This has helped me a lot. I was just using super glue and didn't think of using a varnish for the picture before adding the dome. The paper gave some odd effects. Thanks for making this video!
The designer in this video is Mary Lynn Maloney, and I can't speak for her, but I always like to use a product such as diamond glaze to adhere the image to the pendant.
The best type of varnish to use with glass domes in jewelry is Diamond Glaze. This product will not only provide protection for your images but will create a solid bond with the glass. A hardware store varnish could hurt your image or not stick to the dome. Always feel free to experiment, it might work, but I can not be certain. I have had really good success with Diamond Glaze.
Good questions! If you have thicker paper, then Diamond Glaze will most likely work for both steps, although it does tend to saturate the paper so be careful. If you are using a different product to adhere the paper to the setting, I prefer a good white glue such as Crafter's Pick. I am not familiar with what products would be available in your area and how they act, so it is a little hard to recommend one. I would not use a print out on regular printer paper.
As a general rule, I avoid photopaper because funky things tend to happen with the inks due to the paper not really absorbing them very well. Also, the glossy coating can be an issue with the Diamond Glaze adhering properly. I would try a matte white card stock paper, I think you will have a lot better luck.
I think matte paper will help, if it is still considered "photo paper", then there might still be some issues - you will just need to experiment in small batchs. I tend to avoid all photo papers as a general rule just because I have had various problems with them in terms of bleeding, uneven absorption rates, not adhering to certain glues and sealants, etc. My favorite papers are 80# - 110# matte white paper (they are usually classified as card stock at this weight). Hope this helps!
Hi! I am going to see if I can reproduce your results here and figure out what is happening. I am not sure why it would be clear at first and then start showing the shiny bubbles a couple days later. What temperature is it where you are making these/storing them?
In the video they are using an acrylic varnish, much like you can find at an art store. Personally, I would just use a white glue, such as Nunn Glue, to adhere the image to the bezel and then I don't feel that you need a varnish on the image before the diamond glaze. You can just let the white glue dry fully between your image and the bezel and then just use diamond glaze to adhere the glass dome to the image.
@NSPeterson87 Hi! You are right, that is very confusing with the bottle unlabeled, my apologies for that. The product used in the video is Nunn Designs Sealant. It's available on the website just enter the product's name in our search box. What's particularly nice about this product is that you can use it with images that have been printed from an inkjet printer in addition to using it on collage and transfer sheet images. Have fun making your jewelry!
Hi Jackie, hmmmm... I too go to Staples for my printing and I use matte card stock with just the occasional shiny spot but not on a regular basis. I am trying to figure out what it might be. I guess I would try sealing them. Since you already have Mod Podge, try that before investing in anything else. Are you also pressing your images from the backside to get any air bubbles out (after you have applied the dome)?
@IrmiZen Your drying time will vary based on how much you use and the humidity/temperature of the air. To be on the safe side, I would give it 30 minutes to dry before you can start to work with it again and several hours to dry before I would want to actually wear it or pack it away for storage. It's been really warm here lately so mine have been drying in far less then 30 minutes, you might find this is the case for you too.
@Tsuki04wolf From my personal experience, I think E6000 is going to be too heavy of a glue for adhering the glass cabochon to the paper. It will probably be "thick" looking, a little foggy, and might even seep into your paper causing discoloration. You can always try it and experiment and see what happens.
I am going to do a Memorial walk for Parents who have Children in Heaven. I am a white Dove Release business. I was wondering if I take a very small fluffy feather and put it under a cabochon will glue mess up the feather? Thank You
Hi! I personally believe that those spots are caused by a little bit of air trapped between the paper and the glass (I have done research on this and different people have different theories). I have been able to reduce the instances of those spots by adhering the paper to the glass and then really pressing the paper firmly in place for several minutes as it dries - taking my fingers and pressing from the center out to try and push out any trapped air.
Is Kodak printing your photos on photopaper? It could be the gloss coat of the paper that is not adhering well. I personally use a heavier weight matte white card stock paper and then take my images and paper to an office supplier store to have them printed on a high quality color laser printer. I will occasionally get a few "shiny" spots but most of the time it is totally fine.
In most cases you can use fabric instead of paper. Two things to keep in mind: fabric does fray so be cautious of this and cut your fabric accordingly and then remember that glues/sealants/resins will all seep into your fabric and cause it to darken (sometimes quite a bit).
If you are a reseller, then I would suggest contacting the Diamond Glaze manufacturer directly or whomever you purchase your supplies from wholesale. I know from my experience, streaking can be caused due to the type of paper being used, sealants, other glues used, temperature, dry times, coating on the glass tile, etc...
Hi , thank u for your video, u did not use any glue when u pic your picture on pendant u used only acrylic varnish, is acrylic varnish can hold it as a glue ? Thank u.
