It’s been a resolution of mine to devote more time to crafting. I like being creative and getting to see the results. During one of my late night insomniac Etsy browsing sessions I discovered a fairly easy looking way to make some scrabble tile pendant necklaces. Resin Drop Stickers. Using one of my favourite contemporary young adult reads as inspiration, here is how I made some The Fault in Our Stars by John Green themed necklaces.
This is one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done. The longest part of it was creating my image. Using MS Paint (the only graphics program I’m confident in) I created the picture. It took me roughly two episodes of Firefly to get right but anyone with some skills with drawing would probably take them a tenth of the time. To get the chalkboard like font I used Eraser by David Rakowski which is free for personal use.
Because a scrabble tile is 20mm high and 18mm wide, this is the size that I wanted for my image.
Then I got my supplies out. I bought a Scrabble Tile Starter Kit from DewSupplies on Etsy. I’d never bought anything on Etsy but I do spend a lot of time browsing. Since I also bought some silver ball chains from this store – they combined postage which was great.
Resin drop stickers, scrabble tiles and bails
I also used some craft glue, super glue and a chain for my pendant to go on.
The stickers are simple to use. Peel them from the backing. Place it sticky side down on the image you want to use and then cut around your image. I tried a few different ways but this was the easiest. Trimming the image to the 20mm x 18mm size and then placing the sticker on it was a little more fiddly than placing the sticker first then cutting around.
After that I glued the image to the scrabble tile. Because my picture was fairly dark I’m not sure it mattered but I was sure to glue it to the blank side of the tile just in case the letter showed though. I used a mixture of equal parts PVA and water because I thought it would be okay and it’s what I had on hand. It worked perfectly.
Finally, I super glued the bail to the back of the tile.
Ta-dah! The finished product!
Not counting how long it took to make the graphic, nor the time for the glue to dry – it only took me a few minutes to make my necklace! I bought the supplies for ten necklaces and when I break it down it costs just over $2 per pendant necklace.
There you go. Now I have a literary inspired necklace to wear when I go see the TFiOS film when it is released later this year AND I’m one step closer to being a little more crafty.
The Fault in Our Stars on 10th January 2012 Pages: 336
Goodreads
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.John Green is the best-selling author of Looking for Alaska; An Abundance of Katherines; Paper Towns; Will Grayson, Will Grayson.The reviewers say:'A novel of life and death and the people caught in between, The Fault in Our Stars is John Green at his best. You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more.' Markus Zusak, bestselling and Printz Honor-winning author of The Book Thief'An electric portrait of young people who learn to live life with one foot in the grave. Filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy, The Fault in Our Stars takes a spin on universal themes-Will I be loved? Will I be remembered? Will I leave a mark on this world?-by dramatically raising the stakes for the characters who are asking.' Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper and Sing You Home'John Green writes incredible, honest truths about the secret, weird hearts of human beings. He makes me laugh and gasp at the beauty of a sentence or the twist of a tale. He is one of the best writers alive and I am seething with envy of his talent.' E. Lockhart, National Book Award Finalist and Printz Honor-winning author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks and The Boyfriend List
THAT IS SO COOL. I am definitely not a crafty person but I am a big fan of drooling over other people’s masterpieces 🙂 if I ever feel the calling of creativity, I know which tutorial to use.
Thanks 😀 They turned out better than I’d expected so I’m rather proud of myself.
This is so awesomely adorable, Kate! 😀
I am now thinking of all kinds of scrabble tile necklaces. Although I never have much luck with crafts and usually end up with glue all over my hands and the end product looking like someone threw up glue all over it. But hey, maybe with practice? 😛
Thanks Chiara. I’m thinking of making some more – Divergent Factions this time!
There are some pictures I took which I didn’t show… right after I cut my finger with my blade and ended up bleeding all over the place….
But I’m sure others are less uncoordinated than I am and they’ll have no problems.
Also – gluing:. I used a paint brush. That way it was never on my fingers and never got anywhere I didn’t want it to.
I love what you’ve done here! These look awesome, you should wear one to PTALive tomorrow! I have never been a crafty person but I admire those who do. Great work Kate!
That is the cutest thing I’ve seen! So precious! My goodness, I couldn’t pull that off, you’re far too modest in making out it’s easy. You should create a few others and start selling. I’ll be purchasing if you wanted to try keychains. The list is endless. So talented and creative <3
Keychains are actually I was thinking about doing but wasn’t sure how durable they would be… but maybe not everyone else is as rough on their keys as I am…. 😛
Awww, that is so cute! I love it!! I make little crafty things all the time, but I’ve never done necklaces…I totally want to try this. 😉
I’d never done necklaces before either. But these turned out better than expected. Also made some Divergent faction ones that I really like. Can’t wait to stalk your blog and see you show off your crafty creations 🙂
That is so cool! I wish that I was more creative! Maybe one day I’ll get there 🙂
I really like how they turned out. If you’re looking for an easy project – these are definitely easy. And best of luck being more creative! 😀 I’d love to see what you come up with .
Love it! I’ve purchased some book-necklaces from Etsy for friends, but it much more awesome to make them yourself, go you for being all crafty!
Thanks! But I doubt I’ll ever be as crafty as you. I swear- you manicures are like little works of art on your hands!
That is a good tip especially to those new to the
blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!