Simple, Adorable and Unique Glass Tile Pendants
Do you love to wear jewellery which is unique and beautiful or makes a statement about who you are? Would you like to learn how to make unique and lovely glass tile pendants that reflect your own style?
Glass tile pendants are very easy to create and you don't even need any artistic talent or crafting skills, and they hardly take any time at all. In fact, when I am making these pendants, the longest parts are choosing what to put on the pendant and then waiting for the glues and lacquers to dry! Patience is a virtue, I hear you all say.
Not only are these pendants easy and quick to make, the possibilities are endless... there are thousands of variations of paper stock available with beautiful patterns. My favourite is the Japanese chiyogami paper which is heavily influenced by the years I lived and worked in Japan and I have found a local stationery store which stocks so many variations of these papers. I am in heaven!
I have only recently become interested in making my own glass tile pendants and would like to share with you just how easy they are. I have created quite a range of pendants already, and even created one for my sister's birthday which was an absolute hit! So join me in this easy step-by-step guide to making your own glass tile pendants.
Glass tile pendants are very easy to create and you don't even need any artistic talent or crafting skills, and they hardly take any time at all. In fact, when I am making these pendants, the longest parts are choosing what to put on the pendant and then waiting for the glues and lacquers to dry! Patience is a virtue, I hear you all say.
Not only are these pendants easy and quick to make, the possibilities are endless... there are thousands of variations of paper stock available with beautiful patterns. My favourite is the Japanese chiyogami paper which is heavily influenced by the years I lived and worked in Japan and I have found a local stationery store which stocks so many variations of these papers. I am in heaven!
I have only recently become interested in making my own glass tile pendants and would like to share with you just how easy they are. I have created quite a range of pendants already, and even created one for my sister's birthday which was an absolute hit! So join me in this easy step-by-step guide to making your own glass tile pendants.
Contents at a Glance
Step 1 ~ Choose Your Paper or Design
Make it unique and personal!
As I mentioned earlier, I find this the hardest part of creating the glass tile pendants. I have so many designs that I would love to have on a pendant that I am almost unable to make a decision - perhaps I have far too many choices!I love all things Japanese after living there for a number of years. This love is reflected in the types of glass pendants I have made so far, but I have also been collecting unusual and decorative papers from art and craft stores in the local area and am now spoilt for even more choice!
For those of you with an artistic flair, why not create a mini version of one of your amazing creations to use? This can be done easily with scanning and resizing the image for the dimensions of the tile.
For special occasions, you may like to use a photograph for the pendant. This would make a great gift for birthdays or Mother's Day.
Once you have decided which paper, photograph or artwork you are going to use, it is time to move onto the next step.
Japanese Chiyogami Paper
Perfect for glass pendants
I just love the Japanese patterns available and they look stunning as glass pendants. I have created a few now and always get compliments when I wear them.
Yuzen Chiyogami LARGE Set of 40 Sheets
Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)
This set of Yuzen Chiyogami paper includes 20 sheets of differently patterned paper as well as 20 sheets of contrasting solid colors, which makes this set perfect for any artwork.
The patterns are printed on heavy duty professional grade rice paper and includes beautiful designs in a range of colors with outlines in gold and silver.
The sheets are 5 - 7/8 inch square, which means they are suitable for a range of arts and crafts as well as making these beautiful glass tile pendants.
Design Ideas
Visit your local craft store ~
they will often sell collections
of offcuts of beautiful papers.
These can be used to make
unique and interesting
glass tile pendants
for your necklaces
Step 2 ~ Choose your style
Round, Oval, Square or Rectangle
Once you have decided on the design, the next step is to choose the style or shape that best suits the design you have chosen. Some designs will suit any shape or style, but often you will find a design that will only suit one or two shapes. The aim is to find the perfect shape to complement the design.
For some people, it may be easier to decide what shaped pendant they would like first, then decide on the best design for the shape (which is how my husband seems to decide), so these first two steps are interchangeable.
For some people, it may be easier to decide what shaped pendant they would like first, then decide on the best design for the shape (which is how my husband seems to decide), so these first two steps are interchangeable.
Designing Hint
If you are unsure if the design
you have chosen will suit the shape,
print out the design and place the
glass tile over the shape.
This gives you a good idea of how
the finished product will look
through the glass.
I often use this method
to help decide between
my two or three favourite designs.
Step 3 ~ Prepare the Design
Much easier than it sounds!
Firstly if you are using images that have been printed using an inkjet printer you need to make the image water resistant and stops the inks from running. I use a digital photo and paper protectant. I tend to use this with all papers as it also provides UV protection against fading. With the spray I use, you must hold the paper vertically and spray and then it can be laid flat to dry. The paper should be sprayed on both sides.
Once the paper has been prepared with the paper protectant, you need to cut the paper. My advice is to cut the paper so it is slightly bigger than the shape of the pendant. This gives you a little bit of leeway in moving the paper depending on the design and ensures that the whole glass tile is covered with the image. The excess paper will be trimmed off later to create a clean tile.
Once the paper has been prepared with the paper protectant, you need to cut the paper. My advice is to cut the paper so it is slightly bigger than the shape of the pendant. This gives you a little bit of leeway in moving the paper depending on the design and ensures that the whole glass tile is covered with the image. The excess paper will be trimmed off later to create a clean tile.
Step 4 ~ Attach the Design to the Glass Tile
The Real Fun Begins
The glass tiles usually have a smooth side and the textured side. The image is always put face down on the textured side of the glass.
Apply an adhesive or diamond glaze (I use 3D Crystal Lacquer) over the textured side of the glass then place the image face down on the textured side of the glass so you can see the image through glass. Press firmly, ensuring that all air bubbles are removed between the paper and the glass.
