The picture says it all... Just about everything is wrong with this pendant. A good reminder of what not to do.
First of all, it is pretty obvious that I used far too much Diamond Glaze behind the glass. In fact, I used too much behind the paper too. There is so much that it still looks wet, several weeks after making it!
Secondly, the blue... The whole picture turned blue!! The paper was one of my beautiful Chiyogami papers, bright with reds and pinks and golds. And now it's just blue. And this piece of paper was really really well sealed with a hundred layers of ModPodge! Any guesses what caused it? Yep, the tray. See the tray is bronze plated? Bronze and copper platings react with Diamond Glaze and the outcome is that your images will develop a blue tinge. Sometimes it is a nice blue tinge that can give your images a lovely vintage hue. This is not in any way nice:
Two things to do here: deconstruct and re-do! If this happens to you, just leave the pendant to soak completely submerged in water overnight. That will soften the Diamond Glaze if it hasn't completely hardened and you should be able to prise the glass off the tray by morning. Wash the tray and glass thoroughly and dry before using again. The tray will not discolour if it is completely submerged (as opposed to half-in-half out) and dried afterwards.
Before you use them again, one very important step - when using bronze and copper plated components, ALWAYS seal the trays well - so apply a good coat of ModPodge to all the parts of the tray that will come into contact with the Diamond Glaze and allow to dry. Then you're all set!
You have no idea how much you have saved my life! I just lost several pieces due to discoloring and now I'll try again. I even have the blue showing up in the "silver plated" trays now. I'm going to modge podge everything before I use it.
ReplyDeleteI have a question you might be able to answer. I am also having a problem with bubbles or crystals showing up about 3 days later between the printed image and the glass. (I know the technique for placing the glass on the paper). I think it is the paper or the ink since I'm printing my own images. Have you ever had this happen? Should I change glazes? Do you recommend anything in particular?
THANK YOU!
Audra
BellaLukas
Hi Audra, glad that you have found a solution to the blueness problem - and yes, I have found it with some silver plated items too, so it is probably worth sealing them all!
ReplyDeleteIn terms of your other question, I have had bubbles appear after some days, and normally this is caused by the paper not being sufficiently sealed, and therefore air within (or trapped underneath the paper) seeps out.
Where it looks like a bit of paper has become 'unstuck' from the glass, my theory on this (and it really is only a theory), is that the pull on the back of the paper is greater than the bond between the paper and the glass, so always ensure that you use a flat tray (if it is not completely flat, try tapping it gently with something like a jewellery hammer, or whatever implement will fit inside the tray). Make sure the piece dries flat, and weigh it down if need be. I would also recommend a really good, smooth, thick paper and always printing on laser. Use very little glaze and glue, really just a drop and no more. Again, it is trial and error mostly as there are a lot of variables in this craft, but these recommendations go a long way towards ensuring you have a good end result. Good luck!!
Jasmin
I am sooo glad I found this! I made several necklaces with the bronze trays. They are all blue! From the tutorial from where I bought the trays, there is no mention of this! :( Glad I didn't waste anymore!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm reading this way later, but I'm so glad I found your blog!! I've been having all of the issues you mention in part 1 and 2 and have learned a lot from your post on how to made a glass tile pendant. I can't believe I never knew that you can soak and reuse all of the trays and domes that have been ruined for one reason or another. Such a money saver! Thanks so much for your posts :)
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never. There was no mention of this in the tutorial where I purchased my supplies from either. Thankfully, now I know and I think I can rescue the items I have drying.
ReplyDeleteHi there - thanks for this info. I'm having trouble getting my trays cleaned up to re-use with the ones I've messed up. How do you scrub all the paper out from the bad setting? I have tried soaking it for quite awhile and it still seems very difficult. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, can I ask what glue you used inside the tray? If it's a watersoluble one like Diamond Glaze, you should not have any problem with cleaning up.
ReplyDeleteHi Jasmin, thanks for responding! Some trays have Diamond Glaze, some have Lilly Glaze. Separating the cabochon is easy, but then the paper left behind seems really hard to get out, even when I scrub with an old toothbrush. Tips welcome!
ReplyDeleteWe have no experience of Lilly Glaze unfortunately but generally the glues we use will dissolve in water so they wash quite well - but for stronger glues you might need to pull the glue rather than rub it.
ReplyDelete