How To: DIY Photo Necklaces and Photo Magnets

In my previous post I gave you a sneak peek at my latest DIY project.  I've made several of these necklaces lately for Christmas gifts and client gifts and I thought I would share the instructions so that you can make them too! 

Materials needed:

• Glass tiles (these come in a variety of shapes and sizes.)
• Photographs printed on photo paper
• Scissors or exacto knife
• Wax paper
• Paper towels
• Toothpicks
• Clear drying craft glue (e.g. Diamond Glaze or Mod Podge)
• Super glue or E6000
• Jewelry bails and necklace chains

I bought all of my supplies through Sun and Moon Craft Kits. They can also be found at local craft stores or online jewelry supply stores. 

1.  Before you make the necklaces, you will need to select a photo or two to use as your image. Once you select your photo, use Photoshop or another image editing software to size the image to the approximate size of your tiles. You can fit several small images on one 4x6 print.

2.  Once you have your materials gathered and your photos printed, you are ready to get to work!  Start by covering your work surface with a sheet of wax paper. 

3.  Cut your image to match the size of your glass tile. It should be just a bit smaller than the glass tile. (about 1 mm smaller all the way around) This allows the glue to seal around the edges. I also rounded the corners a bit to make the images match the shape of the tiles better. 

4.  Next, coat the flat side of the glass tile with a thin coat of glaze and gently place your trimmed image face-down onto the tile. If there is excess glaze, quickly wipe it away with a toothpick or paper towel.  Allow to dry for about an hour.

 

5.  Once dry, put another layer of glaze over the back of the photo to seal it. Let this dry completely, about 5-6 hours or overnight.

6.  Glue a bail to the back of the pendant using a super glue such as E6000. Place a small drop where you would like the top of the necklace to be, and press the bail into the glue. Let dry for about an hour.

7.  Place your chain through the bail and your necklace is ready to wear!

*To make this into a magnet:

Instead of using a bail, simply glue a small magnet onto the back of the finished tile. 

DIY Photo Necklaces and Magnets

Sneak peek of a DIY photo project I'm working on. Stay tuned for the full how-to post later this week!

Unique photo gifts {Minneapolis Children's Photography}

Loving my new Fancy Frame! Get yours here:  http://www.sarahelizabethphotos.com/holiday-gifts-2012.html

5 Holiday Photo Gifts to Surprise Someone Special {Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN Children's Photography}

I'm excited to offer several new photo gifts this year, just in time for holiday shopping! To view pricing and see more photos, visit my Holiday Gifts Page. Contact me today to place your order!

Metal Photo Ornaments

• 12 ornament shapes to choose from, sized 3.5"x4.5" or 4"x4"
• Eco-friendly 100% recycled aluminum
• Magnet can be added to back of the ornament to enjoy all year
• Comes with a single drill hole and white ribbon for easy hanging

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Standout Prints

A Standout Print is the perfect contemporary mounting option that doesn’t require a frame to hang on the wall. The sleek edges and sides of the Standout mount can create a modern wall display with the focus all on the image.  Your print is mounted to lightweight foam with the edge of your choice. Choose from popular sizes between 8x10” and 30x40” and two different depths (3/4" or 1 1/2"). Holes are added to the backside making it ready to hang as soon as it arrives.

Prices vary based on size, depth and edge choice. Please contact me for a full price list.

 

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Fancy Frames

Turn your favorite photo into fancy, fun art.

• Four shapes to choose from
• Four color choices (black, white, baby blue and pink) with distressed detailing. 
• Sizes include 5x7, 8×10 and 10×10 sizes
• Comes ready to hang with print mounted on Styrene and framed
• Lustre Coating added to print for protection
• Use a photo from your session, or email me your own photo. (need not be a past client to order.)

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Mini Albums
The Mini Album, which measures 3×3 inches, is a terrific portable option for showing off your images. It's perfect for tucking in your purse or displaying on your desk at work. The best part is that there are 10 panels to fill with your favorite images, along with a customizable front and back. The albums are sold in sets of three; so keep one album for yourself and let the others be great gifts and brag books for the grandparents or other family members!
(Use images from your session, or mix and match with some of your own photos.)

