Scrabble Tile Pendant Tutorial
I’m excited to share this tutorial for Scrabble Tile Pendants from Mark and Stefani at HomeStudio. They’ve so graciously provided this how-to for making these lovely pendants to all of us crafters. These pendants are great for necklaces, charms, and gifts to give. To purchase these pendants with HomeStudio’s one of a kind designs, please visit their Etsy shop.
Scrabble Tile Pendant Tutorial
Supplies needed: · Paper · Scrabble Tiles · Scissors · Craft Glue · Metal File · Mod Podge · Small Paint Brushes · Utility Knife · Diamond Glaze · Super Glue · Small Aanraku Jewelry Bails in Silver
Step 1:
Choose your paper wisely! I use a template card, a little template on an index card with a hole the size of a scrabble tile. That way when I shop for paper, I can see if the pattern will fit the tile. You can use almost
any paper you find; scrapbook paper, card stock, Japanese Washi paper, origami paper, gift wrap, even lightweight recycled greeting cards. Everything will become a possibility, so experiment. Using a light box (or holding your paper to the window), use your template card and trace the pattern for your tile. Trim the paper about a 3/4” to 1/2” around your outline. Allow enough excess paper so you can hold the paper while spreading the glue.
Step 2:
Using a paint brush and your light box, “paint” a thin layer of glue (I use Tacky Glue) onto the back of your paper. Place your tile in the box, being sure to notice which way is up so your letter isn’t upside down when you’re finished. I like using a thin glue.
Step 3:
After about 10-20 minutes your glue should be dry. Using a utility knife, carefully trim around the outside of the tile being careful not to cut the tile in the process. The wood is pretty soft.
Step 4:
Gently file the edges of the paper to be smooth and flush with the side of the tile. Since the wood is soft, be careful not to file too hard. You may want to experiment with different types of metal files in order to find the one you like best. The one I use is a medium grit file.
Step 5:
Now you need to seal the paper. Use a paint brush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge. I like to seal the top and all sides. Let that dry for 10-20 minutes. I like to lay my tiles on wax paper so the glue doesn’t stick to my work surface. A cookie sheet lined with wax paper works perfectly!
Step 6:
Once the Mod Podge is dry, it is time to apply the Diamond Glaze. Do NOT shake the glaze. First, I like to make a little dot on my wax paper. The first dot usually has a bubble & I’d rather have it on the wax paper than on my tile. Holding the bottle at an angle, apply the glaze around the edges and then fill in the middle. Be sure to get close to the edges. The glaze shouldn’t roll off the edge, but in case it does, just file it off when the whole thing is dry. If you get a bubble, which will happen, just use your fingernail to pull it off the tile. You can use a needle, but I find that is harder to do. Diamond Glaze is water soluble, so it just washes off with soap and water. Now let your tile dry for a minimum of 4 hours. Dry your tile in a cool place where it won’t get bumped by anyone.
UPDATED:
I let mine to fully cure 3 days before packaging it. The glaze manufacturers may suggest less time but to be safe, plan on 3 days.
Step 7:
Now attach the silver bail. Hold the bail with your fingers, put a drop or two of glue and hold the tile in place. I like to use Super Glue because then it’s stuck “forever”! The only down side, is that if the bail isn’t exactly centered, it’s tricky to remove. In seconds, it’s attached and ready to go!
Step 8:
Now to clean up any rough edges. Get your metal file again and smooth down any rough edges and excess glue. Now you’re finished! Enjoy your pendant.
© 2008, HomeStudio. All rights reserved. Use of designs, images, or content without permission is prohibited. Please contact homestudio111{at}gmail.com for permission of use. Please feel free to use this tutorial for personal use and have fun crafting!
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I was wondering what size bails are used. I went onto Ebay and under the Aanraku bails they have 3 different sizes small, medium or large. Does it matter what size I purchase for the scrabble tile?
As for bails, we use the small size. Aanraku has recently introduced the medium but we have not tried them. The large look out of scale with the scrabble tile but that’s just our opinion. Of course using the small size will limit what size chain/ribbon will go through the hole. You might want to try all three and see what works best for you.
Hi, I found that the Mod Podge leaves streaks on the image when I apply it as a sealer. Do these streaks disappear after applying the Diamond Glaze?
Hi everyone! I have made about 75 of these and am using them to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast cancer that i will be walking in June 6 -7. I have done really well with that. Since I have pretty much exhausted my sales on them, I am wanting to make pins out of them. Does anyone know where I can get pins (the ones with a backing like earring backs)?
Hi there, appreciate the tutorial as well. I have another problem however – bought a bunch of these Scrabble pendants and some necklaces separate, but found the ‘clasp’ can’t put through the silver bail. Is this a common problem? I have always assumed the bail should be big enough for us to swap different necklaces to wear with?.
