Another Miniature Project - Wood Tiles

Today I spent a little time covering more charm size prints with resin.  While those set, I started another project where I glue prints on 2 1/4" x 1 1/5" wood tiles (also have 1 1/2" square wood tiles I'm working on.)  Once glue sets, I'm brushing mod podge over each piece.

I like the fact they will stand on their own or you can add magnets to the back.  I might try eye hooks for hanging if I can find the hooks small enough to work in the sides without splitting the wood.  All sorts of ideas are whirling around in my head in which I can display these.

Still At It - Resin and Bezel Trays

I can only do so many at a time with all the steps involved and limited space on the tray I have to use to set these up on.

It's a definite and works quite well, sealing with Mod Podge first.  Two coats on the front and two coats on the back allowing drying time between coats.

After waiting at least 24 hours following the last layer of Mod Podge, I pour the resin over the front.  If I plan to place in a bezel tray, I do not flip and repeat on the back.  Not all will go into trays and with those, I will flip and repeat the resin pour and then while set but still pliable, I will drill a hole for a jump ring to be placed.

Resin pour, covering with dust cover, and allowing to set for twelve hours.

Top left - those I have sealed and still need resin.  Top right are still those I need to seal before doing anything else.  Top middle are those with resin I will probably flip and cover in resin for jump rings later.  Far left and far right of the key chains are my test pieces sealed using Matte Fixable Spray (which I will not use again due to how it darkens or changes the color of each piece) or one I didn't seal at all.  Key chains are being used as interchangeable frames for mini art.  For now I am not setting the miniatures permanently in each tray allowing me to change out other miniatures from time to time.

Method of Displaying.

Trial and Error with Resin

Another idea I'm working on is printing off tiny charm or jewelry size prints of my illustrations.  Mostly in bezel trays and some without.  I've never worked with resin so this is a work in progress with trial and error.

First try is printing off on Epson Ultra Premium Presentation paper miniature paintings about the size 1" x 1 3/8'  using my Christmas gift from hubby - Epson XP 15000 photo printer.  That's taking some playing as well as I learn what it can do on various papers.  The prints came out beautifully.

Next is using different methods of sealing the prints so that the resin doesn't cause the ink to bleed (to include a test seeing what happens if not sealed).

Two prints I chose to seal with Blair's Matte Fixable spray that I use all the time spraying graphite drawings and watercolor paintings on Aquaboard.  It has always worked great so I thought it would be perfect to seal the inkjet prints.  I notice they are taking on a darker tone.

Three prints I chose to brush on Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre-Lustre with the red label with two coats.  As hard as I tried to get a nice even coating, you could see slight brush streaks even after dry.

The resin I am using is from Little-Windows.com.  I purchased their starter kit to see if it would be something to continue with or go a different route.  Too soon to decide at this point but may be more involved than I care to deal with.

After mixing and pouring the resin over each, it didn't take long to start seeing the effects.

First Time Results:

I will not be using the Blair Fixable Spray as it darkens the paper turning it a buff color.

Those with the Mod Podge remained white and clear.  The brush streaks don't appear to be as noticeable but I'll have a better idea late tonight or tomorrow when I can examine it closely and under good lighting.

And forget skipping the step of sealing the inkjet prints.  The resin caused the ink to bleed giving the piece a pink tone and washed out image.

Mod Podge definitely wins this round.  I want to try Sakura 3D Clear Lacquer once it gets here :-)

Once the 12 hour waiting time is up, I want to repeat the resin on the back of the top three I'm using as experiments and then test out drilling holes at the top for jump rings.   The other three I will probably place in bezel trays I have to make keychains

Opal from Logo Design to the Real Deal

For those who know me and follow my blog, Opal is a miniature bear I often use as a model for sketching and painting.

After I worked a possible sketchers' group logo, I wanted to find a way to actually dress this little bear wearing a hat and backpack.

A dear lady (Steph) at "In a Nutshell Miniatures" shop in Tavares, Florida, specializes in miniatures from doll houses to furniture to accessories and food.  When I mentioned what I was hoping to do, she had me come by the shop and we worked on making my wish happen.  I sat across from her as we looked at various fabrics and she created the miniature backpack and dressed up a miniature raffia hat.

I also bought a miniature composition book, plain journal book and pencil to the scale I needed but haven't quite figured out how I want to attach without making it permanent with glue.