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Glass glob bracelets are made by finding a cool subject or pattern from an image in a magazine or other sturdy paper product, and magnifying it with a glass glob to make it more visible. Making a glass glob bracelet is fun and fairly easy, but can be time-consuming if you don't already have your materials together. So let's go over what you're going to need for this project.
Glass glob bracelets are made by finding a cool subject or pattern from an image in a magazine or other sturdy paper product, and magnifying it with a glass glob to make it more visible. Making a glass glob bracelet is fun and fairly easy, but can be time-consuming if you don't already have your materials together. So let's go over what you're going to need for this project.
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Signing UpStep 1What You're Going To Need: Hot Glue Gun
Hot glue gun. You can find one at any craft store or super center, like Walmart. Remember to be careful when using one. They really do get very hot.
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I got supplies from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunAndMoonCraftKits
and was pleased with the quality and prices. I got their squares, rectangles, bails, and some super strong rare earth magnets. I searched for "digital collage sheet" on Etsy and found a ton of products for super cheap, so if you don't have a bunch of magazines you can get artwork online.
Some tips: you don't need expensive glue. The Aleene's works really well, as does Mod Podge. Elmer's tends to peel off. There's some goop you can get called Diamond Glaze, in the scrapbooking section, which works well but is more expensive and IMHO not worth the extra few bucks.
Wear gloves (nitrile, plastic, latex) when you're gluing because you'll wind up with glue all over your hands if you're doing more than 5 or 6 pieces. The glue won't hurt you but it's, well, sticky. Or keep a wet washcloth nearby for wiping fingers.
If you're using a design you've downloaded, get it on a laser print out instead of inkjet. Office Depot, Staples, Kinko's, places like that can print them out for you. Inkjet will smear when you glue it.
For a nice finished back, first coat the paper with a bit of glue to seal it. When dry, paint it with an enamel paint (such as nail polish). I use white first, to match the paper, and then black or some other color on top of that. Sometimes if you use a dark color first it will show through the paper.
If you screw up just soak the piece in really hot water and after a few minutes the whole paper bit will slide right off. You probably can't reuse the paper, but the glass will be just fine. Clean up with acetone (polish remover) if there's any gluey residue.
Superglue works a treat to hold the bail or magnet in place. I don't recommend supergluing on the paper part, although when one of my pendants delaminated, I was able to superglue it back together. The slippy surface of the previously glued-on paper made a good surface for the superglue and didn't do weird things to the paper, probably because the paper was sealed with the craft glue. Superglue sometimes makes the paper turn translucent which is why I don't use it for the whole process.
The piece is not waterproof, so don't wear it in the shower or while swimming. But it will hold up OK to regular wear.
Hope these tips are useful!