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Photo Necklaces
These beautiful, sterling silver pieces are a wonderful way to keep your loved ones close to your heart. Necklaces feature your favorite photo in a sterling silver charm, and a 16" or 18" ball chain. These necklaces are great gifts for moms, grandmas, wives, best friends, sisters...or order one for yourself! 
(The photo can be from a Sarah Elizabeth Photography session, or it can be a personal photo that you email to me.)

Mini Cards {Featured Product | Minneapolis St. Paul Photography}

I'm excited to add Mini Cards as one of my new products!  Mini Cards are about half the size of a standard business card and are a great way to share your photos. They have rounded corners and come in a sleek silver case. Card designs are fully customizable; I have several templates to choose from, or we can design one from scratch. The best part is that you have the option of a different image on the front of every card (same image on the back) so the possibilities are endless! These are fantastic for high school seniors to pass out to their friends, or for moms to use as playdate cards. They would be a fun way to announce the birth of a new baby or to hand out with party favors at a birthday party.  Contact me for more information on designing your own Mini Cards!

  

Baby Announcements {Featured Product | Minneapolis Newborn Photography}

I've had such cute newborns to photograph this spring and their baby announcements and mini-albums have turned out so beautifully, I just had to share some of them!  The mini-albums are included with all newborn sessions and are great way to carry your photos with you in your purse, or give as a gift to family members. The announcements are double-sided and fully customizable - a wonderful way to announce your precious little one in style!

Grad Party Guestbook {Featured Product | Minneapolis High School Senior Photography}

I recently put together this amazing guest book for Jenna, who is graduating from high school this spring.  The book features photos from her senior photo session and also has lots of spaces for guests to sign at her graduation party.  The pages have spaces for guests to share memories and also areas with fun questions to answer about Jenna. One of my favorite features are the lay-flat pages, which are specially crafted so the book lays perfectly flat when opened, making it super easy to page through and to sign. I can't wait to hear how it turns out at her party! 

Valentine's Gift Certificates {Photography Gift Idea}

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Sarah Elizabeth Photography is now offering gift certificates!  Certificates can be purchased in any amount and come beautifully packaged. 

This year, surprise your special someone with a custom portrait session or get a few cards as gifts for friends and loved ones.  They truly make a great gift for any occasion.

To order yours, please contact me at: sarahelizabethphotos@gmail.com

Fancy Frames | Holiday Photo Gifts

Fancy Frames 

Turn your favorite photo into fancy, fun art. 

• Four shapes to choose from (Ornate, Bombay, Tuscan and Hampton) 
• Four color choices (black, white, baby blue and pink) with distressed detailing. 
• Sizes include 8×10 and 10×10 sizes 
• Come ready to hang with print mounted on styrene and framed 
• Lustre coating added to print for protection (glass not available with Fancy Frames) 
• Use a photo from your session with me, or email me your own photo. (need not be a past client to order.)

  

Visit my website to purchase Fancy Frames and other holiday photo gifts. 

Custom Designed Holiday Cards | Minneapolis, MN Photography

Tonight I'm unveiling my new Photo Card Designs for the 2011 Holiday Season! Head on over to my website to view the designs, and to imagine your photos beautifully showcased in these unique cards. There are 17 designs at the moment, with plans to add a few more. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know which are your favorites!

Product Showcase {Wall Collage}

Have you ever been faced with a large wall to decorate and not know where to begin? My new oversized wall collages are a great solution!
Collages come in a variety of designs and sizes. Simply select your design, select your prints, and your collage will arrive ready to hang. Prints are mounted on thick styrene, so no framing is necessary. Your collage comes with a grid to make installation easy, or you may choose to have me install it for you.



One of my favorite features of the collage is that it's easy to add or replace a single photo as your family grows or as you update with new pictures.





Here is a close-up showing the thickness of the print and backing:



These are just a few of the designs available:



Message me for more info on design options and pricing.  Or, better yet, send a photo of your wall and I will suggest a collage design especially for you!

Product Showcase {Storyboards}

A storyboard is a wonderful way to tell the story of your session or a special day through a modern photo collage. So, what exactly is a storyboard? A storyboard is a print that is adhered to a 2mm thick styrene board.
The two boards that are pictured here are the 10"x5" size. This size is perfect for propping up on on a desk, or adding to a photo collection on a shelf. I offer a variety of sizes, with varying amounts of photos. Larger storyboards are great for displaying on an easel or for hanging on your wall. (no frame needed!)