I am glad to read I am not the only one who has shinning spots under my dome. Have tried several times with Modge Pod and Diamond glaze. Have not tried to E-6000 but feel it would be to thick. Any ideas?
Going to a Kinkos or a Staples for your prints is totally fine and I do it all the time actually, but you will want to supply them with a heavier weight paper to print on. Regular printer paper is just too flimsy and tends to wrinkle and bubble when saturated with glue or glaze. Choose a paper that is at least 60# weight or more and is matte, not shiny.
Hi, you can use fabric, but be aware that glue could soak through and make it look darker. You don't need cardboard if you are putting it in a metal bezel.
Thanks for this vid. A good idea to always use high quality printed paper , I learned about the magnification of glass domes the hard way - when magnification of lines indicating the poor paper quality ruined the view of my images & I had to start again :-(
I used E6000 to adhere my photopaper (inkjet printed) to my glass cabochon and have had no problem at all with ink run. I have however had a lot of problems with air bubbles no matter what I do. I do clean my glass domes with rubbing alcohol for remove oils from the surface and am careful not to touch it until I'm ready to apply it but still have trouble with the air bubbles...
Unfortunately some slight air bubbles are sometimes unavoidable. However, if you are getting a lot, perhaps it is the E6000. E6000 is a thicker glue and can create an uneven surface. Have you tried Diamond Glaze to adhere your photopaper to your glass dome? This is what I usually use.
I dont use diamond glaze except for my wooden scrabble tile style magnets. I want as waterproof a product as I can get so E 6000 was my choice. I have however seemed to have worked out a solution...at least I think I have. I am now using paper glaze over the image and letting it dry. The inks seem to have been reacting with the glue. So far four of them have come out fine with little or no bubbling.
Diamond Glaze is not waterproof. That said, I have found it very durable in it's cured state and have not had issues with it disolving. I do not try to get it wet though as in taking a shower, washing hands, or swimming with it on, but as far as normal wear and tear goes, I find it holds up well. If you want a waterproof solution and a similar look to glass domes, I would suggest resin.
I am having a problem with diamond glaze. After I use it to glue down my cabochon over my picture in the pendant it makes shiny bubbles after sitting for a couple of days. It looks great and clear for about a day, and then the shiny bubbles appear. I've used matte card stock, glossy card stock, and have even applied a varnish (mod podge) to my last trial and the shiny areas still appeared on my pendant. I make sure pressure is applied by using clips to hold on the glass. Any suggestions?
Hi, i am having the same problems as the lady below, mine look fine at first then shiny parts start to appear (on either the paper or the glass, i don't know) The parts look silver-ish in color. I followed your video step by step but still got the same unwanted silver discolorations,i really need any help you can offer with this because i just can't understand what it causing it but its ruining my creations, thanks :)
hi! could diamond glaze be used to attach the paper to the bezel setting as well as to attach the glass dome to the paper/bezel after drying? or do you not recommend using for both? if i have to get a separate adhesive/tarnish for the first step, what product would you suggest using that is available locally, like at a michaels? also, i have images i got printed out at kinkos on their regular old color printer. is that a no-no? thanks for your help and for your very informative videos!
You used a glaze to coat the bottom of your pendant as well as your image. I have a distress glaze that's a water resistant sealer. Are these the same things?
hi I have a question for you...I have been unable to find the answer on my own. can you used fabric circles instead of paper to do any of your tutorials? ty
I am selling glass domes and diamond glaze and lot of my customers say they are not happy with the result, glaze is leaving traces between glass and picture. Few of them brought the result to me, it looks like shiny ripples on the water surface. I told them that whole USA is doing that with glaze and one of them told me - maybe they don't mind those traces :) Any suggestions, similar experience?
Hi! Is the Diamon glaze waterproof? I've had a problem with my current glaze (glossy accents) where I made a few rings and after washing my hands with them the domes slid right off. Thanks!
I have not tried it with leather but my gut is that it won't work. I think the diamond glaze would pull off of the leather once it has dried. That said, definitely feel free to experiment and see if it works!
They're solid flat backed pieces that will lay against the image. You can see more details in their product listings here: beadaholique.com/products/clear-czech-glass-cabochon-round-beads-crystal-magnify-12mm-4 beadaholique.com/products/clear-czech-glass-cabochon-round-beads-crystal-magnify-20mm-2
Hi, I would recommend a heavier weight matte white paper, one that is at least a 65 lb. weight. I use Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Matte paper with an Epson wide format home printer since my husband and I do a lot of art prints. You can print on either laser or inkjet. I find that I get richer colors with an inkjet but you can run into more instances of the ink bleeding vs. with a laser.
