| Layering PolyShrink Pieces with Ultra Thin Bond (heat activated adhesive) Following package directions, use your heat gun to activate UTB. Use a small piece of UTB to bond layers of PolyShrink together with no lumps or bumps!
Embellishing with colored wire Make coils by winding (24-28 gauge) around toothpicks or wood skewers. Try wire swirls & zigzags (made with round-nose & needle-nose pliers). Wire can also be used to make jump rings, ornament hangers, and for beading.
Bracelets
Punch a 1/8" hole in the PolyShrink pieces you intend to use as charms. Usually 7 or 8 charms are plenty for a bracelet. Shrink charms. Attach jump rings or charm hangers to all charms with needle-nose pliers. Measure a piece of Stretch Magic on your wrist to determine size & add a little bit extra for tying off. Stretch Magic is a stretchy nylon string used for beading that doesn't require a clasp. String charms & beads onto Stretch Magic. Carefully tie off the strands of Stretch Magic, tightening the knot as much as possible. Or, string charms & beads onto a length of tiger tail wire. Attach a clasp using a crimp bead at each end.
GlassKote
Using a small artist's paint brush, apply a thin layer of Glass Kote. Let first coat dry to the touch (15 minutes or so). If desired, you can embed small decorative elements in the Glass Kote. While the first coat is drying; carefully place wire, small beads, confetti, glitter, etc. on top. Apply the second coat much more thickly. Use the same paint brush & float the Glass Kote on, gently nudging it to the edges. If you've added small decorative items to the first GlassKote layer, you'll gently float the second application of Glass Kote over & around the 3-d elements. Clean paint brush with Glass Kote Thinner. Allow the second coat to dry overnight. When you've used approximately 1/3-1/2 jar of Glass Kote, you may need to add a few drops of Glass Kote Thinner.
| |