Use coordinating or contrasting colors and patterns – come up with your own favorite combination!
You’ll find a complete supply list below the video.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
• 1 inch washer (spray painted in the color of your choice – see notes below)
• scrapbook paper
• 1 inch round paper punch
•3/8 inch round paper punch
• Mod Podge dimensional magic (or Diamond Glaze*)
• glue-on bail: DIY or buy
• E6000 adhesive
• toothpicks
NOTES:
* I haven’t used Diamond Glaze for this particular project, though I believe it will give you the same results. Be sure to follow the instructions for Diamond Glaze if you try that instead of the Mod Podge.
You could choose to hand paint the washers using a brush and acrylic paints, but I prefer to spray paint the washers so they are evenly coated without brush marks. You could also skip the painting and use paper on both sides! There are tons of ways to do this project – have fun and make it your own!
I set up a mini spray booth using a shoe box and some cheap steel wire. I cut a short slit in the middle of each of the short sides of the box, using scissors, and used it to hold the wire. You could also use yarn or string, pulled taut. I taped the ends of the wire down to the outside of the box so it wouldn’t slip – after I slid on the washers.
I turned the box so that it was standing up on its side for the first coat. Make sure the washers are well spaced out so that if they move from side to side as you spray, they don’t touch.
I did my painting outside, in an area safe from wind. I sprayed one coat covering as much as I could see of all the washers, then let them sit to dry for a few hours. For the second coat, I turned the box to sit back down on its bottom so that the washers would be in a slightly different position.
Keep in mind: t’s important to always keep the can moving while you’re spraying so that you don’t end up with drips.
Make sure your painted washers are completely dry before you attach the paper! Drying times may vary so follow the directions on the can of spray paint that you use.
Oh, by the way – I did a coat of primer before painting on two coats of the color. This is probably not necessary but it certainly won’t hurt. Next time I’ll try it without the primer and see if it makes any difference in how the paint sticks to the metal, and I’ll keep you posted :) If you try it without primer paint first, I’d love to hear your results – leave me a note in the comments below.
Nice pendants Jessica. Love the color. I think the spray paint was good choice, more durable and bonds to metal better then acrylics. I notices you spray painted nuts too! What did you make with them?
Linda
Thanks Linda!I haven’t made anything with the hex nuts yet. They are sitting on my desk awaiting inspiration but I think I’ll try for a funky ring. I want to come up with a fun tutorial for those too…stay tuned :)
I’m not sure why you would want to paint the washers. Seems like an unnecessary step to me. I love these washer pendants. They are so easy to make and they make great gifts.
Hi Linda, thanks for visiting! These washers definitely make great gifts. As for painting the washers, it certainly is a matter of opinion but I have several reasons: (1.) Because it makes them double-sided (2.) Some people may be sensitive to this type of metal against their skin! (3.) It will protect the metal from rusting (4.) I think it looks more ‘finished’ that way and prefer to not have the metal showing on the sides or back of the washer.