Hello everyone, it’s Mary here today. This is the first time that I’m trying out the new Jewelry dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs. I think the earrings came out pretty well! They sparkle much more than they appear in the image due to the beautiful Shimmer Sheetz. I added some Ice Resin to the die cut Shimmer Sheetz earrings which dries up clear and smooth.

Making the Earrings

1. Cut 4 pieces of craft foam large enough to accommodate your chosen jewelry die plus space around it. Cut one piece with the die from the front and one piece from the back (this mainly only matters if the foam has adhesive on it already, otherwise just flip one after cutting). Stick each of the cut pieces to the non cut pieces so one is flipped compared to the other; these will form 2 molds. Note: in my photo below, the foam I used on the bottom was yellow and the foam that I die cut was blue.

2. Seal the molds. I used a thin coat of Multi-Meduim but it came off when I removed the jewelry (which gave the backs a matte texture). You may want to try silicone or other sealer plus a release agent.

3. Using one of the jewelry dies from Jewelry 1, cut 2 pieces from Red Metallic Shimmer Sheetz (use metal adaptor plate with your die cutting machine). Cut one from the front of the sheet and one from the back so one will be a flipped image of the other.

4. Emboss the cut pieces using the Sprig embossing folder by placing each as desired in the folder and temporarily securing them with tape before running them through your die cutting machine (this will keep the pieces from moving). I wanted the sprigs to pop up so I oriented them as such.

5. Sand the embossed side of the sprigs using a sanding block. Paint them with Patina paints as desired (acrylic will likely work as well). Let this dry.

6. Mix Ice Resin as directed, enough to fill both molds. Spread a very small amount into the bottom of each mold – just enough to cover the very bottom. Place your jewelry pieces (painted side up) into the bottom of the molds. Pour more Ice Resin into the molds, just enough to fill them and evenly cover the metallic pieces.

7. Let this dry at least one day or so, until they are mostly dry but still slightly flexible. Remove from molds. Sand edges if necessary. If you would like a curve in them, place them face down into a large tape roll. Press them against the side to give them a curve. Tape to hold them in place against the roll.

8. Let them dry until completely cured, about two more days. Drill small holes in the tops (I used a Dremel tool with a very small drill bit placed on an old rubber mouse pad). Polish edges if desired. Mount on dangle earring wires.

9. To make the card, cut a piece of white cardstock large enough for the earrings to dangle plus room for the stamped sentiment above. Stamp, punch holes for the earrings, and thread the wires through.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 954 Jewelry 1 – Sea Glass
• SS0214 Red Metallic Shimmer Sheetz
• E127 Sprig Embossing Folder
• 803 Metal Adaptor Plate

Other Supplies

• Craft Foam (e.g. Fun Foam)
• Sanding Block
• Ice Resin
• Studio Multi-Medium, Matte
• Patina by Ranger: Emerald, Jade
• Gold Dangle Earring Bases
• White Cardstock
• Stamps
• Ink: Red, Black

Hello my crafty friends, it’s Raquel Mason here today. I like to coordinate my necklace with my earrings so  I was very eager to try out the new jewelry dies. You can create a matching set in so many different colors as there are so many different colors of Shimmer Sheetz to choose from. I had an idea in mind and got right to work.

1.  Cut two pieces of Fire Opal Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz at 4.5 x 5.

2.  Cut a piece of Transparent Double Sided Tape Sheet at 4.5 x 5. Remove the release sheet and adhere to one of the Shimmer Sheetz. Remove the second release sheet and lay the other Shimmer Sheetz on top of the adhesive. You will now have two Shimmer Sheetz adhered together.

3.  Emboss the Shimmer Sheetz using Butterflies Embossing Folder.

4.  Drop several drops of rubbing alcohol and various alcohol inks onto a felt applicator tool and pounce over Shimmer Sheetz. Let this dry.

5.  Use a sanding block to sand over the embossed areas to reveal the silver core.

6.  Sponge Teal Blue and Jet Black StazOn in several areas or as desired.

7. Use Jewelry Dies 1 & 2 to cut desired shapes for your necklace and earrings (Note: A Metal Adaptor Plate is required for cutting the shapes). Place the following inside your machine’s cutting plate sandwich – Metal plate, then altered Shimmer Sheetz, then the die with the cutting side facing down. TIP: If you want the pattern to match on the earrings, instead of allowing it to be random as shown, carefully position the dies so they cut pairs of identical pieces.

