Retired - Portrait in Blue Brooch

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Begin by finding an image to use for your pendant. Be creative. Look at scrapbooking materials or copyright-free images. If you choose to print out your own copyright-free image from the internet, be sure to have it printed on a color laser printer, as opposed to an inkjet printer. Inkjet images are water soluble and have a tendency to run when the glaze is applied. We have chosen a portrait of a young girl painted by the Rococo artist, Jean-Baptiste Perronneau.
2. After you find your image, carefully cut it out to the size of your Patera pendant. It is easiest to use McGill oval paper punch tool (XTL-7726) to cut your oval into the perfect size and shape to fit in the Patera finding, but you can also cut the image out by hand using sharp scissors or an X-Acto knife. It is best to err on the side of being too large, as you can always trim the image down. Depending on how thin the paper your image is on, you might want to first glue down a piece of plain white paper so that the image doesn't get too dark when you apply the glaze.
3. Using a soft paintbrush, paint a thin layer of the Nunn Design Sealant on the reverse of your image. Allow to dry fully. Repeat this step on the face of the image as well.
4. Once the sealant has dried, paint a thin layer of the Nunn Design Glue on the back of the image and press it firmly into the Patera finding. Allow the glue to dry.
5. Once you have your image glued in place, you must now apply the Gel Du Soleil Resin. Do not shake the bottle, but gently squeeze out enough resin to fill the pendant. Move the pendant around so that the resin spreads out to the edges, fully covering the image. At this time, if you notice that any bubbles have formed, pop them with a pin or needle. You don't want bubbles dried into your final design! Please watch our video on Gel Du Soleil for further instruction.
6. Place the pendant into the UV light (average drying time is 5 - 10 minutes), or if you don't have the UV light, place the pendant in a sunny spot and allow to dry (drying time slightly longer without using the UV light).
7. Once the Gel Du Soleil is dry, begin to make the pearlescent seed bead border. Cut a length of Fireline which is approximately eight inches long. Onto the Fireline, string enough cream pearl 11/0 Czech seed beads to fit comfortably around the rim of the portrait.
8. Tie a surgeon's knot in the Fireline, joining the two ends of the seed beads so that it forms a loop. Trim off excess Fireline.
9. Using a toothpick or a piece of wire, spread a thin line of E6000 around the outside of the rim on the brooch.
10. Snap your loop of seed beads into place around the rim, pressing them firmly into the E6000. Set this aside to dry.
11. Cut six pieces of 24 gauge Artistic wire at two inches long each.
12. Create two sets of three adjoining wire wrapped loop segments, each segment containing a small light sapphire AB Austrian crystal bicone with a pearlescent seed bead on either side of it.
13. Onto a headpin, thread an 8mm Austrian crystal pearl and a scalloped antiqued silver filigree bead cap. Create a simple wire loop at the top of the headpin and trim off excess wire.
14. Open three round antiqued silver jump rings.
15. Use one of the jump rings to attach one of the sets of wrapped wire loop segments to one of the loops on the side of the brooch. Use a second jump ring to attach the other set of wrapped wire loop segments to the loop on the other side of the brooch. Close both of these jump rings.
16. Use the third jump ring to join the bottom of the two segments of wrapped wire loops, and also to attach the 8mm Austrian crystal pearl drop to the two segments of wrapped wire loops. Close the last jump ring.
17. Finally, spread a small amount of E6000 on the pin back finding and press it firmly against the back of the brooch, horizontally and toward the top. Set the brooch aside to dry for at least twenty four hours before wearing.

• FCO-4521 -
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• BCS-1172 - Czech Seed Beads Size 11/0 Antiqued Cream Pearl (1 Hank/4000 Beads)
  Project uses 7 inches. You will need 1 package.


• SWBB-1332 - Austrian Crystal, 5328 Bicone Beads 3mm, 25 Pieces, Light Sapphire AB
  Project uses 6 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-3092 - Antiqued Silver Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 3 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SWP-8003 - Austrian Crystal, 5810 Round Faux Pearl Beads 8mm, 25 Pieces, Creamrose Light
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• BMB-4302 - Antiqued Silver Plated Filigree Spiral Bead Caps 8mm (4)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• FCO-9040 - Silver Tone Glue On Bar Pin Back 3/4 Inch (20mm) (24 Pieces)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• WNT-2430 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Silver Color Copper Wire 24 Gauge 30 Yards (27.4 Meters)
  Project uses 1 foot. You will need 1 package.


• FHP-5323 - Silver Plated Head Pins 1.5 Inches Long/21 Gauge (x50)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-1278 - FireLine Braided Beading Thread, 6lb Test and 0.006 Thick, 50 Yards, Crystal Clear
  Project uses 8 inches. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1032 - Nunn Design Sealant Protectant 2 oz. - For Patera Findings (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1031 - Nunn Design Glue Adhesive 2 oz. - For Patera Findings (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1017 - Gel Du Soleil UV Epoxy Dimensional Gloss for Crafts & Jewelry 0.3 Fl. Oz.
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers