I sat down earlier and had a go with some of the new stock we got in at the studio.  You knew I was going to have to use SOME of it, right?!  LOL!

Anyway, I had been wanting to do these for a while, and wanting to try this Judikins Diamond Glaze, and WOOHOO!  Since it’s getting close to Christmas, I was thinking of making some of these up for some Christmas gifts.  So sweet, and functional too.  YAY!

I thought I would walk you through how easy these are to make!

For your supplies you will need to print your pics on some cardstock.  {I think glossy photo paper would work too, as long as you let it COMPLETELY dry before you tried gluing.}  CLEAR adhesive.  I used Judikins Diamond Glaze {we’ll have some in the store once I get the cart updated}, Gems {will have these too!}, Magnets {yep, those too!}, a hole punch or scissors, and a sanding block or file.

The size of your gem is really going to determine the size of your photos and all that.  I’m using some 1.25 inch flat backed gems. {only they aren’t perfectly flat.}

So, punch or cut out all your pics…

aren’t they cute?  They look like game pieces.  I suddenly want to play the game of LIFE.  Remember that one?  HAHA!

Once your circles are punched out, go through the gems and pick which ones are best for each photo.  The gems aren’t perfect, they have divots to them, and you don’t want a divot right on someone’s face!

See, this one {below}  I’m aligning the flaw in the gem over the towel on his shoulder.  This way you can barely see it.

Once you have all your gems picked out, its time to start gluing.  **DONT PUT TOO MUCH!!**  Judikins is a lot thinner then I thought it would be, and I kind of made a mess on my first one.  This is way too much glue!  Its ok though, it dries COMPLETELY CLEAR!

Make sure you work ALL the air bubbles out.  We want these to last, and not come apart in a week or two!

Now when I was done, and after they had set to dry, I noticed my  photo backings were a little over the edges of the gems.  This is because the edges of the gems are rounded.

Since I didn’t like that sticking out, and I didn’t want them snagging on anything I decided to sand them down.

Sanding on glass?  ARE YOU CRAZY?

Hush I say!  As long as you do it like THIS it will be ok and  you wont scratch up the gem.  Once it’s COMPLETELY DRY, just hold the photo FACING YOU. 

And gently swipe AWAY on a sanding block.   This rubs off excess paper without pulling the paper off the gem.  Don’t rub in both directions.  Rub away ONLY…

Then take a break and see what set off the security system…

What Gump?!  What is it?!

Once you have sanded down to where you are satisfied,

it’s time to add the magnets.

just flip em all over bottoms up.  Put some Judikins, and place the magnet.

Its very important that you get the magnet as center as you can.  These gems are not uniform and some may be heavier on one side then the other.  If the magnet isn’t centered its going to make gravity turn your magnet until the heaviest side is down.  We don’t want wompigated magnets!  I also used LOTS of glue, because I didn’t want my magnets falling off!

When you are finished, its very important you thank all of your assistants.

Fanks for keepin my toesys warm Gumpers!

Once they are completely dry, you are good to go!  If you aren’t taking pictures as you go, this project will probably take less then an hour.

If you would like to order the supplies for this project, I do not have them in the store yet.  You can just email me and I will invoice you thru PayPal.  The cost is $10. plus shipping {Priority Flatrate – US:$4.95 Overseas:$10.95}  This pack will include: Judikins, Gems, and a set of Magnets. 

**UPDATE**
I believe I am SOLD OUT!  {at least I think I am.  I am still waiting on payment from two people.  I will let you know if they cancel.} OMG, I did not know how many people would like those!   I will definitely order more on the next order for the Studio, and let you know when they are in stock.

Thanks for READING!
><

8 Responses to “Fun with magnets {how to…}”