Obsidian Moon Crafts
Unlike other gemstone varieties used in arts and crafts, obsidian does not have a crystal structure and is instead the result of volcanic lava that reacted to water. The quick cooling of the lava when it meets a body of water results in obsidian, which is distinguished by a glass-like texture with a dark green to black hue due to contents of magnesium and iron. Obsidian can be cut into a variety of shapes, including moon shapes, to be used for a number of craft projects for all ages.
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Faux Stone Orbs
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Faux stone orbs made of polystyrene foam and decorated with fake gems or real gemstones, such as obsidian, make for an ornamental touch when placed as decoration on tables or shelves around the home. Orbs using obsidian moons may reflect an overall celestial theme or concentrate on the moon as the primary shape. Materials for making the orbs include two 2-inch and one 3-inch polystyrene foam ball, plaster/foam finisher, sandpaper, spray paint, craft glue, obsidian moon shapes and additional gems if desired. Balls should be coated in foam finisher and sanded to remove any roughness before being painted. After the paint dries, the obsidian moon shapes and any additional gems are applied using the craft glue.
Jewelry
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With multiple varieties and shapes available, obsidian can be used to make different styles of jewelry. In addition to the general dark green/black hued obsidian, the gemstone is available in several variations, including sheen obsidian, which is characterized by a gold-hued sheen; rainbow obsidian, which has a multi-colored sheen; snowflake obsidian, where white crystals inside the gem create a snowflake effect; and Apache Tears, which are small, smooth, and round pieces of obsidian naturally shaped by water and wind exposure. With the exception of Apache Tears, which are distinguished by their naturally occurring appearance, many of these varieties can be used to create a obsidian moon jewelry set including earrings, a necklace and a bracelet. Creating this set requires a pair of crimping or needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, crimping beads and jewelry wire. In addition to moon-shaped pieces of obsidian, individuals may wish to use glass or other gemstone beads. Techniques for making the jewelry set depend on the desired design, but should be kept simple to ensure the obsidian stands out as a central feature. Too many additional colors or complicated shapes may make the set appear unbalanced and overwhelming to the eye.
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Jeweled Box
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Boxes adorned with moon-shaped obsidian pieces can be used for both decorative and practical purposes, such as jewelry or keepsake boxes. Individuals can opt for a pre-made unfinished box or for making their own box by gluing together craft sticks. Both pre-made and handmade boxes will require sanding and painting before the application of the obsidian pieces. Paint colors should be chosen to offset the color of the obsidian. In addition, other semi-precious gemstones or faux gems can be used to create more colorful designs on the lid and sides of the box. As with choosing paint, choosing gems in colors that complement the obsidian will best highlight the moon-shaped gem's natural attributes.
Clay Photograph Frames
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A kid-friendly project, obsidian moon adorned clay photograph frames are made with air-hardening clay, gemstones, magnets, glue and a card for the backing. Clay is rolled onto a flat surface and cut into the desired shape, with a center hole to frame the photograph. While the clay is still malleable, the obsidian moon shapes should be pressed into the surface of the clay. After allowing the clay to harden for several days, the backing can be set in place using double-sided tape, and a magnet, if desired, can be glued to the backing.
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References
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
