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I have recieved a number of requests for the details of how to do these coasters. I have pmed a number of members but thought it might be easier to give the details here.
There are also more coasters and glossed cds in my gallery.
The coasters are wooden blanks by Kaisercrafts, they are 3.5'' x 4.5''.
I paint them with 2-3 coats of Lumieres. I then stamp them using stazon inkpad. Stamps with solid areas don't seem to work as well. I colour areas in with H2Os or watercolour pencils. This is to add defination not to colour in solidly. I then glue on bling or metal charms (not too bulky) or add stickles/kindy glitz. When all is dry I then gloss.
I use a 2 part (resin & hardner) gloss medium. Here (Australia) it is made by Craftsmart Aust. and is sold in Spotlight and Bunnings . These are a craft and a hardware chain store. In the hardware store it is where the varnishes are sold. It is also used by those who do decoupage intead of doing up to 50 coats of gloss varnish.
It is mixed in a plastic cup (can not be reused) in equal portions and stirred to be fully mixed. Bubbles will appear, this is ok. You now slowly and carefully pour a small amount in the centre, letting it self level. You need to be working on a level surface and place you coaster on top of a tin or like to make it easier to do the edges and also pick up and put aside. MUST BE KEPT LEVEL UNTIL DRY. It forms it's own rolled edge so just keeping adding to the pool working out to the edge. It takes patience but it is worth it.
DO NOT let it drip over the edge as it will just keep on dripping over.
Now to blow out the air bubbles, either use drinking straws to blow, change straws so condensation will not dribble down the straw. I now use a microjet gun like used in cooking to burn the sugar on creme brulees. This is a lot easier and quicker.
Now move aside to dry for 24 hrs. After this can be touched but is fully cured and heat resistent in 3 weeks. When dry I then glue a thin piece of cork onto the back with a strong gel glue. I buy this cork in sheets at the craft store.
The gloss is a bit expensive to buy first up, but i use 2 capfulls of each part to a coaster. Do do mix up a lot at a time as it will thicken and the bubbles won't come out as easily. I have done a lot of these and as quick as I am now in doing this I would only mix up enough for 4 coasters at a time.
These seems like it is a lot of info but once you make these you will be addicted and it is fun and great presents.
Sorry Teri, I was away for the weekend.
I paint the wooden blanks with Lumieres and I paint the edges and slightly over the edge on the back. The gloss is taken right to the edge but not over. If the gloss drips over the edge it just seems to pull the rest of the gloss over the edge and you can spend ages scraping to try to get it to stop.
As the gloss self levels you don't need to spread it out, I start a with a pool in the centre and slowly add to it. It creates it's own rolled edge so it is just a matter of taking the gloss close enough so that it's own edge sits on the edge of the coaster.
When it is dry I cover the back with a thin piece of cork.
So the coasters edges are only the paint but mine have never peeled or bubbled.
When I look at all of the directions it seems so daunting but once you do one or two and see how the gloss behaves it is really relaxing making these.
I current have about 36 painted and stamped waiting to be glossed.
Thanks for reminding me, LOL
Wow! I can't wait to try these! I hope the medium is easy to find here in the US!
Do you think the coaster material matters much? Would chipboard coasters or coasters from restaurants be strong enough?
Mommystamps, I was thinking the same thing - but I found that the wooden coasters are only $.18 at my local craft store. I am going to do these for sure.
I haven't used cardboard coaster as the wooden ones are only .49c each here. I would think if you are looking at them to be used regulary it is worth using the wooden ones.
Did I mention I have done exactly the same technique to decorate old CDs . They do have a hole in them but they can still be used as a coaster or attached to the front of a square card.
To hide the back of these a do a couple coats of lumiere paint.
You can check out a couple of these in my gallery. The baby (great nephew) card and I think I have uploaded another one.
In the US, you can purchase EnviroTex Lite. It's a pour-on high gloss finish and can be found at any major craft store, such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. It's basically a 2-part epoxy, containing one bottle of resin and one bottle of hardener which you mix in a 1:1 ratio. It comes in several different sizes (I think the largest I've seen is 32 ounces, which would probably be the most economical for the coasters). HTH!
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Wow, thanks Linda, I have been looking for the equivalent of the 2 step epoxy here in the US. I will hit my Michael's and look for the Envirotex. I definately want to make some of these for Christmas!
Thanks again, Misha, for sharing the technique.
Rachael
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful project. I have a houseful of grandkids this week. Might be just the project for the older ones. I'll have to get to Michaels today.
Lumiere are paints which come in either metallic or pearl finish. They have the ost beautiful colour range.
Thay also look great on chipboard.
Sorry I don't know where they are sold in the USA as I am in Australia.
Jump on a plane and I will take you to where I get mine, LOL
Michaels, art supply stores...they are my favorite paints. I LOVE THEM, lol. They are beautiful on fabrics, too...they have a lovely shimmer and when dry you can't even feel a difference in the fabric, even on silk. Yummy....