Diamond Glaze is not available for purchase in my area, i can order it online but it's not cheap! Can you recommend an alternative to use instead of the Diamond Glaze?
wyatt71511 Hmmm.. Diamond Glaze is really the best product for this. Where do you live? We ship all over the world with very few exceptions. Shipping FAQ's www.beadaholique.com/t-shipping-faq.aspx?RU-vid&
wyatt71511 We always have everyday promotions on beading supplies. We currently have a Presidents Day Sale: Save big during our first sitewide sale of the year with 20% off your entire order all weekend long! Orders of $25 or more ship for free within the U.S. www.beadaholique.com/t-2-promotions.aspx?RU-vid&
Recently, I bought 24 bezels/trays ( bezels and trays are the same thing) with matching glass cabochons and I used Judikins Diamond Glaze to glue the Clip Art into the trays and then to glue the cabochons into the trays. More than half of them turned blue! Is there any type of solvent I could use to dissolve the glaze or at least partly break the seal between the trays and the cabochons? I actually have some 'Paper Sealer' which is available from 'iceresin.com'. Ice Resin is now owned by Ranger Ink, but it's easier to find the 'Paper Sealer' by googling ''iceresin.com'. The Paper Sealer' was invented by Susan Lenart Kazmer, a brilliant multimedia, and resin artist, who also invented Ice Resin - an incredible, crystal clear, self - doming, feels just like glass, and cures rock - hard type of resin. The Paper Sealer' was invented to seal any clip art you use that you plan to coat with resin.
+Brittany Headbang The terms varnish and sealant are often used interchangeably by a lot of jewelry designers. Personally I usually say "varnish" when I am referring to a shiny top coat that I am applying over a surface and "sealant" when I am treating and prepping a surface against wear and tear, resin absorption, etc. Nunn Design offers a wonderful sealant that can also be used as a varnish. www.beadaholique.com/p-24352-nunn-design-sealant-protectant-2-oz-for-patera-findings-1.aspx
+Beadaholique So use Crystal Glaze as glue, and Nunn Design as sealant? Will that work? i'm trying so hard to make some cabochons! But air bubbles are my kryptonite.
+Brittany Headbang Can you describe your process and what you are trying to achieve? Also, where are the air bubbles and at what step in the process are they appearing? I will try my best to help.
I'm not sure what varnish Mary Lynn was using when she did this video with Becky Nunn but these days Nunn Design has wonderful sealant product that we often recommend for protecting surfaces and finishing them with a nice varnished look. www.beadaholique.com/nunn-design-sealant-protectant-2-oz-for-patera-findings-1.html
Shay Rodriguez Printer paper is quite thin and will absorb the glue too much. You do not need to use photo paper but I would recommend using a thicker card stock type paper - 65 lbs weight or higher. I personally like a matte finish card stock.
here do you get the transfer sheets that has the pictures on it. Are they called tranfer sheets. Are they something that you can run through a printer to copy pictures ofgf my printer
Willie McCowan We sell the transfer sheets seen in the video here: www.beadaholique.com/p-21218-nunn-design-transfer-sheet-paris-postmarks-for-scrapbook-fits-patera.aspx?RU-vid& All of the transfer sheets we offer come pre-printed but we do have a wide variety of themes and subjects.
Marilyn Barry The size will depend on the inner diameter of your bezel frame. Each product listing should list the inner diameter and that will tell you the cabochon size that will work. If you find a product listing of ours that does not list the inner diameter, please let me know and we will correct that. Cabochons www.beadaholique.com/c-61132-cabochons.aspx?RU-vid&
I have tried several variations including the Nunn Design products recommended and the Diamond Glaze. I have used heavier matte paper and I still get shiny spots under the dome and I also have something that is reacting with the metals causing them to turn green. I have tried sealing the pendant trays with the Nunn Sealer and also Mod Podge beforehand and still have issues with them, causing me to waste a lot of trays, domes and products. HELP!!
+Junktion Alley Oh no! I have never heard of products turning green before, I wonder what is happening. I am sorry but I am not sure what is causing that reaction. As for the shiny spots, I too have experienced these. I have not discovered a complete fix for these spots, sometimes they do just appear, however, I have been able to greatly minimize them by applying the dome to the paper (with diamond glaze) pressing the paper from the underside to get rid of air bubbles (rubbing from the center outward) and then placing that piece (paper with dome attached - let dry first) into a setting. I hope this helps to some degree.
+Beadaholique I make a similar product that uses cardstock with laser printing on it. I'm having a terrible time with the shiny spots too,but I'm wondering if the E6000 is just to thick to let the air bubbles out. I'd like to try the technique that you used. Is the varnish the Nunn Design varnish?
Hi Analoga, Unfortunately I haven't found a solution and all of the "experts" don't seem to have one either. They just continue to recommend stuff that doesn't work. :(
@Darkling8090 I've added the urls for the products in this video in the video description. You can also find the items by entering the sku numbers from the video description and enter them in the search box on our website.
