How to Make Custom Italian Charms
The Italian charm bracelet is a different take on a classic charm bracelet. Instead of a length of chain with charms dangling from the links, Italian charm bracelets incorporate images into each link. The links are joined together on a stretchy band that slides over the wearer's wrist. Making your own customized Italian charms saves you money and gives you the freedom to tell your personal story through your Italian charm bracelet.
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Things You'll Need
- Photo, scrapbook paper or stickers
- Blank photo charms
- Craft knife
- Clear dimensional adhesive with application tip
- Needle
Instructions
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1
Choose the image you would like to use for each charm. Resize photographs with photo-editing software to the size indicated on the blank charm packaging, or look for scrapbook paper or stickers with patterns small enough to fit within a link.
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2
Measure and trace the link outline on the back of your selected image. Cut out the image with a craft knife, making it just smaller than the frame of the link.
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3
Apply a thin layer of dimensional adhesive to the back of your image, and press it firmly into the blank charm. Cover the image with a thick, even layer of adhesive. Start at the top corner, and work your way down and across the image, applying even pressure the entire way.
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4
Puncture any air bubbles in the glaze with the tip of a sharp needle. Allow the charm to dry for several hours. Dimensional adhesive requires two to three hours of drying time for every millimeter of thickness. Measure from the side of the charm with a ruler to determine drying time. A single thick layer applied to your blank charm should dry in about nine hours.
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Link the hook end of each charm to the loop of the next charm to connect them. Continue adding charms until your bracelet reaches the desired length.
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Tips & Warnings
Stamp paper with alcohol-based inks to create your own designs for your charms.
Work on a newspaper or paper towel to prevent damage to your work surface.
Jewelry parts are a choking hazard to young children.
Print any images with alcohol-based ink only. Water-soluble inks will run when you apply Diamond Glaze to them.
References
- Photo Credit craft a card! image by Shirley Hirst from Fotolia.com