I’m trying to put photo paper on bamboo tiles. I glue the photo paper to the tile, then coat with mod podge and cover with crystal lacquer (similar to diamond glaze). And I get tons of bubbles! Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I’m having a few problems with my glass scrabble tile pendants. Sometimes, even though I put 3 coats of diamond glaze on the back, the E6000 eats through and leaves a bail shaped mark on the picture
Also, I was wondering if anyone has tried marine varnish for sealing the pictures and making them more waterproof?
do you now what kind of pen you could use if you want to add an initial.
Boy, do I feel behind the times – here it is 4/22/09 and I’m just now finding this tutorial and series of Q&As! In my first attempt, I divided my tiles into 3 groups of 10 tiles each to see what would would best and had some mixed results.
First I found that Zip Dry Paper Glue (by Beacon Adhesives) worked the best to adhere my paper to the scrabble tiles.
All tiles using scrapbook paper turned out great; but had mixed results printing my own floral images onto photo paper using an ink jet printer . . . and this is the weird part, some bled and others didn’t but there didn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason as to why. This I need to investigate further – hummmmm . . . .
Mod Podge worked well as a sealer no matter what glue I used to affix the paper to the tile in the first step.
I finished all tiles with DG3 Art Gel (by BeadSmith) which dries to a clear, hard, durable finish – although I haven’t done a water test, and am a bit hesitant to do so. My word of caution here is that you should work from the tile edges into the center so you don’t use too much gel. On the first tile I went from the center outward and ended with a “hump” in the middle of the tile – ugly!
To finish my tiles, I’m using a variety of techniques to provide buyers with more options: earring posts, stick-on pin backs, magnets, glue to hair clips and do a simple wire wrapping to create my own bail (basically 1 short wire with 2 simple loops turned at 45 degree angles to allow for gluing to the tile and allowing for a chain to run through for a necklace).
Tomorrow I will try the spray Krylon some folks have suggested to prevent the apparently random bleeding . . . I’ll let you know my results.
My thanks to everyone who published, commented and contributed to all of our successes!!
I am off to the store to buy all of these items. I noticed that some of the pictures used in the examples that everyone was asking about are available on the Microsoft Word Clip Art Gallery online. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
You would have to put them into Microsoft Word and resize them. But then you could print them out in color on white cardstock and trim them as needed. I am going to try it tonight. But there are some GREAT images on there. You can search for “flowers” or “bird” or whatever you want.
THANK YOU for this fabulous tutorial. My daughter and I jumped in with both feet and blindfolds on, and have been discouraged by all the mistakes we’re making! But we’ve invested in the supplies, so we’re going to make it work, and MANY thanks to you. My question; is there anything wrong with going ahead and cutting the paper to the size of the tile, rather than using the utility knife to cut the paper after it is glued on? My experience (having taken many art classes) is that it’s very easy to slip with the utility knife and cut into the paper, or have a “messy” edge. Please let me know your thoughts on this, thank you! Also… any tutorials on making a light box? : )
Can you use the same materials on ceramic tile that you use on a scrabble tile?
I don’t have a light box so I hold the template and paper up to the computer screen and centre my pictures that way. Take care not to press too hard! Its not great with very thick paper but just about ok.
Just wondering if anyone has figured out how to make these tiles and use Diamond Glaze without an indentation in the centers of each tile after they dry. I recently made about 12 of them, all using the diamond glaze working from the outer edges of the tile in and though it looks level when wet, after drying the edges are higher than the inside of the tile which dries with the indentaiton. It’s very frustrating.
I have an idea for the bubble problem. I work in an orthodontic office and we have a little vibrating desktop gadget that we hold impressions on to vibrate all the bubbles out of the impression material. I’m wondering if its possible to vibrate the bubbles out of the epoxy somehow?
Tania, the indention is a sign that you are using too much glaze. Hey check out this cute site, she has her own line of Scrabble replacement tiles called Scrabble-Dabble Doo!!! Tiles. I bought the tutorial and it was awesome! She is also my source for inexpensive high quality beautiful chains as well!
Here’s the link: http://www.scrabbledabbledoo.etsy.com/
I have the same problem as Julie. I use DG3 for scrabble tile pendants. I leave the DG3 to dry 5-6 days and then I put them in organza bags, ready to be sent.
My problem : they get stuck on the bag and you can see some marks of the bag on the tile. the same happens if I put 2 tiles together : the DG3 acts like a glue and they get stuck.
Why ??????
Alvin, Diamond Glaze is NOT a reliable product. It has had major issues for nearly a year, Judy Kins released a lot of bad batches of glaze into the market, as you may have heard. The best glaze that I have used is from Sun and Moon, everyone seems to be using it. Give this a try, it’s all that I use now, here’s where you’ll find it http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25523491
Fun tutorial! I have heard these are kind of tricky to make. This tutorial seems very exhaustive! Thanks!
