Silhouette Jewelry How-to…(Mom, You’re Not Allowed to Read This)
Mom, I’m serious. If you’re reading this, jump on over to Amy’s blog or something. Or at least start practicing your surprised look when you open up your gift on Mother’s Day.
I’m so excited about this project I just did that I decided to post about it right away for those of you who may still be stumped as to what to get your mom for her big day. After browsing the aisles of Hobby Lobby and finding out that their jewelry-making supplies are 50% off this week, I came up with this Silhouette Charm Necklace using pictures of my kids:
Do you love it? I’m totally ga-ga over my new necklace and I’m pretty sure my mom’s going to love her gift as well.
The great news about this project is that it’s relatively quick and also pretty easy. Trust me, you can do this!
So, here’s what to do:
Head to Hobby Lobby or any place that sells these bezel pendants and a necklace chains. (I have put together an online supply list for you at the end of this post.)
You’ll also need a small amount of scrapbook or other pretty paper and some Gloss Mod Podge.
Next, cut your pretty papers to fit your pendants and paint on a thin layer of the Mod Podge on the back of the paper to secure it inside the pendant.
Then, take pictures of your kids. The best idea is to take their side profile shot in front of a white wall or curtain. You want to be able to get a nice contrast. Also, I would recommend they wear a dark-colored shirt. Keep the lighting low & do not use a flash. Take several shots so you’ll have plenty to choose from later. Here’s the one I used of Lola:
Once you choose the picture you want to use, print the picture out on plain paper in black and white at the percentage you need to fit your pendant. It will take some trial and error to figure out the correct percentage. For me, the magic number was 2%. Yes, it will be tiny.
Then take some sharp scissors and very carefully cut around the silhouette. This is a little tricky, but it just takes a little patience and you’ll find out it’s no big deal.
Once it’s cut out, you’ll see that even though it’s a photo, the details get lost because it’s so tiny and it just becomes a little silhouette!
Then, use a little more Mod Podge to apply the silhouette to the paper. Once it’s in place, use your paint brush to paint a thin layer of the Gloss Mod Podge over the entire background and silhouette…
Then, just let them dry (only takes about 15 minutes!) and add them onto your necklace. If you have a special doming medium you like to use for other jewelry, I’m sure that would work as well. But, for quick and easy–the Mod Podge works great.
Can you tell I really like this?
My mom’s getting this cute bracelet with the silhouettes of all her grandkids…
I’m thinking she’ll like it.
So, who’s going to give this a try?
Want to buy your supplies online? Here’s a little supply list I put together for you…
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35 Comments
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May 3, 2011 @ 10:57 pm
I LOVE THESE!!! Your necklace turned out great!! I have to have one! Send me my kids silhouettes that you did. Or just go ahead and print and cut them out and mail them to me. =) ha! I love it!!
May 3, 2011 @ 11:44 pm
WOW. Creative and talented. I suck at DIY. I am more DIFM. (my hub said that) lol. I better stick to home interior. GREAT JOB! xoxo shelli from a' la mode
May 3, 2011 @ 11:57 pm
I am so making these! Thanks for the idea. I was having a hard time coming up with something.
May 4, 2011 @ 12:01 am
Awesome job!!! Loving it!
May 4, 2011 @ 12:50 am
Goodnight nurse! This is the best, absolute best! What a clever idea… thank you for being so generous and sharing this!
May 4, 2011 @ 1:03 am
Awesome idea! I think I'll be heading to Hobby Lobby!
Blessings,
Lorilee
May 4, 2011 @ 3:18 am
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [04 May 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
May 4, 2011 @ 3:29 am
Did the bracelet come from Hobby Lobby also? Thx!
May 4, 2011 @ 4:58 am
Oh wow! Great idea!
(www.mrsamberapple.com)
May 4, 2011 @ 12:57 pm
@lottfam
Yes, the bracelet is also from HL
May 5, 2011 @ 1:52 am
How talented you are !