The pendant should now be left to dry. The time required is dependant on the adhesive or diamond glaze used, but I tend to leave it overnight.
Apply an adhesive or diamond glaze (I use 3D Crystal Lacquer) over the textured side of the glass then place the image face down on the textured side of the glass so you can see the image through glass. Press firmly, ensuring that all air bubbles are removed between the paper and the glass.
The pendant should now be left to dry. The time required is dependant on the adhesive or diamond glaze used, but I tend to leave it overnight.
Step 4 Photos
It really is this easy!
Spray both sides of the paper with protectant, holding it upright. Lay flat to dry.
Step 5 ~ Preparing the Back of the Pendant
Making it look professional
This is a very important part of the process and results in a professional looking glass tile pendant.
Firstly, trim of the excess paper from around the edge of the tile, using either scissors or a crafting knife. The crafting knife results in a nice clean edge and makes it easier to achieve the rounded corners.
To create a lovely finished pendant, apply a thin layer of diamond glaze over the back of the pendant and then apply card stock to the back of the pendant. I tend to use black card stock, but you could use any color. Metallic papers could also be a good choice. Then leave to dry.
Once this has dried, you may need to trim any excess card stock to make the edges clean with the glass tile.
Now you need to put a layer of the cyrstal lacquer over the edges of the glass tile and the back to seal it all.
Firstly, trim of the excess paper from around the edge of the tile, using either scissors or a crafting knife. The crafting knife results in a nice clean edge and makes it easier to achieve the rounded corners.
To create a lovely finished pendant, apply a thin layer of diamond glaze over the back of the pendant and then apply card stock to the back of the pendant. I tend to use black card stock, but you could use any color. Metallic papers could also be a good choice. Then leave to dry.
Once this has dried, you may need to trim any excess card stock to make the edges clean with the glass tile.
Now you need to put a layer of the cyrstal lacquer over the edges of the glass tile and the back to seal it all.
Step 6 ~ Attach the Bail
Turning a glass tile into a pendant
Once the back of the pendant has dried and the excess card stock has been trimmed off, it is time to attach the bail to the glass tile.
Using a strong adhesive, such as E-6000, place the bail on the back of the pendant ensuring that it is centred and pressing it firmly in place. If any of the adhesive squeezes out from under the bail, ensure to clean it off immediately.
This now needs to be left to dry and I would recommend that it is left for 24 hours to ensure the bail is completely attached before hanging it from a chain.
Using a strong adhesive, such as E-6000, place the bail on the back of the pendant ensuring that it is centred and pressing it firmly in place. If any of the adhesive squeezes out from under the bail, ensure to clean it off immediately.
This now needs to be left to dry and I would recommend that it is left for 24 hours to ensure the bail is completely attached before hanging it from a chain.
Step-by-step Photos
The last few steps!
Trim the excess paper from around the glass tile.
Set 7 ~ Show off your creation
The finished pendant
Now that you have waited the 24 hours for the glue on the bail to dry, it is ready to wear. Thread it onto a necklace and show it off to family and friends.
This is one of my favourites that I made earlier in the week!
Step-by-Step Video
For seeing exactly how easy it is!
For those of you who like to watch how these glass tile pendants are made, here are a few video tutorials which show exactly how fast and east these pendants are.
curated content from YouTube
Glass Tile Pendant Supplies
All you need is here!
If you are wanting to try making your own glass tile pendants, these are the only supplies you will need - the glass tiles, beautiful Japanese chiyogami paper, bails and the adhesives and sealants.
Why not try making your own glass tile pendant today?
Why not try making your own glass tile pendant today?
A Little About GiftsBonanza
A sneak peek
Making unique glass tile pendants
Will you dare to try?
Would you like to make your own glass tile pendant? What sort would you like to try? I would love to hear the style or type of design you would choose for your own special pendant.
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Grmmies Glitz n Glam
May 1, 2012 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- Hello have a question for you....I made some glass pendants last night and some of them turned my scrapbook paper a different color. Any suggestions on this?
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GiftsBonanza
May 18, 2012 @ 10:54 am | delete
- Hi, does it look as if the colours have run into each other? If that is the case, did you use a protectant on the paper before making the pendant (and gave it sufficient time to dry)? I use a digital photo and paper protectant. Perhaps you could give me some more information and then I may be able to offer a possible solution.
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Harbinder
Apr 22, 2012 @ 1:20 pm | delete
- Is it possible to use silk or other fabrics instead of photos?
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GiftsBonanza
Apr 22, 2012 @ 2:05 pm | delete
- Hi Harbinder. I have never tried silk , but have created printed cotton pendants by actually glueing the fabric around a glass tile tucking the cuts of the fabric on the flat bottom and then spraying the fabric with a waterproofing acrylic spray. Then inserting the fabric on glass tile into a pendent setting.
I can only see one problem why replacing paper with a fabric and creating a pendant similar to the main tutorial may be a problem and that is staining of the fabric with the glaze . Perhaps test just one pendant and leave for two or three months to see if the silk stains, please let me know your results if you try I would be very interested.
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Karina
Apr 11, 2012 @ 12:07 pm | delete
- Hi, I just have one question. I just made some using 'finishing touch' diamond glaze. I used it to glue the photo (printed on waterproof photo paper) onto the silver pendant backing, then glued over the top of the photo before attaching the glass which has a slight dome to it. My problem is that the colours are nowhere near as vibrant as they were in the original print. They have only been drying for 2 hours, maybe they'll get darker as the glaze dries more. But thought I'd ask before making anymore. Thanks in advance, Karina
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