I was wondering what type of mod podge you used. I’m rounding up the supplies to do this, because I’m now in love with the idea, but I’m stuck on the mod podge. What finish should I get? Matte? Satin? Outdoor?
Thanks!
Thanks so much for this idea….I’ve made about 6 of these necklaces as gifts, and people love them!
Thanks. I always wondered how to do this. I might actually try this at home :)
Just a tip.. if you can’t find the tiles, how about trying a wooden or bamboo placemat? It already has the holes drilled in it for the hardware. I will be trying these this week since I have made tons of bracelets from one mat and still have plenty of tiles left over!
Robin… where did you find the bamboo placemat? Great idea!!
Hey thats a great tutorial. I would surely like to try making few on my own.
Samantha
http://www.Aafter.com
You have just shared an interesting skill to make scrabble tiles. I tried to read carefully your tips here. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful skill on it. Toddler Crafts Julie.
These are so cute. a friend of mine makes them and that is where I first encountered them. I have had her make me a few special orders, but now my dd wants to make them for her bff’s and I can’t afford to special order 6 tiles for each girl. lol Can you tell me where I might find the tiles online? Thanks!! I keep getting the tutorial when I google search for scrabble tiles.
Do you have a pair of pirate beanie earrings. I think I recall seeing pic. of a pair with pirate skull with readlocks and a beanie cap.
Please respond asap.
sincerely,
sarita
Jennifer,
You can find the placemats at WalMart, Target or Home Goods. They are under $4 each. I filled a mayo jar with tiles from 1 placemat. I use the round ones, but here is alink to a picture of the rectangle ones:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/wp-content/uploads/Ross/08_SUMMER/BamPlace_400_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2008/10/27/bamboo-placemat/&usg=__mRU40hUywKgrPPNMA2vjhTZFkLQ=&h=372&w=392&sz=28&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=u0RZtLns3PGG7M:&tbnh=117&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBamboo%2Btile%2B%2BPlacemat%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
Robin
I am looking for the bails you used for this project with no luck! Any suggestions?
You can find bails on etsy at http://www.scrabbledabbledoo.etsy.com/
Thank you so much for the WONDERFUL tutorial! So glad I found this and I love all the helpful comments.
Thank you so much for this tutorial – I’ve just made my first pendants and so far (they’re curing) – they look GREAT!
So glad this can help others begin. This tutorial is meant as a starting point for home crafters. Keep experimenting. There are a number of products out there to try out.
If you need bails we suggest Ray ( http://myworld.ebay.com/lytray )
I love Scrabble pendants! I sell personalized ones with initials and names! Very fun!
I am trying to find out where I can buy the scrabble tiles. Jusgt getting ready to make, ubt need tiles. Also, when you make the tile, at what point do you put the hole in the tile andwhat do you use to put the hole in the tile.
Thanks so much for your help in advance. Warddean
My question is, what is the need for a light box? I am new to this and I thought if you have a template to cut out the square, that is all you need.
Use the square template if using a scrapbook paper that has a big design. It helps you see what portion of a big design will look best on a pendant. The light box (or window/sunlight) helps you see through the paper to apply the glue and place the tile on it. When the glue dries, flip over the paper/tile to trim off the excess. When trimming, please don’t cut on your light box, use a cutting mat etc. Light boxes can be inexpensive like the Darice Light Box 6X9″
I picked up a used scrabble game at a thrift store–only $2!!
Just made some today. They look fabulous! I even did some from photos (printed at Walgreens) that look great! A plus about them–photo paper is stiff enough that you can put it over the letter side so the back is blank. I also used the same steps to cover a large metal washer to make a pendant (minus the aanraku bail).
Bubble tip: Suck the bubble back in the bottle, and when it gets just inside the tip, squeeze it back out on scrap paper–worked great.
so, how much would all this be costing?
Hi. I live in Michigan and am having a terrible time finding Judikins Diamond Glaze (tried JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels and Hobby Lobby) or the Sun and Moon recommended above.
ALSO*** Can I use magazine cut outs for the paper or will the ink bleed. I found some really cool designs in magazines. Thanks.
Etsy is a good source for supplies. Search for Diamond Glaze under the Supplies section. You can also find products on eBay and Amazon. Diamond Glaze and Aanraku Bails can be found for sale on all three sites. You may also want to try 3D Crystal Lacquer. There are several water-based glaze products out on the market now.
Yes, magazine images can be used. The paper is thin though, so you’ll need to use it carefully. Gently use the mod podge to prevent any bleeding.
I found the diamond glaze at Joann’s next to the rubber stamps. Stampers use it to give a 3-d effect to an image they stamp. It is in a pink and black labeled bottle–I forgot what they call it.
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