Making It! Dictionary Necklaces

The finished product

Months ago, I pinned some lovely necklaces on Pinterest using scrapbook paper and glass tiles, then recently, I saw a pin using the same basic theory, but dictionary pages. The wordy person in my was thrilled. And, after carefully considering who, exactly, needed these, I decided they would make lovely teacher's gifts.

Before I start, I'm going to tell you that I used the tutorial on the regular scrapbook paper pin because the pin for the dictionary pages was broken. It was a wonderful tutorial and Sabrina deserves huge thanks for her simple, complete instructions.



First, the cast of characters:

• Glass Tiles - I got square and rectangular
• Judikins Diamond Glaze (I made 13 and I haven't even put a dent in my bottle)
• Paint Brush
• Silver Bails
• Gorilla Super Glue

Total cost: $34.55. Materials are all sufficient to make 20 pendants, so $1.73/pendant

Now, the instructions:

Step 1: Cut your paper. I used pages from the dictionary with "teacherly" words. Since Maren has two classroom teachers, two afterschool teachers and I have a fairly close relationship with her director, and Brynna has a total of seven teachers on a regular basis, we had a lot to come up with. After I had decided where to cut, using the glass tile as a sight guide, I held the tile firmly in place and cut around the edge with an xacto knife that I had on hand. I lost it halfway through, though and finished up with a razor blade. Worked just as well.

Step 2: Adhere your paper to the tile. I found that three small drops of Diamond Glaze on the front of the paper was sufficient. After dropping on the glaze, I used a paint brush to make sure it was evenly spread. This stuff is a dream to work with and didn't cause any curling or other weirdness with the paper. After spreading it evenly, I pressed the tile down onto the paper and held it for about 30 seconds. The instructions said to do all this on wax paper and I didn't have any, so as soon as I stopped pressing, I picked it up and flipped it over onto a clean spot to avoid sticking to my self healing mat.

Step 3: Let Dry. Seriously. It doesn't take long. I paused and read goodnight stories and it was dry as a bone by the time I got back.

Step 4: Glaze the Back. This is why you use the Diamond Glaze. Using the same amount, and the brush, put a coat on the back of the paper. Make sure to get the edges. Let this dry and do another coat. I did about three and if I had a little more time, I think I would have done five. It makes the back sealed from the elements, but also glassy feeling, so it has the illusion that the paper is trapped in glass. It's very cool and worth the extra coats. After the first coat, I looked them all over carefully and "sanded" off any edges where the paper protruded with an emery board. Then, I made sure that edge was properly sealed again.

Step 5: Let it dry again. I waited about 24 hours. I would suggest not being skimpy this time. 

Step 6: Attach the bails. In the original instructions, it said to do this using E6000, but I missed that and didn't have time to order it. I could get Gorilla glue quickly and Gorilla glue is sort of up there with duct tape for me. (Don't duct tape them. It might hold, but it'll look messy.)

That's it! You're Done! This project was so easy and fun and turned out so nicely. The only thing that I will warn you about is that sometimes the dictionary makes uneasy bedfellows. 

Library and Lice, not so much.

Know and Koala, Cute!

All 13. Ready for ribbon and wrapping.