8. Use a 1/8″ hole punch to punch holes into all of the die cut pieces before attaching jump rings. Use jewelry pliers to open and close the rings. Refer to the photo for ideas about placement.

Options:
Use a 1/16″ punch for smaller holes.
Instead of silver tone, choose copper, brass, or gold color necklace chain, jump rings, and earring wires.

9. Complete the earrings. Depending on the style of earring findings you choose, you may need a jump ring. The style shown requires only Shimmer Sheetz shapes with a hole punched at the top so the shapes dangle from the wire. Be sure to squeeze the wire just above the shapes so they can’t slip off.

I hope enjoyed my tutorial and feel inspired to try it out yourself.

Happy Crafting,

Raquel

SUPPLIES:

Elizabeth Craft Designs Supplies – 

954 Jewelry 1 – Sea Glass

955 Jewelry 2 – Droplets

SS 0218 Fire Opal Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz

KB101 Butterflies Embossing Folder

502 Transparent Double Sided Tape Sheet

803 Metal Adaptor Plate

Other supplies – 

1/8″ or 1/16″ hole punch

17″ open link (chain) necklace with clasp (or other preferred length)

Jump rings in metal to match necklace (one per “dangle” on necklace)

Earring wires in metal to match necklace and jump rings

2 pairs of pliers

Slate, Currant & Meadow Alcohol Ink

Teal Blue & Jet Black StazOn

Rubbing alcohol

Shimmer Sheetz Faux Hinge Bangles

By Judi Kauffman

Judi Kauffman’s Shimmer Sheetz Bangles were such a hit on the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop that she decided to make a couple more. They’re smashing!

Thank you for inviting me back. I did decide to make another pair of bangles. I used the same embossing folders, Shimmer Sheetz, paint and inks as the ones I made for Handmade Holidays. There is a link to the instructions at the end of this post.

There is only one difference – The faux hinges.

Here’s how to make them:

Put Elizabeth Craft Designs’ NEW Transparent Double Sided Adhesive Sheet on the back of a 2” x 5” piece of alcohol ink-altered Shimmer Sheetz.

Die cut pairs of hinge shapes to decorate the bangles at each “seam” on the bracelet where two strips of Shimmer Sheetz join. The die, which has the look of hardware but could also be used as a label, is part of the Tags & More 2 – Deco set (952).

There are four pairs of hinges on each side of the wider larger diameter bracelet, two pairs on each side of the narrower, smaller diameter bracelet. (If you make a bracelet with only ONE strip of Shimmer Sheetz instead of two strips as shown, you’ll need half as many hinges.)

IMPORTANT TIPS:

The new tape has a strong hold and thin release sheet. It’s a must-have for die cutting Shimmer Sheetz with the tape already on it.

You will need a metal adapter plate. Place the following inside your machine’s usual cutting sandwich – metal adaptor plate, Shimmer Sheetz face up, die template face DOWN so the cutting side is toward the metal plate.

This is a super simple project. I hope you’ll give it a try!

Be sure to make some bangles for yourself as well as for gifts. I always wear two or three at a time and they always garner oodles of compliments. They’re definitely show stoppers.

The link below will take you to the tutorial where there are complete instructions:

Handmade Holidays 2014

Shimmer Sheetz Bangles

https://www.blog.elizabethcraftdesigns.com/2014/11/handmade-holidays-day-2/
SUPPLIES

Elizabeth Craft Designs –

SS0218 Fire Opal Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz or color of choice

KB103 Trendy Tiles 2 Embossing Folder or folder of choice

502 Transparent Double Sided Adhesive Sheets

952 Tags & More 2 – Deco

803 Metal Adaptor Plate

Other –

Unpainted flat-sided wooden bangles (DIY Bangles)

Alcohol inks in assorted colors

Acrylic paint, iridescent acrylic glaze, clear acrylic sealer

Paint brush

Sanding block