by Kathy Cano Murillo - May. 17, 2003 04:30 PM
The Arizona Republic
I'm a sucker for pictures. I love vintage postcards, obscure ads, romantic comics, minibooks, notecards, postage stamps, wrapping paper, postcards, stickers . . . . It has become so bad that I can't pass a stationery shop or bookstore without stopping to scope out the goods in fear of missing out on some great images.

This nifty necklace project is one way I've found to make use of my ever-growing collection. It's as easy as taking two microscope slides and making a "picture sandwich." There are oodles of alternatives for using these slides, and these instructions are a great place to start. Of course, always be careful whenever you use glass in craft projects. Microscope slides are available at local hobby stores (not craft shops), and the foil tape is sold at home improvement stores.


Microscope slide necklaces


Supplies
2 microscope slides
2 pictures, phrases, clippings, ribbon or other flat items
Scissors
industrial strength glue
Foil or copper tape
Eye pins, 1 1/2 inches long each
Assorted beads
Needle nose pliers
Jump ring
Necklace cording

Directions: Work on a flat surface free of dust. Use the slide as a template to trim your two pictures. Take one picture and flip it over. Add a small drop of glue in the center of the back side. Lay one eye pin pointing up so the eyelet extends above the picture. Repeat the process for the bottom. Take the other picture and press the two backsides together, smooth firmly with fingers to ensure all the sides are sealed. Set aside until glue is dry.

Cut two pieces of foil tape measuring 3 inches by one-quarter inch, and two measuring 1 inch by one-quarter inch. Create a "sandwich" by placing your image in between the two slides. Carefully apply the foil tape to one side of the glass and then fold it over to cover the other side. Rub your finger over the tape to remove any wrinkles.

Continue the process until the all of the edges are evenly trimmed with the foil tape. Repeat process to make a double layer for extra hold and to pad the corners.

Thread beads onto the remaining eye pins and attach them to the slide's bottom eyelet with the pliers.

Add a jump ring to the top eyelet and tie on the necklace cording.



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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: jewelry, paper, wearable