I too am not too far outside of Melbourne, well 60kms isn't too far outside of Melbourne is it ;). I was wondering where you get your Lumiere's from? I have a 3 little testy tube type things of them. Can you also tint them with PP's or with acrylics if you get the white one?
Thanks
Sue in Pakenham (the Melbourne edge of South Gippsland)
Hi Sue, I am in Croydon. I buy my Lumieres from my friends scrapbooking ( really more stamping) shop here in Croydon. There is another shop near me in Blackburn which also sells them. I have been to Pakenham but not sure exactly of surrounding suburbs etc and distance. I know it isn't close but do you go to Mornington ? There is the very big shop Paper squared they might have them. If you can give me some areas might go to I might be more of a help. Are you going to Paperific in October 17-19 at the Melb. showgrounds ?
If you really wanted some paints my friend is having a stall at the show and I could ask her to take some paints along.
Sorry Sue just realised I didn't answer your other questions. I am not sure what PPs are. I haven't but I have heard of people tinting white with reinkers. Because Debbie has their beautiful colours I just buy the jars. Thay are around $10-$11 per jar, but they last. I have around 12 colours.
I am in Australia so I can't answer the question for you but the ones I get are made by Kaiser. They are the craft people who make the packets of bling and half pearls that are packaged in a spiral shape. If you find a craft shop who carries these they might be able to get in the coasters. Kaiser make craft wood products that can be decorated eg. clocks,trays,wall plaques,mag. holders, large letters(A B C). They also do scrapbooking papers etc.
Finally got around to taking a photo of some that I've made recently - thanks for the idea, Misha!! All in the Family coaster set
Thought the liquid glass seemed a bit expensive but I'm only just over half way through the bottles and I've done 24 coasters so far so it will work out okay by the time I finish all the ones I want to do.
Finally got around to taking a photo of some that I've made recently - thanks for the idea, Misha!! All in the Family coaster set
Thought the liquid glass seemed a bit expensive but I'm only just over half way through the bottles and I've done 24 coasters so far so it will work out okay by the time I finish all the ones I want to do.
Hi, they look great. Where did you get your gloss from and how much did you pay for which size bottles ? I see you have listed outback for your location so was it hard to find ?
Our nearest town is Broken Hill and there is a little craft shop in there that had the glass. It's the kind of shop that looks a hundred years old and there are bits and pieces from all crafts. Was surprised to see it there actually. The one I got is called Aristocrat Liquid glass and cost $30 for the two bottles 8oz each. It says on the packet that one ounce will cover 37square inches.
And thanks for the comment - LOL - yes it is addictive! I went to a retreat where we had a swap happeneing and I made 12 of them for that - painted the coaster and stamped the cup and steam from Like it a Latte and the name of the retreat. Turned out really well.
I have bought mine at Bunnings hardware. The brand I buy is Craftsmart Australia and it comes in a few sizes. The smaller is 125ml per bottle for around $23 , 250ml for $30 and then 500ml and 1 Litre bottles . I can't remember how much they are, too much $ to out lay in one hit but I am certain I have bought nearly 2 litres all up over time anyway. I have found another craft store near me which had the 250 ml size for only $20, I don't know whether this is mis-priced but I think I will go back this week and buy some before they realise, LOl.
Today I am going to upload another couple I have made for my nephews teachers for Christmas presents at the end of the year. I used my Just Rire stamper to put the childs and the teachers names on them.
Yes, my name is Kathleen and I am a coaster addict.
I have some more coasters uploaded in my gallery if you would like to have a look.
Also if you scroll through my gallery you will see where I have done old CDs
I have found another craft store near me which had the 250 ml size for only $20, I don't know whether this is mis-priced but I think I will go back this week and buy some before they realise, LOl.
Go back! GO BACK!!
How do you work out how much you need to make up? I've been doing 8 coasters at a time and have found that an old egg cup of each the resin and the hardener will do them all perfectly. The first few were a hit hit and miss and either didn't have enough or had too much. ugh. Got it worked out now thankfully lol.
CDs into coasters .. hmmm ... they look cool, Misha. Will have to put my thinking cap on too.
I used to use the cap to measure out. Two caps of each bottle did a coaster or CD easily. But now I just eyeball it when pouring but always make sure you check the levels left in the bottle. Give the resin bottle time to run back down into the bottle as it is thicker than the hardner. They should always be equal . Did your instructions mention the ambient temperture should be 23C. If it is a colder day I bump up the ducted heating. They need 3 weeks to cure fully so you can place a hot mug etc on them.
I didn't buy the tape , I like the look of the rolled edge that the gloss gives when you take it right to the edge of the coaster.
Tina what do you use to get rid of the bubbles, the micro jet or a straw ?
The very first one I made I used the drinking store but ended up with a drop of condensation(DNA) on the CD.
I am having a problem at the moment with getting a good dipsoable lighter to give me consistant flame. I think I have bought lighters from every local shop lately.
Misha
Use a BBQ lighter. You know the ones that have the long nozzle/pipe thingy. Bunnings used to sell a little butane torch in the same section as the glasscoat. I'm not sure if they still have them as our local store has cut down on a lot of their craft items.
Tina
Glossed Drink Coasters
