Cute Strange Creatures

Cabochon necklaces – how I make them

I love to make cabochon necklaces. Actually, I’m crazy for crafting recently. I make pins, too. And bracelets. And whatever else I can think of. So this post is about my recent handmade endeavors.

It all starts with an image I’ve drawn.

I print it, cut it and glue it with decoupage glue onto the glass. I came to the conclusion that I have to put a lot of glue and clean afterwards. Otherwise, when the glue is dry little shiny spots remain on the image which are seen when light is falling from some angles. Like in this necklace with my ferret illustration:

Cabochon necklace fail - spots where I have not put a sufficient amount of the decoupage glue on. this handmade pendant with a funny ferret illustration

I’m also careful to not make bubbles in the glue. I put it with a brush with slow movements. Then I pop the bubbles which I see with the tip of the brush.

When the decoupage glue is dry, I varnish it a couple of times with matte varnish using a brush because I want to make sure it is waterproof and image will not be ruined if the necklace is dropped in water or a heavy rain pours onto it. I make test in running water to see where I need to add more varnish. Then make a photo of the spots which have become soaked. Draw on the photo to make it easier for me and then leave the cabochon glass with the image to dry.

Making of cabochons with images - testing if they are waterproof

When the cabochon has passed the running water test I clean the base (the bezel) to ensure there is no oil from the skin where I’ve touched it. If it is very smooth, I scratch it so that the glue sticks better. If it is one of the bezels on the upper photo there is no need for this.

Making of cabochon necklaces - scratching surface for better glue adhesion

Then I put the glue very carefully. I use E6000 transparent glue in a well ventilated area because its fumes are toxic. There is an applicator but I use a toothpick because I have better control that way. I put it on the base and then on the cabochon, too.

I press the cabochon onto the base and turn it upside down to use the weight of the metal base for pressing. I leave it for 72 hours as the instructions for the glue say and then the necklace is ready to be put on the chain. And that is everything.

Here are the some of the pendants which I’ve created up to now:

Cabochon necklace with stainless steel chain and original artwork of an orange moth and moon against dark purple background

Handmade cabochon necklace with a black string and bezel and original art of a colorful eye flower

Also, these pin buttons:

Handmade pinback button with original art of a pink beetle

Handmade pinback button with original art of a blue scarab beetle

And this stainless steel ring:

And lastly, this personalized bracelet with a photo of my lovely niece which was a gift for my sister:

Handmade photo bracelet with photo of a child

Just opened my Etsy store with cabochon necklaces. You can see them all here:

https://BorianaJewelry.etsy.com

Clay vegetables – funny broccoli, tomato, eggplant

I’m creating a lot in the material world recently, like these funny clay vegetables.

For a long time I wanted my drawn art to take a shape in the real world. Started experimenting with clay. One of the first figurines are some funny vegetables – tomato, eggplant and broccoli tiny toys:

Orange Moth and Moon Drawing

This moth drawing is one of my latest designs.

As an artist, I’m always inspired by the beauty of nature and the mysteries of the universe. That’s why I decided to create an illustration that combines these two elements: an orange moth and a crescent moon.

Green leaves pattern – dark botanical

Just updated this green leaves dark botanical pattern. Made it more balanced. This design features dark, almost black, background with brightly colored hand painted green leaves with ink drawn veins. The contrast between the dark background and the vibrant green leaves creates a bold and striking look. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this design also brings a sense of nature and the outdoors in a playful way due to the scattered leaves in seemingly not particular order.

Cute demon toys made from soft air drying material

These cute demon toys were created by request of my little daughter. The blue one appeared by just me playing with a strange soft air drying material. And my daughter loved it and took it to play with it. Then she said that it should have a girlfriend – a pink one. And so I made the girlfriend. She’s more cheerful – with a smile and holding a kawaii skull as does the blue demonic creature. Maybe I should make more of these cute goth toys.

Anyway, here are some photos: