How to: Glass Dome Pendants - Cabochons

Ever wondered how people make those cool glass dome necklaces/rings?! I can now show you!

In these next 6 steps i'll explain how to make a glass dome pendant, and everything you need to do so. Although these can be fun to make, they can be quite tricky until you get the hang of it. So here goes:

Things you'll need before you start: 

A book (if you chose to use your favourite character name or a quote), scissors, pen/pencil, small paint brush, Mod Podge glue/sealer, E6000 glue, 25mm round glass dome tiles and 25mm pendant tray blanks.

Step 1:

If you are using a book, find your favourite word/character/quote and place one of the glass dome tiles over it. Draw around the tile so you have a perfect circle of perfect size. Now cut it out.

Step 2: 

Dip the paint brush into the Mod Podge glue (this glue is best to use as it also works as a sealer!) and wipe of any extra glue. 'Paint' the glue onto your cut out circle. Let this dry for about 5 minutes, when do this another 2 times, until you have 3 coats of the glue/sealer on one side of the circle. When it is completely dry, do the exact same to the under side.

Step 3:

Get one of you glass dome tiles, turn it so the flat side is facing you and squeeze out a dot of the E6000 glue. All you need is a decent sized dot, enough to cover the whole circle when squeezed down on it. *Don't apply too much or it won't dry properly*.

Step 4:

When you have applied the dot of E6000 to the tile, take your circle (from the book), place it so the side you want is face up, and set the tile flat onto it. You should see the glue now spreading out over the whole circle. When the glue has stopped spreading, press the tile down firmly (you may see excess glue seeping out, just wipe this off). If you see any air bubbles try and squeeze them out, but do not lift the tile back up or slide the tile as this will ruin the look with smears.

Step 5: 

It is best to let the glass dome tile dry, but you can also follow this next step even if it hasn't dried completely. This time, get your blank pendant tray, put a dot of the E6000 glue onto your finger and spread it into the blank tray. I find by putting the glue onto your finger that you can control the amount of glue on the tray, and therefore not apply too much as this can also ruin the outcome after it has dried. You'll know you've applied enough glue when the tray has a 'tacky' feel to it, and it's not too wet.

Step 6:

Now set down your glass dome tile onto the 'tacky' pendant tray and apply some pressure to make sure the bottom side has stuck. Let the pendant dry for a few hours, and low and behold, you've made a glass dome pendant, perfect for adding to necklaces!

I hope this has explained to you how to make your own glass dome pendant! If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know!
Also if you would like a 'How to:' on making adjustable cord necklaces or anything else, do let me know in the comments.
- Nymph

 

Craft Fair Stall Top Tips

Want your craft stall to stand out in a sea of crafts? 

Follow my 5 top tips to producing an eye catching craft table!

1) Height!

Height is very important! You want your crafts to be at eye level, so potential customers have no choice but to look at your wonderful makes. You can use any props, such as boxes, crates, jewellery stands and many other random things!

2) Themes!

Try and stick to a theme when creating your craft stall. If you make and sell vintage inspired items, you could use a vintage table cloth to cover the table. Old suitcases are becoming popular to display crafts also, and it fits in perfectly with a vintage look. If you stick to a main theme, your stall will be more pleasing on the eye!

3) Pricing!

Make sure your pricing is VERY clear! I know in my experience when attending craft stalls I always felt too embarrassed to ask the price, so make it that bit easier for shy people!

4) Don't be afraid to clutter!

I find that stalls with some clutter are more welcoming than a bare table! Don't worry if you find that you have too many things on display, this can sometimes be very appealing to people, especially people who like to rummage such as me! There is a difference between clutter and mess!

5) Last but not least...

Don't forget to smile and enjoy your day! Greet everyone who comes to your table, make them feel that bit more welcome. Just don't overdo it, as that can be very off putting to some people!

Enjoy your day and remember, it's not all about making money, it's about making your crafting business known and making new friends with people who also share a passion for crafting!