Love these little necklaces and bracelets, I'm off to have a little look-see what other ideas you have for making Mother's Day surprises.
Thank you for visiting, I hope to be back soon.
~Jo
May 5, 2011 @ 1:55 am
this is perfect! I have been really wanting to do something with silhouettes lately. I'm sure your mom will love this.
I'm a new follower!
kathryn
http://www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
May 5, 2011 @ 2:56 pm
LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing. I am totally going to try and do this, probably for Christmas.
Just Another Day in Paradise
May 5, 2011 @ 6:35 pm
So neat! I absolutely LOVE this idea! (Would it be terrible of me to just make one for MYSELF for Mother's Day??LOL)
May 5, 2011 @ 7:16 pm
I absolutely LOVE this idea! SO creative! You did a really great job.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, by the way!
May 6, 2011 @ 12:37 am
I'm visiting from Somewhat Simple.
I adore this project! Such an awesome idea, thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!
May 6, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
What a great idea!! Love this!
May 6, 2011 @ 11:40 pm
I love this!!! I think I might try it out for Grandparents Day! The bracelet is my favorite!!
Thanks for the awesome idea!
May 7, 2011 @ 3:02 am
This is clever! I had already planned on doing a silhouette project for my mom, but I like yours better! Thank you!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
May 7, 2011 @ 2:32 pm
That is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing! It is so mod-Victorian!
May 8, 2011 @ 1:55 am
I made some for my mom and mother-in-law today! Thanks for the GREAT idea! Oh, and I will be crediting you in my upcoming blog post! 🙂
~ Chelsea @ Nesting Time
May 9, 2011 @ 4:05 pm
Yeah— love it! I can't wait to make me one. I have filed this at thecraftersfilebox.com
Thanks for always sharing your inspiring ideas!
May 10, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
Oh my goodness, I looooove this! Totally marking this to make later.
So- did you mom just swoon over her lovely gift? I'm betting she did 😉
May 12, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
I just saw this post and absolutely love this idea. I plan on making one for my mom & myself! Thanks for all the great ideas!
May 17, 2011 @ 12:59 pm
Great Tutorial!! Such a creative idea!! I attempted this project and it turned out beautifully!! Thanks for the inspiration! You can check it out at balancingthedream.blogspot.com
May 26, 2011 @ 11:54 am
CUTE…I love it!!!!!
June 26, 2011 @ 4:19 am
i love this! i may have to try it now that i have silhouette fever — we just made a watercolor silhouette for my husband for father's day. see our tutorial here: http://paintcutpaste.com/watercolor-silhouette/
June 30, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
LOVE THIS! Im totally going to have to try it 🙂 THANKS!
July 21, 2011 @ 2:07 am
i just made two, one for each of my kiddos and can't wait for the glossy accents i put on top to finish drying so i can finish my necklace! thanks sooo much for the great idea 🙂
November 14, 2011 @ 11:31 am
So lovely and such a special idea.
I have included it in a post of women and girls gifts for Chirstmas.
You can see it here…
http://allysonadeney.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/17-handmade-gifts-for-women-and-older-girls-with-tutorials/
…if you like.
Thanks for taking the time to put this tutorial together, so we can all try it!.
Ally of harrysdesk.
November 27, 2011 @ 11:24 pm
I love this. 🙂 How are the connections done from the pendants to the bracelet?
December 4, 2013 @ 3:28 pm
Now that it has been a while since you made these silhouettes, can you tell me if the black has turned blue? I made some using a similar technique a couple of years ago and they are no longer black. Just curious.
December 4, 2013 @ 6:05 pm
Yes, mine are still black. You could try blackening them back up with a sharpie maybe??
July 26, 2014 @ 5:36 pm
Hello! Would it be all right if I shared the link to this tutorial on my blog? Thanks!
ZzzonkOwl.blogspot.com
July 26, 2014 @ 8:45 pm
Sure thing! Glad you like it!