of them at once, and decide how far you want to go with them. Hang them from a simple cord, or use them as a centerpiece on your own beaded masterpiece.
Materials:
Washer (from any hardware store or your own toolbox)
Origami Paper (available online or at specialty craft stores)
Diamond Glaze (crafting adhesive medium, available at craft stores)
Craft sticks
X-ACTO Knife
Craft cutting board
Wax paper
Small grit sandpaper
Optional Materials:
Pour-On Epoxy (2 part mix is best, just mix up what you need)
Liquid Leaf (silver, by Plaid, available at craft and hardware stores)
Cotton Swabs
Start with selecting the section of your origami paper that you want to show on the pendant, and place the pendant over the area you want to cut. It is VERY important that you have a sharp exacto blade, or you may tear your paper. Cut around your washer first, and without moving the washer, cut the interior circle second. You should be able to push the cut piece right through, but if not, turn your origami paper over to the white side and just follow your edges you've created with your exacto knife until it is completely cut. Lay aside.
Place your washer on the wax paper. Place 4 drops of diamond glaze on the surface side of the washer you want to cover (I always cover the smoother, rounder side). Spread with craft stick, it's okay if some spills over the edge a little, you can clean it later. Place your origami cutting directly on the diamond glaze and press down. You should see some of the diamond glaze ooze out, and that's good...you want to make sure it's good and stuck! Then, add 4 more drops of diamond glaze to the top of your origami paper and spread around again. Let this dry...about an hour, depending on how much diamond gaze you used on top.
When your washer is dry, carefully remove it from the wax paper. Use your small grit sand paper to remove the extra diamond glaze from the sides and bottom of washer. You may choose to do the other side repeating the same instructions, but it is not necessary. Your pendant is now ready to string, unless you want the "high-gloss" option I've instructed below.
High Gloss Option
After your pendant is dry, remove to fresh piece of wax paper. Mix your epoxy per instructions on label, and remember, you don't need very much....about a tablespoon will cover several. After your epoxy is thoroughly mixed, very slowly and carefully pour over your pendant, trying not to get too much on, about 1/8" or less...you can spread it around with your craft stick to even it out. When you're done spreading your epoxy, you must let your pendant dry for 24-72 hours, depending on the thickness of the pour. I know it seems like a long time, but if you've made several it doesn't seem so long...and the wait is totally worth it! When the epoxy is dry, use your sandpaper on the sides and back to remove the excess dried epoxy. After sanding, I then use the Liquid Leaf and a cotton swab, and just dot the entire back of the washer to give it a "hammered" appearance. When this dries (about 30 minutes or less) put a quick coat of diamond glaze over the top, and your high gloss pendant is complete!
I hope these instructions will help you...it was a lot of trial and error for me to get this formula right, and hopefully you'll be able to make some beautiful pendants for yourself or for gifts this holiday season.
By Sheri Hill
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