Paper Scrap Jewelry with Lori

If you're like me, by the time you've made several projects with your favorite papers, you have a bunch of scraps left that you can't BEAR to part with because it's SO COOL.  One of my new favorite paper scrap projects is jewelry.  There are plenty of ways to go here, from fast & simple to the limits of your imagination.

So today, I wanted to share a recent jewelry project I made using some of MY favorite papers - Steampunk Debutante from Graphic45.  This paper is currently sold out at Cutters Creek, but I KNOW you have your own favorite to work with already!  Here's the centerpiece of my project:

 

While this project is super easy, it is a little time consuming, just because of drying time.  Here's what I did: I smashed a bottle cap using a No More Shims mat in my Sizzix Big Kick (this was actually the inspiration for this project, as seeing the smashed bottle cap sitting there the shape reminded me of a gear).  Next, I colored/distressed the bottle cap "frame" area using various inks and embossing powders.  (Distress inks will NOT work for this project as they bead up.)  You can randomly sprinkle on the embossing powders and heat them with a heat tool, then once cool add your ink color(s) and heat again to dry the ink.

Next, I chose the image I wanted to frame, and adhered it to the center of the bottle cap with Glossy Accents and let it dry.  Once dry, I squeezed on more Glossy Accents around the outer edge and sprinkled in a micro bead mixture I had in my stash.  Suze Weinburg's Beadazzles are a great option for this!  I filled the rest of the frame with the Glossy Accents and let it dry over night.  IMPORTANT: If you do this all at once, your Glossy Accents will crack as it dries (what I wanted and got for this piece, but for most you will not) - if you want a clean & smooth surface, be sure to fill in layers, letting it dry completely in between each layer.

Finally, I just needed to decide how to attach the piece to my project.  For this necklace, I chose to drill holes in the sides where I wanted to attach it to the rest of the piece.  An even easier option is to attach a pendant bail to the back of the bottle cap and string it right on to your chain.  Here's a view of my finished project:

If you'd like to see a super easy bracelet project I made for my Mom for Christmas, I've got a post today over on my blog.  Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to let us know if you have any questions about this fun technique.