Picture This

Getting the right picture for a pendant or pair of earrings can sometimes be frustrating. In order to get started, I open several pictures for ideas in Photoshop. Then I create a new file for my own image. But a lot of times, I just don't know how to get the effects I want.
  

There are a bunch of tutorial websites for Photoshop, as well as websites that offer free brushes. I have been doing this for years and I still find something new.

  

Check out http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/photoshop/1 or http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=19756.

  

Into any search engine you can type "tutorial photoshop" or "photoshop hair". Just replace the word "hair" with the thing you are trying to create.

  

Here's a great tutorial showing how to change Tom Cruise into an avatar. http://www.photoshoplady.com/tutorial/awesome-avatar-transformation-using-photoshop/2661. That particular one offers a free pair of ears.

  

Between the idea pictures and the Photoshop tutorials, after a while I can usually get the results I am after.

Looking for pendant dishes

I create pictures digitally. I love doing this. Best job in the world, bar none. But how to turn them into jewelry without spending a ton of money or a ton of time is a challenge. I tried the polymer clay route. With many different versions of transfers. I liked Fimo the best. Well, that is before they changed the recipe. After that, I couldn't get anything to work right. So I moved on.

I tried putting the pictures on wood. Eh.

Then I tried creating my own bezel (pendant dish, pendant blank, some place to put a picture on jewelry) and having it manufactured. It was an interesting process. I was tired of it when I was done. But now I think I have found a good combination. Pretty, fairly lightweight, affordable, and did I mention, pretty. How long I will stick with this type of picture jewelry I do not know. But I really like the product this time, soo.....

Unique Pendants and Earrings

There is a new website selling unique pendants and earrings. This picture jewelry is made for someone who doesn't want to run into a friend or coworker wearing the same thing.

This is for people who want to stand out, get noticed, and get compliments!

Take a look: www.classywares.com

Making Picture Pendant Jewelry

I added a polymer clay frame to this pendant, along with a Swarovsky crystal pearl and a little bead cap. Now days, I usually add a jump ring as well, so a chain or cord can slide right through.

It's important to match the color of the crystals, beads, and eye pins to the colors in the picture. Otherwise the whole piece looks "slammed together" instead of created together.

A bead or charm can be added at the bottom also by very carefully drilling a hole in the clay along the bottom and attaching an eye pin. Open the eye pin gently just enough to insert the loop of the charm and then close it again so it can't slip out.

In order to get the pieces color coordinated beforehand, I lay them out on my workbench in the order of attachment. That way I can try out different crystals, beads, eye pin, and the chain or cord colors before putting them all together. There are less oops with this method. Plus, I usually come up with more ideas for future pieces while I am picking out the pieces for the one I am working on.

A word about Swarovsky crystals and pearls: wonderful! The shine and sparkle is like no other. It adds class to whatever polymer clay jewelry you are creating. It can get pricey though. I usually get mine from http://www.artbeads.com/ - I like their product quality, free shipping, and quick mailing.

Eye pins I usually get from http://www.craftsetc.com/ - I like the kind with a big "eye". Just easier to work with, but harder to find. It's best not to work the eye pin too much. Or perhaps I should say not more than once. Opening and closing the eye, weakens it. It is best to just open the eye a wee bit and close it gently with needle nose pliers after the charm is inserted. Some jewelry makers use the plastic coated pliers, but I prefer the needle nose pliers.

So, jazz up that picture pendant jewelry with crystals, pearls, and bead caps. The extra work involved pays off and you'll be glad you did!

A Tip on Sealants for Polymer Clay Jewelry

Polymer clay jewelry usually needs to be sealed. Some people leave it natural, but I have found that dirt and oil from a person's skin gets into the tiny crevices of the clay over time. Cleaning it with an abrasive or bleach will fade the colors of the pendant.

Sealing polymer clay is quite interesting. Some varnishes can turn sticky after a period of time, some remain durable, some just never seem to dry. Since I use Fimo Soft polymer clay, I use Varathane varnish, the gloss kind, as a sealant. It is hard to find it, but usually Home Depot carries it. You can find it online also, but I have found it too be expensive because of the cost of shipping.

There is a great forum on the Yahoo groups called Clay - Polymer. If you look through their archives for the brand of clay you use, you will find info about different sealants and the pros and cons.

It pays to research it. The wrong type of sealant can ruin a piece. I once created a giraffe laying down in a garden. It took a long time to create it and I was quite pleased with it when it was finished. I used some leftover varnish - don't even remember the name of it. The stickiness was amazing and everlasting. Finally, deciding that the piece was ruined anyway, I washed it thoroughly with Dawn dish soap. It did take the stickiness off, along with a few flowers. The flowers weren't missed and after several washings the giraffe felt smooth to the touch. Since it wasn't jewelry I left it natural.

Check out what sealant works for your brand of polymer clay and follow the manufacturers directions about having plenty of ventilation and letting it dry sufficiently.

Happy sealing!

Using Your own Image for a Pendant

In the beginning, I started making picture pendants out of polymer clay and t-shirt transfers. Looking back on it, I should have used a lighter background and a better picture. I used Hewlett Packard’s transfer sheets, a Hewlett Packard four in one printer, and an iron. I did get a picture successfully inked onto the clay.

But the picture was a bit hard to see and I wasn’t sure what to do with it after I was finished. Now, I have a better process for using transfer sheets and polymer clay for picture pendants.

First, use white or very light polymer clay. All the brands of polymer clay I’ve used work with this same process, only the baking temperatures vary. Form the shape of the pendant you want. Then stick an eye pin in the top center part for a loop.

Second, make sure your picture is clear, bright, and has good contrast especially around the edges. You want the picture to be the same size as the clay pendant. In order to get it sized right, you can shrink or enlarge it on the four in one printer or a copier. When it is the right size, print it out on the transfer sheet. Cut out the picture leaving an edge around it. It is also good to leave a little “tab” sticking out to peel the transfer sheet off the clay.

Third, warm up your iron. This is a little tricky. You don’t want to exceed the baking temperature of the clay, but you need it hot enough to process the transfer sheet. I used a medium heat. Make sure you have good ventilation in the room and you follow all the safety precautions for using an iron.

Fourth, place the clay on a flat pan. Play the picture, ink side down, on the clay. Make sure the picture is centered. Then rest the iron on the top of the paper. I moved it around gently and slowly for about 44 - 50 seconds. Carefully peek at the clay by lifting the tab a bit. Judging by the quality of the picture transferred onto the clay, you can tell if you need to apply a bit more heat or if it is done.

Now bake the clay pendant in the oven according to the manufacturer’s directions. Let it cool. Pull the eye pin out and glue it in with super glue. I like to use Loctite’s Super Glue with Gel Control. It is easier to get where you want it. You can put a crystal, bead, and or bead cap on the eye pin before gluing it into the clay for extra bling.

For more protection, apply some Varathane varnish to the clay. Let dry between coats. I apply 2 or 3 coats for maximum shine.

Voila, a unique and beautiful picture pendant in the size and color you desire!