The blueprint of... is an article serie where we’re taking a closer look on an Artisan Crafts deviation and how it's made.


Today we are dissecting Red wave glass tile pendant by ~inchworm

First off, please introduce yourself?

My name is Petra and I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I’m 27 and have been making and selling jewellery as a hobby for four or five years now. I’m currently undertaking a PhD in psychology and am training to be a clinical psychologist.

Please explain what we are viewing.

You are viewing a tile glass pendant 22mm x 47mm x 5mm thick. The image is from beautiful Japanese chiyogami/washi paper which depicts waves in a beautiful rusty red with white caps and gilt highlighting. The wave design is modeled on a woodblock print by 18-19th Century Japanese artist Hokusai called The Great Wave off Kanagawa: [link]
I have this print both in blue and red and both have been very popular items. Tile glass pendants are a great way to display the art that you love to those around you. Pretty much anything printed on paper can be displayed in this way.

Can you describe for a layman how it’s made?

I learnt out to make these pendants using this tutorial: [link]
I use PVA glue to glue my image onto plain white printer paper on which I have printed text (at the moment I am using Darwin’s Origin of Species). The text is on the back of the image and makes the image a little more robust. I use Diamond Glaze to adhere the image to the tile and also to paint coats of glaze to the back of the paper – I use around four coats. I use E-6000 glue to adhere the bail to the back of the finished tile. In order to clear up leaked glaze on the edges of the glass I use a cotton bud to apply acetone (nail polish remover) to the affected areas which softens the glue. I then use a craft knife (exacto knife/box cutter) to scrape the softened glue off.

What tools did you use?

I make all my jewellery in the lounge of my house. I haul my supplies out and do batches of pendants at a time. The only tools I use for the tile glass pendants are a paint brush for the glaze, a craft knife to scrape dried glue from the tile in the final stages, and a electric heat pad designed for brewing beer to place the pendants on after glueing/glazing in order to dry faster (this is especially useful for setting the diamond glaze in my bottle cap pendants!).

What was your inspiration in creating this?

I had previously made two blue wave tile glass pendants:

I found this beautiful red wave paper and knew that people would love it

How long time did it take you to make this?

I made this pendant as part of a batch. A batch will usually be made over two days. On the first day I glue the paper to the glass tile and apply the glaze coats – if I didn’t have a heat pad I might have to do these steps over two days. On the second day I scrape of excess glaze and attach the bails. The next day the glue should be set and the pendants ready to go.

Did you run into anything unexpected while creating?

I’ve actually ironed out most of the problems in the production of the pendants, so nothing to report!

Are you happy with the result?

Very happy. The paper section looks great on the tile, and I’ve actually already sold it!

Where have you learnt your skills in this area?

I have been making glass tiles since March 2009. Before that I made exclusively beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Many of the basic skills of jewellery design and production have flowed nicely to my new pendant projects. Learning how to use the different glues has been trial and error – all based on that tutorial I linked to previously. The internet has taught me everything I know

Do you take your own photos? Any tips you want to share for presenting your work?

Yes I do! I’m a little old-school, I don’t have any special lighting gear. I only take photos during the day, preferably in direct sunlight. This is better in summer when the days are longer and the sun in higher in the sky. As it’s winter here now, my recent photos tend to have long shadows! I always use a flash on my digital camera, and usually increase the white balance, I also always use the macro function otherwise everything it out of focus. I like a white background so use either my white vinyl display bust or a piece of white material when I lay the pieces flat.

For post production I use Paint Shop Pro and normally increase the brightness and sharpen the image. To sum it up: light, light, light, light. It’s not often I have to decrease the brightness post production.

What is the best tip you can give to others wanting to test this craft/material/technique?

Be patient! Don’t rush the process or you may create an inferior product. It also might cost a little bit to set up, although there are suppliers on Etsy that sell small packs with all the bits you need if you just want to make some jewellery for yourself, for presents, or as part of a jewellery party!

Are you selling your work?

Yes I am. I sell through Trademe, which is the New Zealand equivalent of Ebay. Here is a link to my store: [link] If you’re not from New Zealand or Australia you can contact me directly if you would like a piece, I have sent pieces of the US the UK and Europe. I can also make custom pieces.




Thank you ~inchworm for participating and taking the time to answer my question!

//`Myana

I'd love to recive suggestions for next "victim" to interview! Note me with a link to the deviation you'd like to know more about and I'll contact the deviant.




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