Ann Butler Designs and Cool2Cast Designer Blog Hop: Geometric Diamonds Faux Gems Pendants
Nothing gets my crafty brain cells going like combining craft supplies and seeing what happens! As part of the Ann Butler Designs Design Team, we had the opportunity this month to add some extra magic to our projects by adding Tiffany Windsor's Cool2Cast casting material. It's a gorgeous finely ground plaster-like material that mixes up with water and casts beautifully into any kind of flexible mold. Geometric diamonds and faux gems have been really popular on Etsy for about the last six years and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to craft my own version. I used a gem candy mold which I had picked up at the cake supply store many moons ago - but you can find similar ones in the cake decorating aisle at the craft store. Adding the color was super easy: I just brushed on Ann Butler's Clearsnap inks - straight off the inkpads and added then a little stamping too. I'm so happy with how they turned out!
But it gets even better! Leave a comment at the end and you'll be entered to win a lovely prize package of Cool2Cast goodies! And you can up your chances by continuing on the blog hop and leaving a comment on each blog!
Here's how:
Geometric Diamonds Faux Gems Pendants
Materials:
- Tiffany Windsor Cool2Cast casting material
- Ann Butler Crafters Ink by Clearsnap: Berry, Tangelo, Limelight, Aquamarine
- Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s Stamps by Kellycraft - Sampler Set A
- Necklace Cords with Clasps - Leather / Silver Bead
Tools:
- Aleene's® Max Tacky Adhesive™
- Plastic Mold - Gems
- Paper Tape
- Zip-loc Plastic Sandwich Bag
- Measuring Cup
- Paint Brush / Plastic Plate
- Sandpaper - Wet/Dry 220 Grit
- Cookie Sheet
- Round Jewelry File
- Heat Embossing Tool
- Clear Acrylic Stamp Block
- Black Permanent Pen
- Acrylic Sealer
Instructions:
1. Find the center of the necklace cord and use pieces of tape to suspend it across the gem mold. Be careful that the necklace cord does not touch the bottom of the gem mold. Repeat for the other necklace cord.
2. Measure 1/2 cup Cool2Cast into the plastic sandwich bag and add 1/4 cup water. Seal the bag carefully and mix the bag contents for one minute. The consistency should be like pancake batter so add water if necessary. Cut one corner of the sandwich bag and pipe the Cool2Cast into the mold cavities. (You have about 10 minutes working time before the plaster hardens in the bag.)
3. Each diamond pendant is made of two matching gem parts - a front piece which has the cord embedded and a plain back piece. Fill the mold cavities to make two plain back gem pieces for the two pendants. You can cast extra gems if you have any Cool2Cast left in the bag. When all gem cavities are filled, gently tap the sides of the mold to help the Cool2Cast settle and to release any trapped air bubbles. Let the Cool2Cast cure undisturbed for at least one hour.
4. Flip the mold onto a flat surface and gently press the plastic so that the Cool2Cast gems pop out. The pieces should still be moist enough that you can sand them easily without too much dust. If you happen to have let them dry a while before getting around to sanding, here's an easy way to control the dust: Wet the piece of wet/dry sandpaper and place it on the cookie sheet. Use just enough water to keep the sandpaper wet. Flatten the backs and smooth the edges of the Cool2Cast pieces by gently sanding on the wet sandpaper. (You'll have to hold the sandpaper in your hand for the pieces with the embedded necklace cords.)
Here's how to clean up and avoid clogging up the pipes: Rinse the cookie sheet and sandpaper in a bucket of water. Let the Cool2Cast dust settle to the bottom and pour off the clear water. Use a wet paper towel to wipe up the damp sendiment from the bucket and toss it in the trash. Easy peasy!
5. Use the round file to carve grooves into a plain gem piece. Continue carving the grooves until you are able to fit the two parts of the diamond pendant together well.
6. Glue the two parts of the pendant together. Repeat to assemble the second diamond pendant. Let dry 24 hours.
7. Use a brush to apply Limelight green ink onto a diamond pendant. You can build up the color by adding extra coats of ink and heat setting the ink with the heat embossing tool in between coats. Brush Aquamarine ink on the lower half of the diamond and then add Aquamarine dots with the Dots stamp. Let dry.
8. Paint and stamp the second diamond pendant with the Tangelo and Berry inks. Let dry.
9. Outline the facets on the diamonds with black permanent marker. Seal with a light coat of acrylic sealer. Let dry one hour and then add a second coat of sealer. Let dry overnight.
Fun huh! I had such a great time playing with Cool2Cast! It combines so well with the bright Ann Butler ClearSnap inks and fun EZ-De's stamps. I've got a huge collection of candy molds which I used to use for clay and resin. I can't wait to try them out with some Cool2Cast - it will be like having a whole new set of craft toys to play with!
And now you can win your own prize package of Cool2Cast goodies! You get one entry for each participating blog that you leave a comment on so hop around and see more fun ways to combine Ann Butler Designs stamps and inks with Cool2Cast! Contest ends Friday August 8th 11:59 pm CST. I hope you win!!!
Designer Blog Hop:
Carmen Flores Tanis You're here
