Disclaimer: This is the first decoden project I have ever done myself ~ so I am not an expert, but I did learn a few things doing it so I thought I would share them.
For the first ever decoden project I have ever done I must say I really quite enjoyed it! It is a great way to make something boring look pretty and unusual at the same time. Plus, it is a totally personal thing. You can do whatever you want and you will be guaranteed to end up with a unique piece, which is something I really like about anything ~ not just deco.
I think next time though I will make sure I am in a room with better ventilation as I got dizzy from all the epoxy glue fumes! > O <
Maybe a higher table too, so I do not have to bend over so far? Anyways, I loved it and I can not wait to do more deco when I get the chance! However, on the tutorial we go. As it is another long post I will highlight things that I think are important in pink.
These are the supplies I got for my project:
I did not end up using everything I bought, but it was helpful to have the different cabochons to choose from when deciding on my design.
Basic supplies:
- One clear Gen 3 iPhone case
- Two parts Epoxy glue ~ Araldite for Australians.
{My epoxy had a five minute drying time which was ok, but meant that I wasted a lot of the glue. I have heard that the longer setting time is recommended; but I kind of liked being able to pick my project up without bumping and ruining the work I had already done. Try both to figure out what works for you. I think I am going to use both types next time to test which one is better for me.} - A picker ~ mine was homemade; just a skewer cut down to size with a blob of Blutack (the stuff you use to stick posters up for non~Australian readers ~ I am sorry I do not know what it is called overseas…. T ^ T } on the end.
- Pointy nosed tweezers ~ I bought these half way through the project and they certainly helped to save my sanity when it came to the smaller gems. Get some ~ you’ll use them.
- A plate/piece of cardboard for the epoxy to go on.
- Toothpicks to apply the epoxy with.
- Shallow dishes to put your deco pieces/rhinestones in.
- Something to lay underneath your project so you do not get glue everywhere. I used paper towel.
Deco parts {sorry, I do not have the size details of the cabochons or pearls}:
- One white glitter rose cabochon ~ from a local bargain shop
- Two large glitter pink rose cabochons ~ ordered from modes4u; unfortunately they do not seem to stock them any more
- Four small pink rose cabochons {there were advertised as nail art pieces, but they work perfectly with my design} ~ also ordered from modes4u; but not in stock
- Three small heart shaped flat back pearls ~ from a local bargain shop
- One large heart shaped flat back pearl ~ from a local bargain shop
- Five assorted size round flat back pearls ~ from a local bargain shop
- Approximately 500 round flat back rhinestones ~ from a local bargain shop:
~ 6 mm stones: 37 {I would round that up to 40~50 gems so you have spares if you need them}
~ 4 mm stones: Approximately 250 {Round to 300~350}
~ 3 mm stones: Approximately 200 {Round to 250~300}
Note: I did a price check on how much the Swarovski crystals would have cost me and I was looking at about $40.00 USD for the lot rounded up; not including postage.
However, my plastic crystals were $6.00 AUD in total…. So yeah. Huge price difference; but at the same time, I can see how the Swarovski crystals would be totally worth it.
One, you can clean the excess glue off them {more on that later!}. Two, they would last longer as well as being more sparkly. Three, you wouldn’t have to worry about the gems falling off their bases which has already happened to one of mine. : / And four, which I like the most ~ you would have left overs, plus, if you do a smaller project it would not cost as much.
But between you and me, I think this is why sweets deco is so popular now ~ silicon for whipped cream costs around $15.00 ~ $35.00 USD {depending on the size of the tube} if you buy the Japanese craft silicon and cabochons can be found relatively cheap.
I think it ends up heaps cheaper to do sweets deco; especially if you make your own cabochons, but I guess it depends in the end what you are willing to spend.
Step 1: Set up your deco area. Make sure you have plenty of room on your table and desk so you can find everything when you want it.
Top Tip: It is a good idea to make sure you are in a well ventilated area as epoxy glue has quite a strong smell and the fumes can make you dizzy.
Step 2: Clean the surface you are about deco with a damp cloth and then lay out your design.
I only had ideas about the cabochons because I basically wanted to pave the empty space around them with rhinestones; so this is what I laid out before I started gluing.
Step 3: Lift up your cabochons and glue in place. I also made a quick decision to add some pearls so I glued them down next.
Then start gluing your rhinestones on around them. I started up the top and did a straight row across. I left the sides for later as I put larger stones around the edge.
Top Tip: Only do a small area of glue at a time ~ no bigger than 1 1/2 cm square. This is particularly applicable when using the fast drying glue. You do not want your glue to dry out on your project before you get your stones stuck on.
Step 4: Put a small patch of glue on your project. Stick rhinestones on, making sure to choose the best sizes so there are as few gaps as physically possible. You want the stones to sit next to each other as closely as they can ~ sort of like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.
Step 5: Lather, rinse, repeat until the project is entirely paved with rhinestones! Bear in mind that this process will probably take a few hours depending on the size of the area you are decoing.
Step 6: Allow your project to dry for the recommended drying time.
Top Tip: If you are using glass, crystal or Swarovski gems {possibly resin; but I am not sure about this so do a tester first!!} you can clean off any excess glue using am acetone nail polish remover. Clean the excess off BEFORE it sets. DO NOT use nail polish remover on plastic rhinestones because it will melt the plastic and turn it cloudy; i.e. ~ your gems will stop sparkling and you probably do not want that!
Step 7: Enjoy your pretty new sparkly!! > U < ~ ♥
Top Tip: My iPhone case did not have a place to hang mobile phone charms off, so I super glued a a loop of ribbon to the inside of the case and hung my pony off that. It works great and the case still fits like, well, a charm! > __ <
Well, that’s it for my first decoden project but I hope to be back soon with more deco bling! If you have any questions at all, just leave a comment and I will do my very best to answer them.
xox,
bonita
