2019 #14 Inchies & Twinchies: Diddy Jewellery with EKC {by Helen Chilton}

2019 Topic 14: Inchies & Twinchies

Helen's bright idea of using Stampbord really takes the jewellery to a bespoke level. You'd never know its humble beginnings and the etching gives gorgeous dimension. The echoes of the images in the background make for a beautiful duo.

Hi everyone, it's Helen with you today, and I'd like to share with you a pendant and a bracelet decorated with some of Kay's new flowers.
When the topic said 'Inchies and Twinchies', I immediately thought of Stampbord which comes in just those sizes and is one of my favourite surfaces. Kay's stamps work well because they're made up of lots of little flowers, ideal for a small area.
I've always wanted to make a bracelet using the inch tiles but the problem has always been that if you use a Cropadile to punch the holes you've lost most of the surface. I got round this by using an old hand drill that was in the tool box (now staying in my craft room!) - wonderful! Perfect size holes and I even found some tiny eyelets in my stash that fit. 

 

I've just dripped the alcohol inks on these and left them without using blending solution. It's quite dark but no worries as...

...you can lighten it up with a baby wipe.

I always press the Stampbord piece onto the stamp.

I'm using quite a wide scraper from the original Stampbord set. It's always worth practising etching on a spare piece, especially with this tool as otherwise you can scrape out the wrong bit! I like this tool as it creates a lovely sweep and doesn't dig in like the sharp pointed etcher. Does that make sense? I hope so!

After etching you can add colour back in if you like.

I then used the stencils and stamps to make some tags. I love the way the stamps have slightly  'missed' the stencilling - it seems to give more depth.

I was so carried away with the Inchie theme that I drew some on the tags and then punched out some extra ones to go on top.

You'll want to neaten up the backs of these Stampbord tiles - I just used scrapbook paper and then edged with a silver chrome pen. As these are for wearing you do need to varnish them on both sides. I used a spray varnish and then added some Liquid Glass to the petals. As you can see I made my bracelet on the diagonal which does work, but if I did it again I'd work on the square as it sits better on the wrist. My own fault - I was too lazy to drill all the holes and attach the jump rings! It might have been easier to use wire instead to attach them as I did with the pendant. I can see I'm going to have to try another one to find out!

Watch this space!

Helen

Blog: A Splash of Colour